As a trainer who has dominated the Cape Fillies Guineas in recent times with four wins in the last seven renewals he knows exactly how good a horse has to be to win it.
He said, “You have to have a superstar to win it and this year’s three-year-old fillies are very good. Sunset Tripp is doing very well and for a filly to run third in the Ready To Run Stakes was impressive. We would have preferred a better draw, but she is doing very well, she has no niggles, she is hassle free, and is a real trier.”
If she proves not good enough to win, she could at least play an important role as the pacemaker as she did in the Ready To Run Stakes. This is especially in light of trainer Glen Kotzen saying that his charge Double Whammy had been a reluctant leader in the Gr 2 Choice Carrier Championship over 1400m last time out and the yard planned to adopt different tactics this time. However, Snaith said, “If we do lead we will do it on our own terms.”
The likely favourite from the Mike de Kock yard, Majmu, will be hard to beat if there is a good pace and it looks increasingly likely that her stablemate Ataab might go the front to ensure a strong gallop. Snaith won this big race with Captain’s Lover in 2007, Sparkling Gem in 2008, Ebony Flyer in 2010 and In The Fast Lane last year.
Snaith said that his yard was in good form and could be followed. “The bipot is the best new bet around and a good one for followers of our yard because we are consistently close.”
Daring Dave looks their probable best runner on the day in the Listed Val De Ra Southeaster Sprint over 1100m. The four-year-old Dynasty gelding was only caught late by Tevez last time out in the Gr 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m and looks likely to appreciate the slight drop in trip.
Snaith said, “He was unlucky last time as the loose horse forced him to go too soon and Sean (Cormack) said if he could ride him again he would wait longer. His aim has always been the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship, it’s still a long way off, so I have done very little with this horse. I have hardly galloped him at all, and he should be getting better with every run.”
Cap Alright also runs in that race and Snaith said, “He was disappointing last time and hope he can make a comeback, otherwise we will try him over further.”
The yard run the five-year-old Var mare Varikate and the three-year-old Antonius Pius filly Arria in the weight for age Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m. Varikate beat males in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville during the Champions Season. She is 4kg better off with Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night for a 3,5 length beating in a conditions race over the Southern Cross course and distance last time out.
However Snaith said, “When I saw her in the ring last time, I knew I hadn’t done enough with her and we’re hoping we can get closer to Fly By Night this time.” Varikate has natural speed and is usually right up with the pace so as a fitter horse should run all the way to the line this time unlike last time when leading and fading late.
Snaith said about Arria, “Two-year-old racing is weak in Cape Town and her good juvenile form just hasn’t worked out.”
Snaith mentioned a few other runners, “Fire Master (runs in the 2nd race, a maiden over 1200m) will be a very nice horse in time and might go close here. The Jet (8th race, a MR 77 handicap over 1000m) hated the tailwind last time so will do better, but its too close to call between her and Lotus Lily Lake, who won well last time and has a chance if repeating that run. We are just testing the waters with Current Event (4th race MR 74 Handicap over 2400m) as Port Elizabeth staying races are weak. Bianzino (9th race, an MR 69 handicap over 1600m) is a very nice up and coming sort and we are expecting a good run.
Picture: Arria – Richard Fourie (Liesl King)
