The clash matches any duel the race has seen in its long history and is as eagerly anticipated as the one between the De Kock-trained Igugu and the Justin Snaith-trained Ebony Flyer in 2010.

Interestingly, Igugu and Ebony Flyer were also ridden by Delpech and Fayd’Herbe respectively. The vanquished Igugu went on to become a national hero by winning the Triple Tiara and then doing the Vodacom Durban July/J&B Met double, all under the skilled hands of Delpech. However, her defeat in the Cape Fillies Guineas was a bitter pill to swallow, especially as the pair never met again.

Delpech said sometime later that Igugu had felt “lost” first time out on a left hand turn and besides being caught wide she had not quite been herself on the day. He and De Kock will not want to experience a repeat dose from the Capetonians.

The KZN-based jockey flew down to Cape Town last night (Wednesday) in order that he could show Majmu the turn at Kenilworth today (Thursday). Majmu only arrived in Cape Town yesterday and is being stabled at Kenilworth.

Delpech was reluctant to compare Majmu (pictured) to Igugu and said, “Igugu won so many Gr 1s and Majmu is just starting out, so it would not be fair to compare them yet. But she is obviously very good and I’m really excited as it is only now that we are taking on the better horses and we will see how good she is.”

The robust Australian-bred grey by Redoute’s Choice possesses devastating finishing speed, but in her two runs this season has appeared to take a while to get going. Delpech said, “She does unwind, although it depends how the race is run. Last time I dropped her out because of her wide draw, but she is a simple straight forward filly to ride.”

Interestingly, De Kock has entered another horse, the classy Ataab,  who has the same owner as Majmu, Sheik Hamdan bin Rashid al Maktoum. It needn’t even be asked that the purpose of this entry is to ensure the good pace that will give Majmu her best chance of winning.

Fayd’Herbe on the other hand said, “I would love it if it were the normal Cape crawl!” Both he and Ramsden have a doubt that Cold As ice will stay a true mile and if it does turn into a sprint for home it would suit her down to the ground.

The Western Winter filly has won her last three starts effortlessly, including the Gr 2 Choice Carriers Championship over 1400m last time out where she showed a fine turn of foot from a handy position.

Ebony Flyer was drawn four in 2010 and Igugu eight, but this year De Kock has the advantage as Majmu is drawn six to Cold As Ice’s eight.

Fayd’Herbe said yesterday, “Cold as Ice is fit and doing really well, we are very happy, and her last gallop went really well. I will just be giving her a sprint up tomorrow (today (Thursday) ). We have obviously heard a lot about Majmu and seen her, so know how good she is, but I am excited about Saturday’s race.”

There are a number of other horses in the field that could be a threat.

Chief among them is the Glen Kotzen-trained Choice Carriers 1,25 length runner up Double Whammy, who is known to be a front-runner. However, Kotzen said that this Judpot filly had been forced to take it up last time due to the slow pace and when she was put in behind two horses in work the other day the result excited both Kotzen and jockey Greg Cheyne. Kotzen said, “It was a fantastic gallop and she did it very easily.”

Kotzen also runs the Trippi filly Jeweller’s Joy and after her fine sixth place finish in the Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, in which she didn’t enjoy much luck, Cheyne had returned to say he couldn’t tell who was better, Jeweller’s Joy or Double Whammy. Double Whammy is drawn in pole position and Jeweller’s Joy is in barrier three with the experienced Karl Neisius aboard.

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Jet Master filly Jet Set Go, who is drawn four with MJ Byleveld up, also has a chance. She was running on well for a 2,5 length third in the Choice Carrier’s and will prefer the longer straight of the New Course as well as the step up in distance.

This is the first three-year-old Gr 1 of the season and it should be a humdinger.

Pictures: Cold As Ice (Liesl King); Majmu (JC Photos)

As a trainer who has dominated the Cape Fillies Guineas in recent times with four wins in the last seven renewals he knows exactly how good a horse has to be to win it.

