David Thiselton

The Listed Dr Richard Maponya Handicap over 1800m is the headliner on the Turffontein Standside today, and Radicchio could be the one to beat. Supporting feature, the Listed Spook Express Stakes, also offers black type opportunities.

Dr Maponya, born in 1920, was a highly successful entrepreneur despite the restrictions placed on him by apartheid and he was the first black person to be granted racing colours in South Africa. Some consider his boldest political move to be his choice of colours, green, gold and black, the colours of the, at the time, banned ANC.

The Barend Botes-trained Radicchio has been impressive since arriving on the Highveld with good form behind him in the strong centre of Cape Town. He was raised for his last win over 1400m four points to 99, but even though he runs in this race officially half-a-kilogram under sufferance he might still be ahead of the handicapper because on pedigree and form he might well be looking for this trip. He is by the stamina influence Flower Alley, but on the other hand he is out of Rosier, a useful Gr 2-winning sprinter by the sprint-miler Kildonan. However, the first time Radicchio tried some ground was in the maidens in his fifth career start and he won by 4,10 lengths over 1750m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. His only attempt at a middle distance since then was in his next start when he ran from draw 12 out of 13 over 1950m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and he finished only 2,70 lengths back, albeit if off a 76 merit rating. However, this fluent runner was certainly showing no signs of stopping over 1400m last time as he gallantly fought off the useful Cymric who was lugging onto him. He also ran there without having been able to work for about ten days to two weeks with all the rain. Denis Schwarz said after the race he felt he would definitely get a mile, so he is interesting over 1800m. He will be ridden by Ryan Munger, who is enjoying his usual stint in SA during the off season of his current base in Canada. Storm Brasco should have no problem seeing out the trip and should  be a big runner from draw three, despite officially being 1kg under sufferance. He is a progressive sort who looked likely to come into his own this season as he did not quite fulfil his potential as a three-year-old. His strong finishing runs were what caught the eye and he will relish this course and distance from draw three. Master Christmas is 1,5kg under sufferance but could also be in the first three as he went close the last time he tried this trip. In the Grand Heritage over 1475m he gave Radicchio 1,5kg and beat him by 1,10 lengths. He has drawn out wide in barrier nine though. He will be ridden by the underrated Jarryd Penny. Hotarubi has not run since the Summer Cup but has class and has the ability to go close. Marauding Horde should progress this season and will relish the course and distance, so he could also be in the shake up.   

The Spook Express over 2400m could be fought out by United Council and My Soul Mate. United Council won in impressive style last time and can follow up despite a six point raise. My Soul Mate is a former SA Oaks runner up and bounced back to form last time out, so should be right there despite having to carry top weight.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m, Truth has a lot of class and looks set to deliver over a suitable drop in trip, although his draw of six out of nine is tricky. Cymric also has class and will be a runner from a good draw with Lerena up. Richard The First is hard to ignore. Fire ‘N Flames is not ultra reliable but is capable of a top class performance. The Africa House is also capable.

In the second leg over 1160m, Vibe SA could go marching on now that he has found the winning thread. He was raised seven points for his last win, but could go on to better than his current 83. The dangers look go be Sea Wolf and Secret Chord. Longsword is hard to ignore as he is capable of a strong finish. Clarkson is also capable on his day.

In the eighth race over 1600m, Mary’s Greenlight could beat the boys despite having to carry top weight as this is the perfect course and distance and she is well drawn with a 1,5kg claimer up. Care Forgot and Player should be in the shake up. Jury’s Out is a decent sort who should be thereabouts and the best weighted Key Element can’t be ignored.

In the last race Komati River looks the one to beat.

The first leg of the Bipot is competitive, but Gimme A Storm will relish the step up in trip and with Lerena up from a good draw is the one to beat.

In the first leg of the PA, Roaming Spirit looks hard to beat and can be a banker.

