The three-year-old form is still unravelling at this stage of the season, but the Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred grey could hardly have been more impressive and brought back memories of the champion trainer’s best ever horse, the mighty Horse Chestnut, when accelerating away from the field in effortless fashion in the closing stages to win by 2,5 lengths under Anthony Delpech.

Her starting odds shortened to 3/10 after Cold As Ice had burst through the stalls, dislodging her jockey and galloping to the parade ring.

Majmu broke well and was initially in the front before her stablemate Ataab, who was a bit slowly away, rounded her and set the good pace that would best suit her. Delpech took Majmu to the front quite early in the straight as he had to squeeze through a gap between Ataab and the rail. However, he then gave her a breather until the 400m mark.

In the meantime the new second favourite, the Glen Kotzen-trained Double Whammy, had produced a fine turn of foot from midfield and was going like a freight train on the rail, while the Mike Bass-trained Inara was also making a strong forward move. However, just when an upset looked possible, Majmu was given more rein and simply accelerated away from the danger. Inaara finished second, narrowly ahead of Double Whammy, and Jet Set Go was next best.

De Kock’s first words were one of sympathy for the connections of Cold As Ice, but he went on to confirm that Majmu would be staying on in Cape Town.

Gr 1 Races like the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes, the Klawervlei Majorca and even the J &B Met will be possibilities for this exciting filly. After yesterday’s win she already has one leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara under her belt and looks a virtual certainty to become the new darling of the South African turf.

Earlier, the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner, the Mike Bass-trained Fly By Night, showed her class by winning the Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m. The ever improving five-year-old Jet Master mare tracked the Gr 1 Allan Robertson winner, the De Kock-trained Alboran Sea, before producing a telling late run under Bernard Fayd’Herbe to catch the latter in the shadow of the post and win by 0,5 lengths. The merit of the performance of both horses was illustrated by the gap of 6,25 lengths between them and the rest of a quality field, which was headed by Savannah Song. Alboran Sea was backed in to 11/10 favourite and Fly By Night started at 3/1.

The Listed Val De Ra Southeaster Sprint over 1100m was won by the Darry Hodgson-trained six-year-old gelding Dressed In Cotton under Gerrit Schlechter, despite being 2kg under sufferance. The Justin Snaith-trained favourite Daring Dave overtook the pacesetter and second favourite Captain Of All close to home and looked the winner, but was caught on the line by Dressed In Cotton, while another outsider, Villa Del Largo, got up to dead-heat with his stablemate for second.

 Picture: Majmu and Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

She would be unbeaten had not S’Manga Khumalo had the sort of ride that jockeys have nightmares about in the Joburg Spring Challenge, getting into as many pockets as a snooker player.

“Majmu has a turn of foot that is unbelievable,” said Mike de Kock after she had put the record straight on Charity Mile day – and seemingly that is not her only attribute. “She is a very straightforward filly. Anybody could train her – even you!” says the eight-time champion trainer. “She is also straightforward to ride.”

Much has been said about stable companion Ataab’s presumed role as pacemaker but apparently it is hardly necessary. “It all depends on how Ataab breaks,” De Kock explains. “If she breaks in front I would be happy to see her lead but she can also come from behind. If it is a slow pace Majmu can accelerate although, that said, I think a good pace always matters to good horses.”

She is a prohibitive price – 3-10 yesterday with Betting World and others– but there are stamina doubts about 4-1 second favourite Cold As Ice who is bidding to become the sixth Choice Carriers winner to take the Fillies Guineas in ten years.

The doubts have been frequently voiced by her trainer but some outstanding work-outs seem to have erased them, at least in Joey Ramsden’s mind. “I now have no worries about her staying the trip,” he says.  ”I know she couldn’t stay on pedigree but she relaxes so well.”

But Glen Kotzen and Greg Cheyne are praying that Ataab does break like a scalded cat so that Double Whammy (8-1) doesn’t have to do the donkey work yet again, and can live up to what they believe is her true potential. “She’s had a good preparation and she looks fantastic,” enthuses Kotzen.