He said, “You have to have a superstar to win it and this year’s three-year-old fillies are very good. Sunset Tripp is doing very well and for a filly to run third in the Ready To Run Stakes was impressive. We would have preferred a better draw, but she is doing very well, she has no niggles, she is hassle free, and is a real trier.”

If she proves not good enough to win, she could at least play an important role as the pacemaker as she did in the Ready To Run Stakes. This is especially in light of trainer Glen Kotzen saying that his charge Double Whammy had been a reluctant leader in the Gr 2 Choice Carrier Championship over 1400m last time out and the yard planned to adopt different tactics this time. However, Snaith said, “If we do lead we will do it on our own terms.”

The likely favourite from the Mike de Kock yard, Majmu, will be hard to beat if there is a good pace and it looks increasingly likely that her stablemate Ataab might go the front to ensure a strong gallop. Snaith won this big race with Captain’s Lover in 2007, Sparkling Gem in 2008, Ebony Flyer in 2010 and In The Fast Lane last year.

Snaith said that his yard was in good form and could be followed. “The bipot is the best new bet around and a good one for followers of our yard because we are consistently close.”

Daring Dave looks their probable best runner on the day in the Listed Val De Ra Southeaster Sprint over 1100m. The four-year-old Dynasty gelding was only caught late by Tevez last time out in the Gr 2 Cape Merchants over 1200m and looks likely to appreciate the slight drop in trip.

Snaith said, “He was unlucky last time as the loose horse forced him to go too soon and Sean (Cormack) said if he could ride him again he would wait longer. His aim has always been the Gr 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship, it’s still a long way off, so I have done very little with this horse. I have hardly galloped him at all, and he should be getting better with every run.”

Cap Alright also runs in that race and Snaith said, “He was disappointing last time and hope he can make a comeback, otherwise we will try him over further.”

The yard run the five-year-old Var mare Varikate and the three-year-old Antonius Pius filly Arria in the weight for age Gr 2 Tony Taberer Southern Cross Stakes for fillies and mares over 1000m. Varikate beat males in the Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville during the Champions Season. She is 4kg better off with Gr 1 Mercury Sprint winner Fly By Night for a 3,5 length beating in a conditions race over the Southern Cross course and distance last time out.

However Snaith said, “When I saw her in the ring last time, I knew I hadn’t done enough with her and we’re hoping we can get closer to Fly By Night this time.” Varikate has natural speed and is usually right up with the pace so as a fitter horse should run all the way to the line this time unlike last time when leading and fading late.

Snaith said about Arria, “Two-year-old racing is weak in Cape Town and her good juvenile form just hasn’t worked out.”

Snaith mentioned a few other runners, “Fire Master (runs in the 2nd race, a maiden over 1200m) will be a very nice horse in time and might go close here. The Jet (8th race, a MR 77 handicap over 1000m) hated the tailwind last time so will do better, but its too close to call between her and Lotus Lily Lake, who won well last time and has a chance if repeating that run. We are just testing the waters with Current Event (4th race MR 74 Handicap over 2400m) as Port Elizabeth staying races are weak. Bianzino (9th race, an MR 69 handicap over 1600m) is a very nice up and coming sort and we are expecting a good run.

Picture: Arria – Richard Fourie (Liesl King)

It was also a good day for Maine Chance Farms as the sires of these two winners, Black Minnaloushe and Lateral, both stand at that stud farm.

However, the result of the Investec Gr 2 Dingaans over 1600m, won easily by Unparalleled, might have cast further doubt on the strength of this year’s three-year-old male crop, at least on paper.

The reason is their form against older horses.

In Cape Town the Gr 1-winning Afrikaburn finished a flying two length second in his reappearance in the Gr 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m on weight for age (wfa) terms, but was beaten 6,35 lengths into seventh in the wfa Gr 2 Green Point Stakes over 1600m. Another highly regarded three-year-old, Light The Lights, finished 6,55 lengths back in eighth in the Green Point.

