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)