RACE 1     

1 BINGO 4 MISTER WILSON 2 DRAGONHEART 3 KING BLUETOOTH

Preview: 1 BINGO made a fair debut and the experience together with Lerena up will be  an advantage. 4 MISTER WILSON is by Act Of War out of a Twice Over mare. 2 DRAGONHEART is by Canford Cliffs out of a Black Minnaloushe mare. 3 KING BLUETOOTH is by Erik The Red out of an Irish-bred Dragon Pulse mare. (David Thiselton 1-4-2-3)

RACE 2     

5 GIMME A STORM 2 DYLAN’S CHAMP 4 HONG KONG LUCKY  6 GREAT NOTION

Preview: 5 GIMME A STORM will relish the step up in trip and with Lerena up from a good draw is the one to beat. 2 DYLAN’S CHAMP is knocking hard and has a good opportunity here, although the draw is tricky. 4 HONG KONG LUCKY made a fair debut and should improve over this trip.  6 GREAT NOTION has the form to be in the shake up. (David Thiselton 5-2-4-6)

RACE 3     

7 CAPE SAFFRON 1 ROAMING SPIRIT 9 TRAIL RUNNER 8 OASIS

Preview: 1 ROAMING SPIRIT has been knocking on the door against stronger and will be hard to beat. 7 CAPE SAFFRON made a good debut and should improve, although the draw is not easy. 9 TRAIL RUNNER made a fair debut and should improve. 8 OASIS didn’t do well on debut but should do better with the experience. (David Thiselton 7-1-9-8)

RACE 4     

3 TRUTH 5 CYMRIC 4 RICHARD THE FIRST 1 FIRE ‘N FLAMES

Preview: 3 TRUTH has class and will enjoy the step down in trip. 5 CYMRIC is knocking on the door and has a fair draw over an ideal trip. 4 RICHARD THE FIRST is a decent sort who could be in the shake up. 1 FIRE ‘N FLAMES is classy on his day but needs things to go his way. (David Thiselton 3-5-4-1)

RACE 5     

2 VIBE SA 5 SEA WOLF 1 SECRET CHORD 3 LONGSWORD

Preview: 2 VIBE has matured mentally and this talented horse can score the hattrick. 5 SEA WOLF has a better draw than last time and could do better. 1 SECRET CHORD has been in good form but is drawn on the wrong side and was given another point for a second last time. 3 LONGSWORD is capable of running on so can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 2-5-1-3) 

RACE 6     

2 UNITED COUNCIL 1 MY SOUL MATE 7 DAMOVA 3 EXPLOSIVE BOND

Preview: 2 UNITED COUNCIL won in impressive style last time and can follow up despite a six point raise. 1 MY SOUL MATE is a classy sort who has earned topweight and she should be in the shake up. 7 DAMOVA is a reliable stayer and could be in the shake up despite having a tgough task at the weights. 3 EXPLOSIVE BOND is usually right there but United Council looks to have her held at the weights. (David Thiselton 2-1-7-3)

RACE 7     

6 RADICCHIO 7 STORM BRASCO 8 MASTER CHRISTMAS 2 HOTARUBI

Preview: 6 RADICCHIO has been impressive since arriving on the Highveld and is interesting tried over further. 7 STORM BRASCO is capable of a strong finish from off the pace and should enjoy the step up in trip. 8 MASTER CHRISTMAS is a consistent sort who should be right there over a suitable trip. 2 Hotarubi has class and is distance suited but has not run since the Summer Cup. (David Thiselton 6-7-8-2) 

RACE 8     

1 MARY’S GREENLIGHT 7 CARE FORGOT 9 PLAYER 6 JURY’S OUT

Preview: 1 MARY’S GREENLIGHT is drawn well over an ideal trip and her class will tell. 7 CARE FORGOT is a promising up and coming sort but does have a tricky draw. 9 PLAYER has plenty of ability and can never be ignored. 6 JURY’S OUT has the ability to do well here from a good draw. (David Thiselton 1-7-9-6)

RACE 9     

1 KOMATI RIVER 6 MARIACHI MADNESS 8 DELPHI DANCER 10 LIFE GOES ON

Preview: 1 KOMATI RIVER starts handicapping off a reasonable 78 after a good maiden win. 6 MARIACHI MADNESS is drawn on the right side and if repeating his last start can go close. 8 DELPHI DANCER has the ability to be in the shake up. 10 LIFE GOES ON has dropped to a dangerous mark. (David Thiselton 1-6-8-10)

Andrew Harrison

If one considerers how many fillies run in the Met, they have a fairly good record in Cape Town’s biggest race. There have been four winners this century, River Jetez in 2010 where she beat more fancied stable companion Pocket Power, Igugu in 2012, Smart Call in 2016 and most recently Oh Susanna in 2018.