Dingaans winner Unparalleled only won his maiden in his fifth start over 1450m and after finishing a narrow second in a three-year-old handicap over 1450m in his first run out of the maidens, he then ran second again against older horses in a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, despite running off only an 83 merit rating. However, he was admittedly a touch unlucky in the latter event.

Furthermore, Dingaans third-placed French Navy, beaten 5,5 lengths on Saturday, was beaten in a MR 76 Handicap over 1400m in his penultimate start, despite running off a merit rating of only 79.

However, history has shown that it is nothing unusual for young three-year-olds to battle in handicaps and that the visual impression they create is probably more important than their early season form against older horses.

Furthermore, the Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old Trippi colt Trip To Heaven beat older horses comfortably in the Gr 2 Merchants on Saturday, a handicap over 1160m, despite running off a 101 merit rating and being 1,5kg under sufferance.

Harry’s Son, the Equus Champion Two-year-old of last season, started favourite in the Dingaans and was as visually impressive going down to post as usual, while French Navy is also an eyecatching sort and was only having his fourth start.

Unparelleled put up a fine performance, considering he quickened from a handy position off a strong pace and galloped all the way to the line. Van Vuuren confirmed that this horse is improving all the time. The Dingaans time was just over a second slower than the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Stakes, which was won by the four-year-old filly Arcetri Pink who carried only 1,5kg more than Unparalleled, So that shouldn’t detract from the Dingaans form, especially considering the latter race’s time was comfortably quicker than the other two 1600m events on the card.

Some pundits felt that Piere Strydom had Harry’s Son too far back in the running. However, his ride can hardly be faulted as he rousted him in the early stages and then took a bump that knocked him sideways before he slotted him into a midfield position that looked perfect considering the strong pace. Harry’s Son looked to be cruising at the 300m mark, but unlike his previous start over 1400m in the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes when doing his best work late, he could only plug on gamely from then on and was beaten 4,25 lengths into second. It is too early to tell whether he would prefer an easier mile as he is bred to stay further and this was also the second time within a month that he had travelled from Durban to Johannesburg.

Unparelleled is by the champion freshman sire of last season, Lateral, who was a Gr 1 winning miler in Italy. Lateral is proving versatile and having produced the winner of the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1400m last season in Bilateral, he recently produced a Gr 2 jumps winner over 3500m in Europe.

Unparalleled has a strong female line. He is out of Sublime Surge, an unraced half-sister by Elliodor to the dual Gr 1-winning miler Crimson Waves. He is a half-brother to the three-times Gr 1 runner up Straight Set. He was signed for at the sale by V. Veeramootoo for what now looks a bargain R150,000. Veeramootoo owns him in partnership with Andre Fouche, M Gullan and BJD Pepper. The last mentioned is the father of the well known racing presenter Gareth.

Saturday’s Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup winner, the Black Minnaloushe colt Louis The King, was regarded by Kahan as his best male on the 2012 Suncoast Yearling Sale, despite being the resulting foal of a maiden Rich Man’s Gold mare that he had bought in foal for a mere R20,000. However, the colt drew little interest in the ring and was bought back for R55,000 before Kahan famously sold him to Woodruff in a deal that was done in the sales car park. Woodruff’s client Tiaan van der Vyfer then bought him and named him after his son Louis. He gave Louis the horse as a gift and Louis The King was the first ever racehorse the latter owned.

After Saturday’s success Louis The King’s stake earnings soared to R4,802,500, and that excludes the R2 million bonus he landed when becoming the first horse this century to win the SASCOC Triple Crown.

Black Minnaloushe was a twice Gr 1-winning miler, while Louis The King’s second dam was the Gr 3-winning sprinter Milden Hall. Therefore, Louis The King likely gets his stamina from Rich Man’s Gold, who is a son of Forty Niner, a multiple Gr 1 winner up to 2000m.

