Just Sensual can become the first three-year-old to win the Vasco Taverna Prix Du Cap since Mother Russia eight years ago at Kenilworth’s Prawn Festival meeting tomorrow.
Joey Ramsden, who also trained Mother Russia and has won four of the last 12 runnings of this Grade 3, expressed no surprise – indeed quite the opposite – when Anton Marcus’s mount won the Cape Fillies Guineas and her running in the CTS Mile last time was far better than her eventual 11th place would suggest.
Frankie Dettori – having to contend with a wide draw – soon had her in front and, although headed by William Longsword two furlongs out, she was still right with the winner at the distance of this race.
Just Sensual (Liesl King)
Silver Mountain also has a 3kg Grade 1 penalty to contend with but she ran a fine race in the Klawervlei Majorca despite being drawn in the bush and only tired in the closing stages. She rates the biggest danger.
Goodtime Gal looked the winner of the Majorca when in front with a furlong to run and Mike Robinson’s experiments at home have convinced him that first-time blinkers will make the filly that much sharper. “The 13 draw is the problem, particularly over 1 400m,” he points out. “But Richard Fourie has told me not to worry about that. He says he will get across.”
Interestingly the sahorseracing computer has her shooting out of the pens straight into the lead and narrowly holding on from Just Sensual and Silver Mountain.
This is a poor race for favourites – Marcus’s mount Cuvee Brut 12 months ago was the first to win since Mother Russia – so don’t let anyone deter you if you fancy one of the longer priced horses.
Captain’s Flame has run a little below her best in recent starts but there are reasons for believing that she could go close. “She wasn’t comfortable with her bit in her last few races but we have fixed this and she is very fit,” says Andre Nel. “However she seems to have lost a bit of confidence and that is a concern.”
The handicap ratings, as adjusted for penalties, put A Time To Dream second only to Just Sensual but her 102 mark owes much to a win in Port Elizabeth and her poor draw is worrying Justin Snaith – “Andrew Fortune rode a good race from behind in the Majorca but I don’t know what to do here.”
Alexis, who made the running in the Majorca before weakening two furlongs home, could be better over this distance and stable companion Beach Goddess certainly will be. Ridden to get the trip, she could be the best of the outsiders.
By Michael Clower
