The three-year-old form is still unravelling at this stage of the season, but the Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred grey could hardly have been more impressive and brought back memories of the champion trainer’s best ever horse, the mighty Horse Chestnut, when accelerating away from the field in effortless fashion in the closing stages to win by 2,5 lengths under Anthony Delpech.

Her starting odds shortened to 3/10 after Cold As Ice had burst through the stalls, dislodging her jockey and galloping to the parade ring.

Majmu broke well and was initially in the front before her stablemate Ataab, who was a bit slowly away, rounded her and set the good pace that would best suit her. Delpech took Majmu to the front quite early in the straight as he had to squeeze through a gap between Ataab and the rail. However, he then gave her a breather until the 400m mark.

In the meantime the new second favourite, the Glen Kotzen-trained Double Whammy, had produced a fine turn of foot from midfield and was going like a freight train on the rail, while the Mike Bass-trained Inara was also making a strong forward move. However, just when an upset looked possible, Majmu was given more rein and simply accelerated away from the danger. Inaara finished second, narrowly ahead of Double Whammy, and Jet Set Go was next best.

De Kock’s first words were one of sympathy for the connections of Cold As Ice, but he went on to confirm that Majmu would be staying on in Cape Town.

Gr 1 Races like the Maine Chance Paddock Stakes, the Klawervlei Majorca and even the J &B Met will be possibilities for this exciting filly. After yesterday’s win she already has one leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara under her belt and looks a virtual certainty to become the new darling of the South African turf.

Earlier, the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner, the Mike Bass-trained Fly By Night, showed her class by winning the Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m. The ever improving five-year-old Jet Master mare tracked the Gr 1 Allan Robertson winner, the De Kock-trained Alboran Sea, before producing a telling late run under Bernard Fayd’Herbe to catch the latter in the shadow of the post and win by 0,5 lengths. The merit of the performance of both horses was illustrated by the gap of 6,25 lengths between them and the rest of a quality field, which was headed by Savannah Song. Alboran Sea was backed in to 11/10 favourite and Fly By Night started at 3/1.

The Listed Val De Ra Southeaster Sprint over 1100m was won by the Darry Hodgson-trained six-year-old gelding Dressed In Cotton under Gerrit Schlechter, despite being 2kg under sufferance. The Justin Snaith-trained favourite Daring Dave overtook the pacesetter and second favourite Captain Of All close to home and looked the winner, but was caught on the line by Dressed In Cotton, while another outsider, Villa Del Largo, got up to dead-heat with his stablemate for second.

 Picture: Majmu and Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

She would be unbeaten had not S’Manga Khumalo had the sort of ride that jockeys have nightmares about in the Joburg Spring Challenge, getting into as many pockets as a snooker player.

“Majmu has a turn of foot that is unbelievable,” said Mike de Kock after she had put the record straight on Charity Mile day – and seemingly that is not her only attribute. “She is a very straightforward filly. Anybody could train her – even you!” says the eight-time champion trainer. “She is also straightforward to ride.”

Much has been said about stable companion Ataab’s presumed role as pacemaker but apparently it is hardly necessary. “It all depends on how Ataab breaks,” De Kock explains. “If she breaks in front I would be happy to see her lead but she can also come from behind. If it is a slow pace Majmu can accelerate although, that said, I think a good pace always matters to good horses.”

She is a prohibitive price – 3-10 yesterday with Betting World and others– but there are stamina doubts about 4-1 second favourite Cold As Ice who is bidding to become the sixth Choice Carriers winner to take the Fillies Guineas in ten years.

The doubts have been frequently voiced by her trainer but some outstanding work-outs seem to have erased them, at least in Joey Ramsden’s mind. “I now have no worries about her staying the trip,” he says.  ”I know she couldn’t stay on pedigree but she relaxes so well.”

But Glen Kotzen and Greg Cheyne are praying that Ataab does break like a scalded cat so that Double Whammy (8-1) doesn’t have to do the donkey work yet again, and can live up to what they believe is her true potential. “She’s had a good preparation and she looks fantastic,” enthuses Kotzen.

The rest are long shots although Vaughan Marshall believes there are grounds for thinking that 14-1 shot Jet Set Go can make up at least some of the two and a half lengths she was beaten in the Choice Carriers. “The extra 200m will [make a difference] and so will the longer run-in,” he reasons.

Mike Bass believes that fourth-placed Inara (25-1) can also step up: “The extra furlong will definitely suit her and she is drawn well which will help. She is a fair filly and I hope she will finish in the frame.”

