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.

RACE 1

3 CLAIR DE LUNE moved up exceptionally well in her last start when finishing second behind her stable companion, she looks to be a classy filly that will get better with more racing, there is no doubt she will be a huge runner here. 8 PARENTAL GUIDANCE looks to be a smart colt in the making, he ran a cracking race behind the unbeaten Black Cheetah in his last start on the 4th of January, the yard thinks highly of this individual, he should run a good race again. 1 WILD WILD GREEN was heavily supported in the market when making a winning debut on the 14th of December, she isn’t very big this daughter of Gimmethegreenlight, but she can quicken very well in her race, include her, she could be anything. 6 SHE’S MY WORLD ran a cracker on debut when staying on strongly for second, she will improve quite a bit from that and could be the value in this race. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 8 – 1 – 6)

RACE 2

4 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM quickened up in devastating fashion to win her Group 1 last time, she has been in terrific form this season and will be very hard to beat here, she is undoubtedly one of the better bets on the card. 7 FATAL FLAW was given a top ride in her last start to win a great race on the 7th of December, she likes to race up on speed and then kicks on strongly all the way to the line, with a similar performance of her Grade 1 victory last time, she will be the biggest danger to Double Grand Slam. 6 SCARLET MACAW ran on powerfully behind Fatal Flaw in the Cape Fillies Guineas to finish second, she is improving rapidly with every start, watch her closely. 2 RASCOVA is extremely honest at this level, she tries hard and should be in the money. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 7 – 6 – 2)

RACE 3

6 JOY AND PEACE won impressively at Fairview Racecourse on the 3rd of January, she ran on strongly to win going away on that occasion, jockey Richard Fourie knows her well and she should love the 2000m trip at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, include her into all bets. 1 GIMMETHATPEARL has always been packed with ability, she looked well last time and won a super race on the 28th of December, she is in good form at the moment and should get the run of the race from a top draw of one. 2 SAARTJIE never really got into the race in her last start behind Double Grand Slam, she is a lot better than her recent form, the blinkers have been fitted again and that could help her chances. 3 TIME FOR LOVE came back at them late to run a good third in her most recent start, she raced as if the 2000m trip would suit her down to the ground, include her into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 1 – 2 – 3)

RACE 4

8 POETS WARRIOR brings in some strong Johannesburg form into this Grade 3 stayers event, he has won his last three races with absolute ease, he likes to race up on speed and he stays really well, he could be very hard to fetch late. 7 TRIPLE TIME should be cherry ripe for this race, he is much better than his recent form over 1800m, now that he is back over the right trip, he should show sharp improvement, include him into all bets. 4 KING PELLES absolutely relished the step up in trip to 2500m last time, he sat just off the pace and finished strongly to win a good race, he is very consistent and should be right there again despite his rating going up significantly. 10 HOLDING THUMBS is as honest as they come, the blinkers have been fitted, and he should remain competitive in this tricky race. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 7 – 4 – 10)

RACE 5

7 CAPTAIN WEST is a beautiful looking son of One World, he returns to the races from a rest and gelding, he ran a fair race last time in the Grade 2 Punters Cup behind star colt One Stripe, he looks progressive and should run a cracker if he doesn’t need the run badly. 1 SOLOMONS SEAL fought hard all the way to the line behind The Grey King last time, he was drawn poorly on that occasion and still managed to run a good second, from a good draw here over this trip of 1400m, he will be right there in the finish. 6 THE GREY KING was taken to the front last time when beating Solomons Seal in a driving finish, he was far more relaxed in his race and that helped him in a big way, with a similar performance again, he will go close to winning. 10 LET IT BE SAID is very consistent, if he gets some luck from a poor draw, he could finish in the money again. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 1 – 6 – 10)