The rest are long shots although Vaughan Marshall believes there are grounds for thinking that 14-1 shot Jet Set Go can make up at least some of the two and a half lengths she was beaten in the Choice Carriers. “The extra 200m will [make a difference] and so will the longer run-in,” he reasons.

Mike Bass believes that fourth-placed Inara (25-1) can also step up: “The extra furlong will definitely suit her and she is drawn well which will help. She is a fair filly and I hope she will finish in the frame.”

However Justin Snaith, bidding for his fifth Fillies Guineas in eight seasons, can’t see 33-1 chance Sunset Tripp providing him with a belated 40^th birthday present. “This is a big ask and we’ve got our work cut out,” he admits. ”I’m sure Mike de Kock won’t allow a slow pace, and a strong one won’t suit our filly.”

Alboran Sea is, a little surprisingly perhaps, 16-10 favourite for the Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes. She is up against the Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night and she was reported in post-race distress when beaten into fourth at odds-on last time.

“She was only slightly distressed,”says De Kock. “”It was soft ground, she had a hard race against older horses and that took its toll over virtually six furlongs. She is better over five on fast ground.”

Fly By Night could be better value at 7-2 even though Grant van Niekerk has opted for stable companion Lanner Falcon. “Grant kept changing his mind and he now thinks he might be on the wrong one,” says Bass. “Fly By Night has come on since her win and she has an obvious chance.”

Taking a horse down from Johannesburg to Cape Town for a big race is no easy task, as was highlighted by the great De Kock-trained Igugu’s defeat in the Cape Fillies Guineas in 2010. The depth of class in the field that Majmu faces is greater and is headed by a filly in the Joey Ramsden-trained Cold As Ice who could still be anything.

De Kock’s other runner Ataab has the same owner as Majmu and could well ensure the good pace that Majmu will need in order to unleash her powerful finishing run.  The only concern for Majmu is that she has never raced around a left hand turn, but she was shown the turn by big race jockey Anthony Delpech yesterday (Thursday).

Cold As Ice kicked on superbly from a handy position in the slow run Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m last time out. She would love another “Cape crawl” as she has a stamina doubt, but is unlikely to get it and her draw of eight in the small ten-horse field is tricky.

Majmu is drawn six and Ataab, fresh from a decent third place in last weekend’s Gr 3 Fillies Mile at Kenilworth, is one outside of her. Ataab will be very fit and could stay on for a place.

Choice Carriers runner-up Double Whammy is known as a front-runner but was reportedly tucked in behind two horses in work the other day and the result had trainer Glen Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne excited. She is drawn in pole and could be in the box seat if Ataab is sent to the front.

Jet Set Go and Inara stayed on gamely for third and fourth in the Choice Carrriers without making inroads.

Grey Light has impressed with her strong finishing run before but was too far back in the Choice Carriers from a wide draw. She has another wide draw but will appreciate the longer straight and could earn.

Jeweller’s Joy didn’t enjoy much luck in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m but still managed a running on 3,75 length sixth to an exciting unbeaten colt. She is drawn well in three. Sunset Tripp set the pace in the Ready To Run Stakes and stayed on gamely for a 2,75 length third. However, she has never been this trip before and is widely drawn again. Cuvee Brut has run on well to win her last two sprints, but this a big step up in class.

Majmu is selected to beat Cold As Ice with Double Whammy, Ataab and Grey Light next best.

The weight for age Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m is an intriguing race, but Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night would have come on from her reappearance win and might have too much class. Rosier and Varikate both likely needed their last starts and have weight turnarounds with Fly By Night. Gr 1-winning speedster Alboran Sea should love this tough 1000m and has a fine chance if at her best. Lanner Falcon and Priceless Jewel would prefer further, but have class and can’t be ignored.

