Silver Mountain has been installed 16-10 favourite for Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas with World Sports Betting. The Mike Azzie-trained Premiers Champion winner Rabada is next on 3-1 and Mike de Kock’s Investec Dingaans scorer Noah From Goa is a 4-1 chance.
Oddsmaker Hilton Hasson said: “We feel that, although Silver Mountain is something really special, the three-year-old fillies crop is not as good as everyone would like to believe. This is why she isn’t hovering around the even money mark as probably expected.”
Victory would make the Mike Bass star the first to complete the Cape Fillies Guineas double since Star Effort in 1991 and the first filly to win the this race for 22 years. If all 17 declared stand their ground it will be the biggest field for more than two decades.
Aldo Domeyer, who has ridden Silver Mountain in all her five starts, was forced to give up his rides at Kenilworth on Saturday. According to Andre Nel, for whom he missed a double, the problem was a twisted thumb ligament “but nothing is going to keep him off Silver Mountain.”
Black Arthur is a notable absentee with Justin Snaith explaining: “I don’t want him to get hammered like Bela-Bela did, going up seven points for finishing fifth. I would rather wait. He will go for the Politician and the Investec Cape Derby.”
Stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who has won three of the last five runnings, has opted for Baritone rather than Star Chestnut (Greg Cheyne) and Ready To Attack (Donovan Dillon).
Dean Kannemeyer, successful five times in the last 11 seasons, will be without a runner after deciding against Mambo Mime (“I wasn’t happy with him after his last run”), Lord Marshal and Cape Speed.
Saturday’s Kenilworth meeting will be a Hassen Adams-inspired spectacular with the GrandWest Paradiso Lounge providing live entertainment, the children’s Burger King theme park expected to attract thousands and the Stop Hunger Now campaign aiming for 25 920 meals to feed hungry kids.
World Sports Betting prices: 16-10 Silver Mountain, 3-1 Rabada, 4-1 Noah From Goa, 7-1 Brazuca, 12-1 Budapest, 14-1 Hard Day’s Night, 16-1 Eighth Wonder, Victorious Jay, 20-1 Illuminator, Nassa, 25-1 Star Chestnut, 33-1 Liege, Ready To Attack, 40-1 Baritone, 50-1 Purple Mountains, Rodney, Jet Air.
By Michael Clower
Picture: Silver Mountain (Kenilworth Racing)
