Lanner Falcon turned on the style at Kenilworth yesterday to give Mike Bass his third Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes in five seasons. But, if it hadn’t been for Grant van Niekerk, Gaynyor Rupert’s five-year-old would now be on the road to Port Elizabeth.
Candice Robinson explained: “We entered her in the mile Lady’s Bracelet at Fairview on New Year’s Day. We were still umming and aahing when Grant said: ‘Please leave her in Cape Town. I think she will win the Diadem.’”
Quite some way from home he knew he was going to be proved gloriously right and he related: “Last time she ran over 1 000m, they went like the clappers and she doesn’t like to be bustled. This time she was always finding and, when I looked across at Bernard Fay’d Herbe on Fly By Night, I knew I had it.”
The Bass stable is now assessing options once more but this time Port Elizabeth doesn’t figure! “Lanner Falcon’s main aim is the Klawervlei Majorca whereas Fly By Night will go for either the Sceptre (Jan 16) or the Cape Flying a fortnight later,” said Candice. “At this stage, though, she doesn’t need another win but another Grade 1.”
The Sceptre could see an entry from Victoria Lavelle who rounded off a treble for S’Manga Khumalo by making most in the Laisserfaire but seemingly she is unlikely to run.
Justin Snaith explained: “We will see what is in it but I wouldn’t like to push my luck. I would rather save her for the Durban season.”
Greg Cheyne was taken to hospital for x-rays on a suspected fracture of the metatarsal bone in his foot after being hurt when Mount Keith broke through the pens in the opening two-year-old race.
Also on the sidelines is Donovan Mansour who had a nasty fall at Milnerton on Saturday. He was forced to give up his rides and missed a winner on the Joey Ramsden-trained Free Agent.
Vodacom Durban July winner Power King looks like having a crack at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate even though he is also in the Peninsula Handicap on Saturday week’s card.
Dean Kannemeyer said: “I am keeping everything open but he took his Summer Cup run well and there is a good possibility that he will run in the Queen’s Plate and then the Met.”
Power King is a 20-1 shot for the J & B Met. Most of the money so far has been for last season’s winner Futura who has hardened from an initial 28-10 to 16-10. Betting World has also had support for Captain America (12-1 to 10-1) but original 5-1 chances Legislate and Legal Eagle have drifted to 13-2 and 7-1 while French Navy has gone out from 7-1 to 12-1.
Selangor winner Hard Day’s Night, who weakened after making the running in the Grand Parade Cape Guineas, was reported none the worse by Ramsden and will attempt to make amends in the CTS Million Dollar.
But Flying Ice, who disappointed in the Cape Fillies Guineas, may wait until the Durban season.
Neil Bruss said: “She was totally flat the next day, her legs swelled up and she wouldn’t eat – she had a virus. There are no suitable races for her – six furlongs is too short – so we could keep her for Durban.”
There is concern among some punters about the small size of the fields in Cape Town. These averaged only eight for yesterday’s non-features. Last Tuesday it was nine and tomorrow it’s again in single figures. The operators have threatened cuts in stakes if the required 12 is not met.
One Kenilworth regular said: “I wanted to do a Bipot but it’s not worth it with the fields being so small.”
By: Michael Clower
Picture: Lanner Falcon (Liesly King)