In the Listed Val de Ra Southeaster Sprint Daring Dave will enjoy the drop down to 1100m and is improving with each race. Happy Forever should be cherry-ripe and will enjoy this trip. Crescendo is a tough galloping type and could be good place value. Captain On The Run should do well with a light weight. Captain Of All is all class and is fit, but it will be tough to win with 61kg after a break of over a year.

The improving Ideal Countess could win the first from Sister Act.

Fire Master is well regarded and will appreciate the 200m extra of the second race, so if jumping better than last time looks to be a good bet. Upper Echelon has a good draw for a change and could win the third over 1400m. She would probably prefer 1600m but does wear first-time blinkers.

Improving stayer Even So has a perfect draw for his front-running style and could claim a hat-trick with a light weight in the fourth over 2400m.

The eighth could go to the well regarded Mint Master who is better than his last start, although topweight Lotus Lily Lake looks useful and could prove a tough nut to crack.

The impressive Bianzino should love the longer straight of the new course and could win the ninth. The last could be fought out by the improving Street Flyer and Master Runner, who was green on his fair debut.

Picture: Cold As Ice and Double Whammy (Liesl King)

However, many punters will be wishing that Strydom was riding rather than watching as they face a very difficult card.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 could prove to be a toss-up between Royalsecuritybaby and Sluice Gate although the betting indicates a wide open race with the former a weak 5-2 favourite. Prolific owner Roy Moodley has been having an extend run of good fortune with winners coming thick and fast. The Moodley-owned Royalsecuritybaby was a winner two runs back from a wide draw over the course and distance and followed up with a fast-finishing second last time out. A repeat showing should at least see her in the money.

Sluice Gate tried to make all the running when fitted with blinkers and now gets the benefit of a 2,5kg claimer in Callan Murray and could keep going this time round.

Roy’s Royalty, another Moodley-owned runner, returns from a break and drops back in trip so may just need it. However, she was in good form before the break.

Paree and Stirling Leaves are vying for favouritism in the fifth with the former at the top of the boards. The Mike de Kock-trained filly made marked improvement on a modest debut when coming from the clouds to shed her maiden and she looks to be on the up.

Weiho Marwing is starting to step out runners after his recent move to Ashburton with Isobar his first winner since his move. Stirling Leaves was touched off in her last Turffontein start and was never far back. These two look set to fight it out.

Frank Robinson has had good success on the poly and he saddles Burmudabreeze in the sixth. The five-year-old has taken a new lease on life since being sent on the synthetic surface and it obviously agrees with his aging legs. His best form is over 1000m but he does have a plum draw.

Doug Campbell is another trainer whose runners have taken to the poly and Harry Peppa has finished in the money in all three starts on the surface. He tried hard behind the well fancied Al Ciberano in an apprentice handicap last run and looks to have a fair chance here.

Recent maiden winner Snowman is a weak 4-1 favourite for the sixth where a host of runners look to have strong winning chances. Snowman looks to be a nice gelding in the making but he does take on some salted opposition. Samhaan, when good is very good, when bad is very bad, so is a runner than cannot be left out with any comfort. Silver Spring is back from a break but is useful while stable companion Buffalo Bill was touched off last time out. One can make a case for almost all 10 runners so not a race to go light in, in the exotics.

Nisa’s Love is another weak favourite in the eighth but she has gone well on the poly and should be right there. Artistically Done is a tough old mare who is another that has taken to the poly and got up late to win her latest. Oi Yoi Yoi can improve on her last effort while recent maiden winner Secret Admirer is not without a chance.

Ahlaam and Tigress Poem look the most likely to fight out the last. Ahlaam improved last run when tried in blinkers while Tigress Poem has failed narrowly at her last two and is due a change of fortune.

Capetown Noir (Liesl King)

Trainer Dean Kannemeyer said that a recurrence of an injury from the 2014 KZN Champions Season had led to a decision by his owners Khaya Stables to immediately retire the valuable horse.

The champion colt was destined for an overseas campaign, but plans were aborted after his injury.