However Justin Snaith, bidding for his fifth Fillies Guineas in eight seasons, can’t see 33-1 chance Sunset Tripp providing him with a belated 40^th birthday present. “This is a big ask and we’ve got our work cut out,” he admits. ”I’m sure Mike de Kock won’t allow a slow pace, and a strong one won’t suit our filly.”

Alboran Sea is, a little surprisingly perhaps, 16-10 favourite for the Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes. She is up against the Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night and she was reported in post-race distress when beaten into fourth at odds-on last time.

“She was only slightly distressed,”says De Kock. “”It was soft ground, she had a hard race against older horses and that took its toll over virtually six furlongs. She is better over five on fast ground.”

Fly By Night could be better value at 7-2 even though Grant van Niekerk has opted for stable companion Lanner Falcon. “Grant kept changing his mind and he now thinks he might be on the wrong one,” says Bass. “Fly By Night has come on since her win and she has an obvious chance.”

Taking a horse down from Johannesburg to Cape Town for a big race is no easy task, as was highlighted by the great De Kock-trained Igugu’s defeat in the Cape Fillies Guineas in 2010. The depth of class in the field that Majmu faces is greater and is headed by a filly in the Joey Ramsden-trained Cold As Ice who could still be anything.

De Kock’s other runner Ataab has the same owner as Majmu and could well ensure the good pace that Majmu will need in order to unleash her powerful finishing run.  The only concern for Majmu is that she has never raced around a left hand turn, but she was shown the turn by big race jockey Anthony Delpech yesterday (Thursday).

Cold As Ice kicked on superbly from a handy position in the slow run Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m last time out. She would love another “Cape crawl” as she has a stamina doubt, but is unlikely to get it and her draw of eight in the small ten-horse field is tricky.

Majmu is drawn six and Ataab, fresh from a decent third place in last weekend’s Gr 3 Fillies Mile at Kenilworth, is one outside of her. Ataab will be very fit and could stay on for a place.

Choice Carriers runner-up Double Whammy is known as a front-runner but was reportedly tucked in behind two horses in work the other day and the result had trainer Glen Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne excited. She is drawn in pole and could be in the box seat if Ataab is sent to the front.

Jet Set Go and Inara stayed on gamely for third and fourth in the Choice Carrriers without making inroads.

Grey Light has impressed with her strong finishing run before but was too far back in the Choice Carriers from a wide draw. She has another wide draw but will appreciate the longer straight and could earn.

Jeweller’s Joy didn’t enjoy much luck in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m but still managed a running on 3,75 length sixth to an exciting unbeaten colt. She is drawn well in three. Sunset Tripp set the pace in the Ready To Run Stakes and stayed on gamely for a 2,75 length third. However, she has never been this trip before and is widely drawn again. Cuvee Brut has run on well to win her last two sprints, but this a big step up in class.

Majmu is selected to beat Cold As Ice with Double Whammy, Ataab and Grey Light next best.

The weight for age Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m is an intriguing race, but Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night would have come on from her reappearance win and might have too much class. Rosier and Varikate both likely needed their last starts and have weight turnarounds with Fly By Night. Gr 1-winning speedster Alboran Sea should love this tough 1000m and has a fine chance if at her best. Lanner Falcon and Priceless Jewel would prefer further, but have class and can’t be ignored.

In the Listed Val de Ra Southeaster Sprint Daring Dave will enjoy the drop down to 1100m and is improving with each race. Happy Forever should be cherry-ripe and will enjoy this trip. Crescendo is a tough galloping type and could be good place value. Captain On The Run should do well with a light weight. Captain Of All is all class and is fit, but it will be tough to win with 61kg after a break of over a year.

The improving Ideal Countess could win the first from Sister Act.

Fire Master is well regarded and will appreciate the 200m extra of the second race, so if jumping better than last time looks to be a good bet. Upper Echelon has a good draw for a change and could win the third over 1400m. She would probably prefer 1600m but does wear first-time blinkers.

Improving stayer Even So has a perfect draw for his front-running style and could claim a hat-trick with a light weight in the fourth over 2400m.

The eighth could go to the well regarded Mint Master who is better than his last start, although topweight Lotus Lily Lake looks useful and could prove a tough nut to crack.

The impressive Bianzino should love the longer straight of the new course and could win the ninth. The last could be fought out by the improving Street Flyer and Master Runner, who was green on his fair debut.

