Ramsden and Fayd’Herbe were all smiles afterwards, in stark contrast to the Gr 1 Avontuur Estate Fillies Guineas two weeks earlier in which their fancied charge Cold As Ice broke through the starting stalls and bolted. The ups and downs of racing were displayed in no uncertain terms as Ramsden had no fewer than five winners yesterday. Act Of War’s owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste were not on course, but enjoyed a halcyon meeting as their colours were in the winner’s enclosure on six occassions.

Act Of War Cape Guineas – Liesl King

Fayd’Herbe said afterwards about the strapping Dynasty colt Act Of War, “He is one of the best horses I’ve ever sat on and everybody must get on the bandwagon and enjoy this horse now because he is something special.”

Ramsden’s emotions were more of relief as he said Act Of War’s preparation had gone well until a poor gallop last weekend. He had therefore endured a highly stressful week. However, he has proved himself a fine trainer of high class horses many times before and he had his charge in fine condition by the time of the race.

However, despite the comfort of the win in the end, he said afterwards that he had felt the horse had not been at his best on the day.

Trainer Paul Lafferty might have also felt the same as Second favourite Harry’s Son, a usually very laid back sort, did not settle nearly as well as he usually does in the running. Furthermore, he had flown into Cape Town from Durban on the morning of the race. He therefore put up a highly courageous performance, answering Piere Strydom’s call to go for home early from a handy position, stealing a march and staying all the way to the line.

Act Of War had in the meantime not broken well from a good draw of two, but Fayd’Herbe was happy to end up off the fence in midfield as he had always planned to have him in a “comfortable” position away from the bustle.

Fayd’Herbe had the perfect horse to follow into the straight in Act Of War’s classy stablemate Kingvoldt. Fayd’Herbe kept his eye on Harry’s Son out in front but never panicked and when he asked the question the answer was instantaneous. He said later that he had only had to give him a “little squeeze” to exact that response. The writing was on the wall from that moment onwards for the gallant Harry’s Son and his passionate owners, who had also flown down for the race. Act Of War simply cruised past to win by 1,75 lengths. Kingvoldt threatened to follow him through but Harry’s Son fought all the way to the line to beat him by a head.

The Sean Tarry-trained third favourite Zambezi River was not well away but tried very hard in the straight. However, he made little inroads and it was his unheralded stablemate, the 75/1 shot Imperial Gold, who finished in eyecatching style to beat him into the final quartet position, albeit 3,5 lengths behind Kingvoldt.

Ramsden was not drawn to answer where Act Of War will go next and the connections will likely only make a call after they have monitored how well he comes out of yesterday’s race. Markus and Ingrid Jooste own Act Of War and he was bred by Arc-En-Ciel Stud. The Jooste’s were represented by their racing manager Derek Brugman, who like Ramsden was also relieved that the race was over.

Earlier, Surruptitious was an unfortunate scratching in the Gr 3 Grandwest Cape Summer Stayers over 2500m as he looked sure to set a good gallop, and instead the pace was farcical in the early stages. The only filly in the race, Dynasty’s Pride, was then sent clear. The rest were content to bide their time and she turned for home at least ten lengths clear. Current Event was the first to come out of the pack and Gothic and the hot favourite Wavin’ Flag were making runs from well back.

However, the Ramsden-trained Argentininan-bred Giant’s Causeway gelding Coltrane, who had turned for home last, stormed through under Anthony Delpech to cause a 25/1 upset from Gothic, Current Event and Dynastic Power with 15/10 shot Wavin’ Flag in fifth. Coltrane was a useful stayer last season but was virtually pulled up in his last start over the too far 3200m, which probably explained the lack of market support.

The Dennis Drier-trained Jet Master mare Jet Aglow was well weighted in the Listed Cape Premier Jet Master Stakes over 1600m and duly landed 2/1 odds under Sean Cormack. She came from a handy position and stayed on resolutely, although Jet Explorer was closing quickly and put in an eyecatching preparation for the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate by finishing just 0,5 lengths back in second. They were followed closely by the rank outsider Friendly Tibbs. Readytogorightnow and It Is Written were next best.

Pictures: Liesl King