The Summer Festival of Racing officially kicks off at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 23 November. The day’s highlight is the Gr 2 Punters Cup over 2000m, featuring an exciting lineup of supporting races, including the Listed WSB Sophomore Sprint, WSB Bantry Bay Stakes, Summer Bowl, and The Futurity Plate.
A variety of entertainment will be available, with a Trackside Market, Kids’ Zone, live music, and food trucks to enhance the festive atmosphere.
The Racing Pavilion will also host Syndicate Day, an exclusive event for all Cape Turf Club-approved syndicates. Contact us to learn more about becoming a member and joining the fun! (tammy@caperacing.co.za | 071 012 0486)
Gr 2 Cape Punters Cup Preview for Interbet
Mark van Deventer (Cape Racing)
At the risk of tempting fate, next week’s G1 Summer Cup at Turffontein seems much more difficult to solve than Saturday’s Punters Cup at Kenilworth, where Vaughan Marshall’s budding star, One Stripe stands out.
The son of One World has only lost twice in his five -start career. Once on debut when green and failing to land a market plunge from 10’s into 4/1. And then on his seasonal bow 42 days ago when beaten by Snow Pilot. But a close examination of that most recent start suggests that One Stripe is potentially an outstanding three-year-old with potent Cape Guineas credentials.
His conqueror, in fact, won the Cape Guineas in 2023 and now races off an OMR of 120. One Stripe conceded his year older foe a kilogram and succumbed by only a length. That is a remarkable performance for a still developing 3YO, borne out by an excellent speed figure of 100++ which could even go as high as 109.
It takes a fertile imagination to see anything getting to One Stripe on Saturday, based on those stellar numbers. Gavin Lerena should be able to work out a smooth, stalk and pounce trip on the bay One World colt, given that stable mate All out for Six, Captain West and On My Honour have gone forward willingly in their races.
All out for Six (s/s 99) should give a good sight racing on the lead; On My Honour ran a comparable fig of 99 on the Fairview Poly a month ago and Captain West (s/s 97) is drawn in pole position to launch his bid.
Justin Snaith’s Eight On Eighteen won the Langerman in mid- Winter with a surge from dead last to dismiss All out for Six by three quarters of a length. He should have matured physically in the past five months since then and can build on a speed figure of 100. That still falls short of what One Stripe is capable of, however.
Garrix comes in off a second start Maiden victory when backed like there was no tomorrow for settling. The speed fig he attained puts him in the mid 90’s – so Piet Steyn’s entry is clearly talented and with loads of scope, but he too has several lengths to make up on the 1/3 odds on favourite.
Grizzled punters know it is very difficult to make profits long- term backing horses deep in the red – a few losers quickly destroy any accumulated profits. Instead, some prefer hooking the “good thing”” up with other better priced horses across the cards in Doubles or longer Multiples.
Another reasonable ploy is to make them bankers in the Picks. There is no point in making the “easy” legs in the sequence harder than necessary by covering against the hot pot getting rolled. That’s if you, indeed believe he is a genuine stand-out who just about must fall down to lose.
At the early prices 14/1, On My Honour could be the value underneath. He might not transfer his PE Poly form to the Kenilworth lawn but, if he does, then a speculative, cold Exacta of One Stripe over outsider, On My Honour could prove worthwhile.
Grades:
A = 5 C = 2 3 4