Picture: Cold As Ice and Double Whammy (Liesl King)

However, many punters will be wishing that Strydom was riding rather than watching as they face a very difficult card.

The opening leg of the Pick 6 could prove to be a toss-up between Royalsecuritybaby and Sluice Gate although the betting indicates a wide open race with the former a weak 5-2 favourite. Prolific owner Roy Moodley has been having an extend run of good fortune with winners coming thick and fast. The Moodley-owned Royalsecuritybaby was a winner two runs back from a wide draw over the course and distance and followed up with a fast-finishing second last time out. A repeat showing should at least see her in the money.

Sluice Gate tried to make all the running when fitted with blinkers and now gets the benefit of a 2,5kg claimer in Callan Murray and could keep going this time round.

Roy’s Royalty, another Moodley-owned runner, returns from a break and drops back in trip so may just need it. However, she was in good form before the break.

Paree and Stirling Leaves are vying for favouritism in the fifth with the former at the top of the boards. The Mike de Kock-trained filly made marked improvement on a modest debut when coming from the clouds to shed her maiden and she looks to be on the up.

Weiho Marwing is starting to step out runners after his recent move to Ashburton with Isobar his first winner since his move. Stirling Leaves was touched off in her last Turffontein start and was never far back. These two look set to fight it out.

Frank Robinson has had good success on the poly and he saddles Burmudabreeze in the sixth. The five-year-old has taken a new lease on life since being sent on the synthetic surface and it obviously agrees with his aging legs. His best form is over 1000m but he does have a plum draw.

Doug Campbell is another trainer whose runners have taken to the poly and Harry Peppa has finished in the money in all three starts on the surface. He tried hard behind the well fancied Al Ciberano in an apprentice handicap last run and looks to have a fair chance here.

Recent maiden winner Snowman is a weak 4-1 favourite for the sixth where a host of runners look to have strong winning chances. Snowman looks to be a nice gelding in the making but he does take on some salted opposition. Samhaan, when good is very good, when bad is very bad, so is a runner than cannot be left out with any comfort. Silver Spring is back from a break but is useful while stable companion Buffalo Bill was touched off last time out. One can make a case for almost all 10 runners so not a race to go light in, in the exotics.

Nisa’s Love is another weak favourite in the eighth but she has gone well on the poly and should be right there. Artistically Done is a tough old mare who is another that has taken to the poly and got up late to win her latest. Oi Yoi Yoi can improve on her last effort while recent maiden winner Secret Admirer is not without a chance.

Ahlaam and Tigress Poem look the most likely to fight out the last. Ahlaam improved last run when tried in blinkers while Tigress Poem has failed narrowly at her last two and is due a change of fortune.

Capetown Noir (Liesl King)

Trainer Dean Kannemeyer said that a recurrence of an injury from the 2014 KZN Champions Season had led to a decision by his owners Khaya Stables to immediately retire the valuable horse.

The champion colt was destined for an overseas campaign, but plans were aborted after his injury.

Dean Kannemeyer – disappointed but says he will make a top stallion

“He ran a nice race in the Merchants recently and I had intended to aim him at the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate double. But the injury sadly flared up again and after consultation with our Veterinary team and Jehan Malherbe, his owners have decided to do what is best for the horse and retire him. I support the decision fully and he should make for an outstanding stallion. He is a superbly bred good looking horse, a magnificent mover with character and a terrific temperament. He has got to go down as the best miler I have trained. I am looking forward to seeing him go on and make his mark at stud,” he said.

Capetown Noir has everything required to make it to the top in the breeding paddocks.

He was bred by Lammerskraal Stud and is by the ill-fated multiple champion sire Western Winter out of Equus champion broodmare, Akinfeet, a daughter of champion broodmare sire, Fort Wood.

Jehan Malherbe – looking at stud options Capetown Noir was purchased for Khaya Stables by Dean Kannemeyer and Form Bloodstock’s Jehan Malherbe for R1 million on the National Yearling Sale.

He won eight races from 1200m to 2000m and was at his brilliant best at a mile.

Capetown Noir’s victories included the unique Gr1 Cape Guineas and Gr1 Cape Derby double, SA’s premier WFA Mile, the Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate as well as the Gr3 Byerley Turk and Gr3 Matchem Stakes.

No decision has yet been made as to where he will stand but he is bound to prove an invaluable addition to the local stallion ranks.

www.dkannemeyerracing.com