The Grade 2 Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over 1200m at Kenilworth, a weight for age plus penalties event, is always a good pointer to the Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championships and on Saturday all eyes will be on the Diadem defending champion Trip To Heaven.
Trip to Heaven (JC Photographics)
Trip To Heaven put up probably the performance of the season last year in the Cape Flying. He is a notoriously slow starter and was left tailed off after dwelling in the stalls. However, he has excellent cruising speed and a devastating turn of foot. He showed it that day, as he went within 0,3 lengths of catching the subsequently named Equus Champion Sprinter Carry On Alice, despite having experienced traffic problems. This 1200m trip is more down his alley as it gives him more time to make up the leeway as he does see out the distance. He disappointed in three runs subsequent to the Cape Flying last season, but made an excellent comeback recently over 1160m at Turffontein. He lost about three lengths in the latter race and was flying home for a 1,2 length third, despite carrying 61,5kg and giving the winner Kangaroo Jack 1,5kg. He looks to be back in form and the six-year-old Trippi gelding will be attempting to repeat his effort last year, when losing two lengths yet still cruising in by 3,75 lengths.
Sergeant Hardy has won six out of ten starts at Kenilworth and won the Listed Southeaster Sprint last time over 1100m with 61kg on his back by a comfortable 1,75 lengths. He has a lot of pace and is ominously drawn one. He was drawn one for the Southeaster and Bernard Fayd’Herbe took him straight to the rail which he used to his advantage throughout the race.
A most interesting runner will be the three-year-old Mujaafy. Officially he is way out at the weights, but is unexposed. This good looking, rangy colt will relish the step up to this trip and will be able to use his big stride, as he is drawn two so will be able to sit behind Sergeant Hardy.
Wonderwall and Dutch Phillip are two other three-year-olds with both speed and class and they are sure to be thereabouts.
Always In Charge is a Grade 1-winning sprinter who now dons blinkers. He is capable of winning and Anton Marcus is aboard.
The talented but enigmatic Attenborough can never be written off, for if things go his way he packs a strong finish.
Search Party is ideally course and distance suited and has his third run after a layoff.
Eight-year-old Tevez proved last time out he is still capable of producing his familiar flying finish and he finished second in this race last year.
By David Thiselton