Red Palace is the only filly in the field for today’s Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met to be run over 2000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth supported by the Hong Kong World Pools. In a line-up that lacks any standouts, Dean Kannemeyer’s charge can add to the list of female winners.

The talented Green With Envy looked to be Kannemeyer’s first choice before being scratched leaving stable rider Craig Zackey without a mount. However, Zackey is contracted to ride for Khaya Stables  so whether he was on the ‘right’ one is a moot point with only the stable privy to that information.

Red Palace has a lot in her favour. Gavin Lerena is currently riding at the peak of his powers and elected to ride the filly ahead of Litigation, Sean Tarry’s charge having finished a close-up third behind many a pundits fancy for today in Premier Trophy winner Rascallion. 

Red Palace also has the best of the draw at one and has no stamina doubts having won over the distance, beating Saartjie in the Gr2 Gold Bracelet last season when trained by Glen Kotzen.

She has changed stables and ownership since that win and her new partnership deciding to send her to Kannemeyer for whom she has had one outing. It was an excellent warm-up leading into the Met as she was doing her best work late behind the top filly Double Grand Slam in the Gr1 Cartier Paddock Stakes.

Kannemeyer is a master at preparing his runners to peak on the day and Red Palace could well put her opposition to the sword.

The only three-year-old in the race is the cleverly named Eight On Eighteen, named by Nick Jonsson after blowing the 18^th hole with an eight in a duel with co-owner Anton Rupert at Leopard Creek. Eight On Eighteen owes his place at the top of the boards to his runner-up berth behind the highly rated One Stripe in the Gr1 Cape Guineas with One Stripe subsequently winning the Gr1 L’Ormarins Kings Plate.

The son of Lancaster Bomber has not been out of the money in his six starts and gets lumps of weight from his older rivals given the WFA status of the race. However, he has yet to race beyond a mile and going the extra two furlongs in the company of the best older horses around is a leap of faith by trainer Justin Snaith.

There appears to be very little separating the older contingent and one can make out a winning case for most of them, depending on where your loyalties lie.

I must admit to having a soft spot for See It Again, hoping that last year’s beaten favourite can turn it around for Michael Roberts and Piere Strydom.

Making excuses for beaten horses is a sure way to the poor house and going on that premise his detractors will point out that the gelding trailed in a dismal last in the Kings Plate, finishing some 16 lengths off the winner and the trip up to the Highveld for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup and the journey to the Cape may well have taken its toll. But there was excuses for the Kings Plate run. With Strydom on the injured list, his place was taken by See It Again’s regular workrider Rachel Venniker who, in spite of her well documented talent, had a nightmare passage. She was hung out to dry as her rivals kept See It Again wide, foiling any attempts to find cover and in the process See It Again picked up an injury.

Roberts is on record that the injury was not serious and that See It Again is in prime condition. Given that under the conditions of the race he is the best weighted over what looks to be his optimum trip, he at the very least, cannot be ignored. Even at age 57, Strydom is still an exceptional talent and more than a match for his younger weighing room rivals and another Met victory would be fitting.

This is one of the more open Mets for many a year and for my money, the result could rest between Red Palace and See It Again but you pays your money and you takes your chances.

There are exceptional supporting features on the 12-race card with the first off at noon. Dyce, with Strydom aboard, is a worthy favourite for the  Gr1 HKJC World Pool Cape Flying Championship although Gimme A Prince could foil his bid and Double Grand Slam will be hot favourite to build on her Paddock Stakes victory in the Gr1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes, second race on the card.