Picture: JC Photos

Woodruff didn’t do quite as well as last year when sending out the trifecta but his remarks that Louis The King’s preparation had gone perfectly and that Killua Castle’s last run from a wide draw in the “bog” could be ignored proved to be spot on. 

Louis The King was placed perfectly about six lengths off the pace that was set reluctantly by Bold Inspiration and was not a strong one. The mare Jet Belle struck the front quite early in the straight and took about a two length lead but challengers began coming from all sides in the drying ground, which was officially posted as “good”.

The crowd roared as Louis The King, backed in to 18/10, began closing in on the outside but in the meantime his 66/1 shot stablemate Killua Castle had burst through in the centre. Louis The King then showed the courage that is the hallmark of all great champions. Both protagonists drifted towards the inside but it was the four-year-old Alchemy-bred Black Minnaloushe colt that responded to the crowd’s urging and managed to extract the necessary extra, despite carrying 59kg and giving Killua Castle 2,5kg.

The winning margin was 0,25 lengths and there was then a further 2,75 lengths back to the Tyrone Zackey-trained Gr 2 Victory Moon winner  Judicial. The Gr 1 Gold Cup winner the Brett Crawford-trained Wavin’ Flag was next best ahead of the Victory Moon runner up, the Alec Laird-trained Earl Of Derby. The Gavin van Zyl-trained No Worries filled the all important 6th place, as the Tote paid out that number of places.

Up and coming trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren took a chance entering Unparalleled in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m considering the gelding had taken five runs to win his maiden and was rated only 86. However, his belief in the Alchemy-bred by Lateral proved spot on as he came from a handy position off a strong pace and galloped on strongly to win by a facile 4,25 lengths under Gavin Lerena, defying his 55/1 odds. The favourite Harry’s Son took a bump early but was well positioned to strike and appeared to be cruising at the 300m. However, he could only plug on gamely and although he put 1,25 lengths between himself and the rest of the  field, the impression given was that he might prefer an easier mile. French Navy finished third ahead of the winner’s fancied female stablemate Siren’s Call and Illuminati was fifth.

Gavin van Zyl had a strong hand in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile and in the end it was the most fancied of his quintet, the Mauritzfontein-owned and bed Horse Chestnut filly Banbury, that was given a superbly judged ride by Piere Strydom to catch the Tote favourite Smart Call late and win by 1,25 lengths. The fancied Ataab was a further two lengths back in third.

The Gr 2 Stonach Group Racing Merchants over 1160m was won by the Highlands Farms Stud-bred three-year-old Trippi colt Trip To Heaven, who is trained by Sean Tarry and was ridden by birthday boy S’manga Khumalo. The classy 2/1 favourite crept closer from some way off the pace before showing a fantastic turn of foot and winning by 1,5 lengths from One Man’s Dream and the winner’s stablemate Blazing Al.

The Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m saw the Woodruff-trained Arcetri Pink proving her liking for course and distance and bursting out of the pack to win comfortably under Gavin Lerena at odds of 6/1. She is an Australian-bred by Rock Of Gibraltar and won the Gr Gauteng Guineas over course and distance last season. Pine Princess ran on well to just pip the favourite Carry On Alice for second. The latter is a top class three-year-old and didn’t have an ideal preparation as her seasonal reappearance was just nine days earlier and she should bounce back from this defeat.

The Ormond Ferraris-trained three-year-old Toreador filly Lazer Star remained unbeaten when showing pace throughout to win the Gr 3 Hardware Magnolia Handicap easily over 1160m under Weichong Marwing from Winter Star and Pej. The Tawny Syndicate bred horse is owned by Marwing’s wife Anneline and started 4/1 favourite.

The Dominic Zaki-trained five-year-old Highlands Farm Stud-bred Dynasty gelding Shimmering Gem showed amazing guts and staying power to win the Gr 3 Racing Association Handicap over 3200m by a comfortable margin under Khumalo.

Picture: Hack Media

Triple Crown hero Louis The King’s eyecatching preparation run in the Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile was his seasonal reappearance and he has “come along nicely since then.” He will love the expected soft going.