Dean Kannemeyer – disappointed but says he will make a top stallion

“He ran a nice race in the Merchants recently and I had intended to aim him at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate double. But the injury sadly flared up again and after consultation with our Veterinary team and Jehan Malherbe, his owners have decided to do what is best for the horse and retire him. I support the decision fully and he should make for an outstanding stallion. He is a superbly bred good looking horse, a magnificent mover with character and a terrific temperament. He has got to go down as the best miler I have trained. I am looking forward to seeing him go on and make his mark at stud,” he said.

Capetown Noir has everything required to make it to the top in the breeding paddocks.

He was bred by Lammerskraal Stud and is by the ill-fated multiple champion sire Western Winter out of Equus champion broodmare, Akinfeet, a daughter of champion broodmare sire, Fort Wood.

Jehan Malherbe – looking at stud options Capetown Noir was purchased for Khaya Stables by Dean Kannemeyer and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe for R1 million on the National Yearling Sale.

He won eight races from 1200m to 2000m and was at his brilliant best at a mile.

Capetown Noir’s victories included the unique Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Cape Derby double, SA’s premier WFA Mile, the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate as well as the Gr3 Byerley Turk and Gr3 Matchem Stakes.

No decision has yet been made as to where he will stand but he is bound to prove an invaluable addition to the local stallion ranks.

www.dkannemeyerracing.com

Betting World, who clearly consider Mike de Kock’s star well-nigh unbeatable, make the Joey Ramsden-trained Choice Carriers winner Cold As Ice second favourite at 4-1 and Glen Kotzen’s Lanzerac Diana winner next best at 8-1.

These are the only three trading in single figures and the remaining prices are: 14-1 Jet Set Go, 20-1 Ataab (also trained by De Kock), 25-1 Inara, 33-1 Sunset Tripp, 45-1 Grey Light, Cuvee Brut, Jeweller’s Joy.

Missing from the big race line-up is Hot Affair, one of the top two-year-old fillies of last season. She was being targeted at this.

Mike Robinson reported: “Unfortunately she chipped a bone in her off-fore knee. She had surgery on Monday and she will be out for a couple of months.”

Picture: Majmu (JC Photos)

Adam Marcus brings back the classy Priceless Jewel in the Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m, a race which Bass looks to have a fine chance of winning as he is represented by a strong pair in Fly By Night and Lanner Falcon.

Cuvee Brut is a three-year-old Count Dubois filly, who has only had three starts, all of them over sprints, but she did catch the eye last time out in a MR 68 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m at Kenilworth when producing a late rattle to win by 0,75 lengths.

On the downside, she was running off only a 75 merit rating and the filly she beat, Ladidah, is a relatively exposed three-year-old who runs off an 81 merit rating but had the advantage of a 4kg claimer aboard. However on the bright side the rest of the field, which included older fillies, were well beaten.

Importantly, Cuvee Brut’s first win over 1000m was at Durbanville, meaning she has experienced a left hand turn. Cuvee Brut is out of a half-sister to the useful Ziplock, who won up to 1600m, but Crawford was not quite sure whether she would see out the 1600m trip. However he said that she had been “doing well.” She jumps from draw five and will be ridden by Corné Orffer.

Candice Robinson, who is Bass’s daughter and assistant trainer, confirmed that the three-year-old Trippi filly Inara would appreciate the extra 200m having stayed on well in the Gr 2 Choice Carrier’s Championship over 1400m last time out for a 4,5 length fourth. In her penultimate start she finished just 0,4 lengths in second to the well regarded Indaba in a Novice Plate over 1600m, with the rest of the field well beaten, and the latter went on to slam them in impressive style in a MR 67 handicap over 1600m at Kenilworth.

However, Robinson said that although Inara had been doing well, the yard would be happy with a place on Saturday in a field of this quality.

All three of the horses who beat her in that race, Cold As Ice, Double Whammy and Jet Set Go, are in Saturday’s race, which is once again a level weights event, and Majmu’s presence will make it even tougher.