Graeme Hawkins

Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Racecourse comes alive on Saturday for the 163^rd running of the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Gr1) over 2000m. With its proud and long-standing history as one of South Africa’s truly great races, winning the “Met” is on every Owner, Jockey, Trainer and Breeder’s bucket list. Past winners include such legendary names as Sledgehammer (1975); Gatecrasher (1976); Politician (1978 & 1979); Wolf Power (1984); Model Man (1987); Empress Club (1993); London News (1997) and Horse Chestnut (1999). 

More recently Pocket Power won three on the bounce between 2007 and 2009, while Rainbow Bridge emerged as a dual Met hero, in 2019 & 2021. In 2020 Rainbow Bridge was narrowly denied emulating Pocket Power when MJ Beyleveldt, now a member of the Cape Racing Broadcast team, partnered One World to a famous victory over the “Bridge” ridden on that occasion by the World’s leading jockey, Ryan Moore. Kommetdieding scored for Ashley Reynolds three years ago and was then runner-up behind Jet Dark a year later. Last year Double Superlative was a shock 25/1 winner for Owner Nick Jonsson and Champion Trainer Justin Snaith when ridden by UK-based Daniel Muscutt, son of local trainer Peter Muscutt.

Both Nick Jonsson and Justin Snaith are bidding for a ‘Met” hattrick at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday and their hopes are pinned on Eight On Eighteen, the only 3yo in the 16-strong line-up. Snaith does have back-up in the form of Future Swing, Royal Aussie, Magic Verse and Pacaya but none of these are Nick Jonsson-owned. Jonsson does have another ticket in the form of See It Again, trained by Michael Roberts, though the 5yo son of Twice Over ran a shocker in the recent L’Ormarins King’s Plate and it’s hard to know what to expect from the usually consistent multiple Grade 1 winner.

Eight On Eighteen, who has yet to be tested beyond 1600m, is the favourite heading into the 2025 renewal of the WSB Cape Town Met. He was runner-up behind One Stripe in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr1) in December and that form was solidly franked when One Stripe smashed the older horses in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Gr1). It’s not a given that Eight On Eighteen will see out the trip but many are of the view that “if he stays, he wins” and I share that school of thought. For me, Rascallion, Future Swing and Oriental Charm rate the principal threats, but I would not be entirely shocked if Montien, Red Palace or See It Again were to rise to the occasion.

Race 7 – HKJC WORLD POOL CAPE FLYING CHAMPIONSHIP (Gr1) – 1000m

Gimme A Prince and Dyce, winners of the last two editions of the Cape Flying Championship, share favouritism for this year’s renewal but I am leaning towards Dyce who has found his very best form since being gelded. Piere Strydom takes the ride for the Lucky Houdalakis stable and with the track condition likely to be firm and fast, he may just have the edge over Gimme A Prince.

Questioning is not ideally suited to 1000m, but he is as genuine and game as they come and never runs a bad race. He strips very fit and despite harbouring a preference for slightly further, I believe he has a realistic chance of upsetting the applecart and appeals as good each way value at his current odds of 14/1. The race certainly does not end there as the classy Lucky Lad and Surjay could make their presence felt while all of Bereave (third last year behind Dyce), Asiye Phambili and Café Culture could get into the mix.

The race is likely to be run at a helter skelter pace which could set the race up nicely for the swoopers, but the cream should rise to the top and Dyce gets the vote to score at the expense of Questioning and Gimme A Prince.

Race 2 – MAINE CHANCE FARMS MAJORCA STAKES (GR1) – 1600m

This year’s renewal of the Majorca Stakes has attracted a small but high-quality field of 7 fillies and mares and features a clash between the seasoned older brigade against the rising three-year-old stars. Fatal Flaw and Scarlet Macaw finished 1-2 in the World Sports Fillies Guineas (Gr1) in early December and there is no reason to believe that Scarlet Macaw can turn that form around. But will they be able to match strides with the 4yo’s Double Grand Slam and Rascova?