Rake’s Chestnut proved he enjoys this trip when a narrow second to Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000 and on that run he is well handicapped. He should handle soft going and although he lost his jockey at the start last time out in the Charity Mile he would have at least had a good blow out.

Disco Al has caught the eye as one that should love the course and distance and from pole position draw could be good place value. Judicial looks fair value considering his good win in the Gr 2 Victory Moon in testing conditions over 1800m on his reappearance. He is now 6 points higher in the merit ratings but has come into his own and can’t be ignored. Bold Inspiration is a big, long-striding sort who should love the Turffontein Standside track and it is easy to imagine him running on gamely throughout the straight, although travelling to altitude for a race this far is never easy.

Bouclette Top and As You Like are well handicapped with Louis The King on Triple Crown form but that didn’t help them much in the Charity Mile. However, Bouclette Top is having his third run after a rest and gelding. The yard make him a big runner over a trip he should enjoy. As You Like, who does have his niggles, was having his first run after a rest and gelding then and has been working “beautifully” so could well be a bigger threat this time.

Lockheed Jetstar plugged on gamely in the Charity mile and faces Louis The King on the same terms for a 0,5 length beating. He should get it on pedigree and Richard Fourie in the saddle from a good draw are two bonuses. Killua Castle looks a touch high in the handicap and appears to prefer fast ground.

Bezanova has grown into his big frame and is having his third run after a rest over a suitable trip, so could be a factor from a good draw despite a three point raise for his Charity Mile win.

Earl Of Derby ran a fine second in testing going in the Gr 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m, so will love the going and could run into the money, although from a wide draw he will likely have to make up a lot of ground.

Jet Belle is full of class and has won a Gr 2 over 2000m, but a wide draw and soft ground over this trip could be a concern. Athina is also widely drawn and full of class but the trip in soft conditions creates a question mark. Glorious Jet ran fair races in the Charity Mile and Victory Moon but now has a very wide draw.

Wavin’ Flag would prefer further but will love a true stamina test so might fare well in soft conditions on this tough track. Sovereign Mint has improved and runs on well over shorter so could get the trip but he has a very wide draw.  Everest is a handy type and will likely find it tough to keep this field at bay. Enchanted Silk will love soft ground but has a tough task at the weights.

The selection is Louis The King from Rake’s Chestnut, Judicial, Disco Al, Bold Inspiration and Bouclette Top.

Champion colt Harry’s Son has a fine racing temperament and is improving all the time so will be hard to beat in the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m. Jayyed was running on late over 1400m in the Graham Beck so will prefer this trip, but is now 4,5kg worse off with Harry’s Son. The filly Siren’s Call’s formlines are very strong. Front Rank proved his liking for testing conditions last time over course and distance and is well drawn. Pioneer Spirit was staying on well in the Ready To Run Cup and being by Go Deputy will be improving all the time. They are tipped in the order of mention.

Smart Call has very strong form and could be the one to beat in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile from a good draw. Kileigh has a wide draw but is well regarded and could be the day’s best place bet. Ataab is an improving sort and could be next best from Zrinski and Banbury.

For The Lads has relished returning to sprints and is well handicapped in the Gr 3 Magnolia where she is tipped to beat Pej, who will love soft ground, Goldie Coast, Tzigane and African Dream.

Flyfirstclass should love the Turffontein straight and is tipped to win the Merchants from Kingston Boy, Normanz, Vulcan and Showmetheway.

Carry On Alice is ultra classy and should win the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe over 1600m, despite her reappearance having been a bit close. Mohave Princess is underrated and improving and gets a fair draw for a change so is tipped as the danger. Pine Princess, Silver Class and Arcetri Pink could be next best.

Shimmering Gem impressed from the front last time and can follow up in the Gr 3 RA Handicap from Baracah, Savage Wind, Sky Rise and Henry Higgins.

Picture: Louis The King and Rake’s Chestnut (Nkosi Hlophe)