However, the pace is likely to be on, which should suit her down to the ground, and she is also well drawn in two, so can’t be ignored in bets like the trifecta and quartet. Grant van Niekerk retains the ride.

Robinson said that the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night, a much improved five-year-old Jet Master mare, was very well and had come on from her victorious seasonal reappearance in a Conditions Plate over 1000m at Kenilworth, so would have a “big shout” over the same course and distance in the Southern Cross Stakes. She was well weighted in that last race, but has earned her merit rating of 106, which is the third highest in the field behind the 108 merit rated Priceless Jewel and the 109 rated Gr 1 winner Alboran Sea. Former stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe rode Fly By Night to victory in the Mercury Sprint and is re-united with her at the expense of current stable jockey Van Niekerk, who rides Lanner Falcon. Robinson said that Lanner Falcon, a Trippi filly who was runner up in last year’s Cape Fillies Guineas, was in good shape, but the 1000m might just be a touch too sharp for her. Fly By Night is drawn one and Lanner Falcon eight, so the connections will be watching the two earlier sprints with interest to see which side of the course will be preferred by the jockeys on the day.

Priceless Jewel, a five-year-old Ashaawes mare, had quite a busy campaign last season, which yielded four wins, including a Gr 3 over 1400m and a Listed event over 1200m, and she also finished a fantastic two length third to the great Beach Beauty in the Gr 1 Klawervlei Majorca Stakes over 1600m. She was kept going for the first couple of weeks this season in order to take part in the Gr 3 eDiamond Stakes over 1200m, in which she looked impossible to oppose at the weights, and duly won by 3,5 lengths.

The yard then sent her for a deserved holiday on the farm and have only brought her back slowly.

Basil Marcus said, “This is obviously a prep run for her and is a little bit short, but she is doing well at home. We are going to see how she goes and then decide where we go from there as there are only limited opportunities for her in the Cape summer season.”

Sean Cormack takes the ride from a nice draw of five which in a small field of nine will enable her to switch to whichever side is considered favourable on the day, so she could be a threat sitting off the pace and then running on.

“I hope they show their true worth,” said Drier.

Captain Of All is a very speedy Captain Al colt and led virtually from pillar to post when winning the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Medallion over 1200m at Scottsville as a two-year-old. In his next start in the Gr 1 Golden Horseshoe over1400m at Greyville it was probably only the sticky going that cost him victory as he looked all over the winner until running out of steam and being caught on the line by Forest Indigo and Kochka. He next appeared in November last year in a Graduation Plate over 1200m at Kenilworth and turned it into a procession, winning by 2,5 lengths. However, he has been off for more than a year since then having suffered stifle problems and a “joint hiccup”. However, Drier has taken him to Kenilworth for a gallop and is very happy with his well being and fitness.

He said, “He may need it, but I hope not.”

Stable jockey Sean Cormack will ride Captain Of All, who has to carry topweight of 61kg.

Captain On The Run is also a four-year-old by Captain Al. He disappointed a couple of times as a colt, but appears to have turned the corner since being gelded about a year ago. He had two good wins after gelding and with blinkers on, but after a below par run the blinkers were removed and he then went close next time out over 1200m at Clairwood in a competitive Pinnacle Stakes race. His only run since then has been on the poly and he returns from a 109 day rest. However, he will be carrying only 52,5kg and has in form Corné Orffer up, so should be competitive.

Crescendo beat the useful Flyfirstclass at Clairwood over 1200m the last time he went down the straight. An interesting formline from that race is that he beat Hunting Horn by 2,35 lengths when receiving only 0,5kg, while Captain Of All beat the latter just over a year ago by 2,5 lengths over 1200m when giving him 2,5kg. As Crescendo is receiving 7kg from Captain Of All, that particular formline puts him ahead of the latter. However, on jockey arrangements Crescendo appears to be the yard third string in the race. Crescendo is a resolute galloper and should love the tough Kenilworth straight course. Anthony Andrews is up and this horse should never be underestimated.

Meanwhile, Drier has abandoned the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas plan for his top class Var colt Generalissimo.