Double Grand Slam is in the form of her life and was most impressive when winning the Cartier Paddock Stakes (Gr1) over 1800m three weeks ago. She is a short-priced favourite to land the coveted Paddock Stakes/Majorca Stakes double, but Double Grand Slam can expect a lot more resistance from Rascova over this shorter trip. The adage “pace makes the race” could come into play here and it will be interesting to see which of Fatal Flaw or Rascova, both natural front-runners, goes forward. But unlike the Cartier Paddock Stakes, when the speed was really on, there is every chance the pace in the Majorca may be slower than standard.

Double Grand Slam gets the nod to beat Rascova and Fatal Flaw, but it may not be as easy a victory as the betting market would suggest.

CARRYOVERS AND WORLD POOL RACES 6 THROUGH 12:

The Hong Kong Jockey Club have announced that Races 6 to 12 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday have been allocated World Pool status which translates into massive tote pools for punters locally and internationally. In addition, the Pick 6 pool is expected to reach R10-million with the aid of a R2-million carryover and the Quartet on Race 8, the WSB Cape Town Met, is likely to top R2-million with the help of a R500 000 carryover.

The first race, the R600 000 Heineken Summer Juvenile Stakes over 1100m, is also the first leg of Jackpot One (there are three Jackpots on the day) and Clair de Lune appeals as one of the better bets on a wonderful day of high quality racing action.

Graeme Hawkins

It’s been more than 14 years since Michael “Lucky” Houdalakis and Piere “Striker” Strydom teamed up with JJ The Jet Plane to win the Hong Kong International Sprint (Gr1) at Shatin Racecourse in 2010. Now the pair combine with the talented Dyce in the R1,5-million Cape Flying Championship (Gr1) over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday. Ironically, the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool are the sponsors of the 2025 renewal of the Cape Flying Championship so in some sense it could be a case of déjà vu.

Dyce is the defending Champion having won last year’s event under Craig Zackey who will this year be aboard the 2023 winner Gimme A Prince. Following his victory last year, Dyce lost his way and owner David Shawe agreed with trainer Lucky Houdalakis that the 6yo son of William Longsword should be gelded. The unkindest cut of all worked a treat for Dyce and with Strydom now firmly a member of the Dyce partnership, he reeled off three consecutive wins before going down narrowly to Golden Sickle in December.

Many in the 14-strong field are not 1000m speed merchants but Dyce is very much at home over the minimum trip and all things being equal, he should go very close to retaining the Trophy. He is raiding Hollywoodbets Kenilworth from his base at the Vaal – as he did successfully last year – and Lucky confirmed that Dyce arrived in Cape Town on Tuesday morning in good order.

As mentioned, Zackey now rides Gimme A Prince for his “boss” Dean Kannemeyer and the multiple Grade-One winner commands huge respect. My only concern is that in recent times the Khaya Stables owned 6yo son of Gimmethegreenlight has been running over 1400m & 1600m, including an excellent third in the recent L’Ormarins Kings Plate, and he may now have lost the edge needed to come out on top over 1000m on a super-fast track. But win or lose, there is no doubt that he will be flying home over the final 200m. 

Questioning is in terrific form and is as honest and genuine as they come. He would prefer 1200m-1400m, but he has been expertly trained by Vaughan Marshall to be as sharp as can be and he came through his last run in the 1000m Winchester Cup with flying colours. He was beaten only a length by the lightning quick Candy Town but was conceding the winner as much as 10,5kgs and the 4yo son of Querari looks overpriced in the ante-post market. Bereave signalled a return to form in the Winchester Cup and although flying well under the radar, we must not forget he did run third behind Dyce in last year’s edition of the Cape Flying Championship.

Of the balance Asiye Phambili, Café Culture and Surjay make some appeal and could upset the applecart but, fit and well, Dyce could deliver for “Lucky” and “Striker” with Questioning and Gimme A Prince fancied to follow him home. The HKJC Cape Flying Championship is one of three Grade 1 races on Saturday’s World Sports Betting Cape Town Met bumper 12-race programme and is the fourth leg of the projected R10-million Pick 6.