“He doesn’t stay,” admitted Drier, reflecting on his Selangor Cup run over 1600m in which he faded out in the straight after being keen early.

He felt he was “too young” to take part in the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship over 1000m on January 24, but hadn’t ruled out the possibility completely.

Pictures: Nkosi Hlophe

The clash matches any duel the race has seen in its long history and is as eagerly anticipated as the one between the De Kock-trained Igugu and the Justin Snaith-trained Ebony Flyer in 2010.

Interestingly, Igugu and Ebony Flyer were also ridden by Delpech and Fayd’Herbe respectively. The vanquished Igugu went on to become a national hero by winning the Triple Tiara and then doing the Vodacom Durban July/J&B Met double, all under the skilled hands of Delpech. However, her defeat in the Cape Fillies Guineas was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as the pair never met again.

Delpech said sometime later that Igugu had felt “lost” first time out on a left hand turn and besides being caught wide she had not quite been herself on the day. He and De Kock will not want to experience a repeat dose from the Capetonians.

The KZN-based jockey flew down to Cape Town last night (Wednesday) in order that he could show Majmu the turn at Kenilworth today (Thursday). Majmu only arrived in Cape Town yesterday and is being stabled at Kenilworth.

Delpech was reluctant to compare Majmu (pictured) to Igugu and said, “Igugu won so many Gr 1s and Majmu is just starting out, so it would not be fair to compare them yet. But she is obviously very good and I’m really excited as it is only now that we are taking on the better horses and we will see how good she is.”

The robust Australian-bred grey by Redoute’s Choice possesses devastating finishing speed, but in her two runs this season has appeared to take a while to get going. Delpech said, “She does unwind, although it depends how the race is run. Last time I dropped her out because of her wide draw, but she is a simple straight forward filly to ride.”

Interestingly, De Kock has entered another horse, the classy Ataab,  who has the same owner as Majmu, Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum. It needn’t even be asked that the purpose of this entry is to ensure the good pace that will give Majmu her best chance of winning.

Fayd’Herbe on the other hand said, “I would love it if it were the normal Cape crawl!” Both he and Ramsden have a doubt that Cold As ice will stay a true mile and if it does turn into a sprint for home it would suit her down to the ground.

The Western Winter filly has won her last three starts effortlessly, including the Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m last time out where she showed a fine turn of foot from a handy position.

Ebony Flyer was drawn four in 2010 and Igugu eight, but this year De Kock has the advantage as Majmu is drawn six to Cold As Ice’s eight.

Fayd’Herbe said yesterday, “Cold as Ice is fit and doing really well, we are very happy, and her last gallop went really well. I will just be giving her a sprint up tomorrow (today (Thursday) ). We have obviously heard a lot about Majmu and seen her, so know how good she is, but I am excited about Saturday’s race.”

There are a number of other horses in the field that could be a threat.

Chief among them is the Glen Kotzen-trained Choice Carriers 1,25 length runner up Double Whammy, who is known to be a front-runner. However, Kotzen said that this Judpot filly had been forced to take it up last time due to the slow pace and when she was put in behind two horses in work the other day the result excited both Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne. Kotzen said, “It was a fantastic gallop and she did it very easily.”

Kotzen also runs the Trippi filly Jeweller’s Joy and after her fine sixth place finish in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, in which she didn’t enjoy much luck, Cheyne had returned to say he couldn’t tell who was better, Jeweller’s Joy or Double Whammy. Double Whammy is drawn in pole position and Jeweller’s Joy is in barrier three with the experienced Karl Neisius aboard.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Jet Master filly Jet Set Go, who is drawn four with MJ Byleveld up, also has a chance. She was running on well for a 2,5 length third in the Choice Carrier’s and will prefer the longer straight of the New Course as well as the step up in distance.

This is the first three-year-old Gr 1 of the season and it should be a humdinger.

Pictures: Cold As Ice (Liesl King); Majmu (JC Photos)

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)