RACE 6

12 CANDY TOWN is an absolute speed ball of note, she led her field from start to finish to win super impressively on the 4th of January, she comes out the gates like lightning and will try her best to beat them from the front again in this competitive listed event, there is no doubt she will be right there for a long way. 13 MAI SENSATION dropped in trip last time and quickened up smartly to win going away at the line, she has always been packed with ability and should give a good account of herself again. 8 SUMMER LILY stayed on strongly behind Asiye Phambili in her last start when finishing fourth, she likes to be held up in her races and then storms home late, watch her closely at a decent price. 16 SYMPHONY IN WHITE is much better than her recent performance, on her day she can certainly run with some of the best, include her into the play. (Brandon Bailey: 12 – 13 – 8 – 16)

RACE 7

6 GIMME A PRINCE moved up like a winner in the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate on the 4th of January, he just got tired late and finished a good third behind One Stripe, his sprinting form is excellent and he should enjoy the drop back in trip, with the right run in transit, he will be finishing fast and could be very hard to beat. 4 DYCE has done everything right since being gelded, he was a touch unlucky last time when getting pipped on the post by Golden Sickle, his form is excellent, there is no doubt he has put his hand up as one of the best sprinters in the land, he will go very close here. 3 SURJAY ran a terrific third with a huge weight on his back in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants on the 22nd of December, he is honest and tries hard, he should be right there again. 8 CAFE CULTURE needed his last run and still managed to run a cracking second behind Outlaw King, he will tighten up from that performance and could surprise them all. (Brandon Bailey: 6 – 4 – 3 – 8)

RACE 8

10 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN absolutely flew late for second behind One Stripe in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, he is a good-looking colt with tons of class, he looks well weighted in this Grade 1 and should love the step up in trip to 2000m, he could be very hard to beat. 3 ORIENTAL CHARM is much better than his last run over 1600m, he travelled well and just became one paced late in the race, he will enjoy stepping up in trip from a good draw, he should bounce back here and go very close. 4 FUTURE SWING was very unlucky in his most recent start behind Rascallion, he was held up for running and finished powerfully for fourth, his form is good and he could be some value in this Grade 1 contest. 16 RASCALLION has been in great form over the last few months, what a soldier he has been for the connections, if he can get some luck in running from a poor draw, he should have a place chance. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 3 – 4 – 16)

RACE 9

11 GARRIX had no luck in his last start on the 4th of January behind Sail The Seas, he was a long way back from a poor draw and took off to run a very good 5th only beaten just under four lengths by the winner, even though he is poorly drawn again for this race, he will love the step up in trip to 1800m and should go very close to winning. 9 REGULATION ran on strongly to win a good race on the 18th of December, he has a beautiful action and looks to be getting better with every start, he will be right there in the finish. 8 MAJOR MASTER had to dig deep to win a gutsy race last time, he was heavily supported in the market and managed to put his head down at exactly the right time, he will love the trip and looks progressive, include him. 12 SAIL THE SEAS has always been held in high regard by the stable, he won a good race on the 4th of January, with some luck from a poor draw, he could sneak into the places. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 9 – 8 – 12)

RACE 10          

10 PLEASE BE TRUE must be a massive runner in this Class 4 event, he ran a super race behind his stable companion on the 4th of January when finishing fourth just over three lengths behind the winner, he is a nice type that should mature into a decent sort, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he should have a good each way chance. 6 COMMANDING stayed on strongly in his last start behind Garrix when finishing second, he really enjoyed being out in front and if the same tactics are applied here on Saturday, he could certainly make them all work for victory. 3 GREEN GARNET won his maiden well on the 14th of December, this is a big step up in class for him, but he is progressive and could show the necessary improvement to be competitive again. 8 KING’S QUEST accelerated like a smart horse to win well on the 26th of November, the form lines of that race have worked out well, he could be some value in this tough race. (Brandon Bailey: 10 – 6 – 3 – 8)

RACE 11          

11 THE REAL PRINCE absolutely took off late to run a good fourth in the Grade 2 Cape Merchants last time, even though he has drawn poorly for this A Stakes race, he will be switched off early and should be running on powerfully late, he is very talented and must be included into all bet types. 13 SNOW PILOT had one or two hard luck stories in the Grade 1 event last time when finishing just over five lengths behind the winner, he is a strong galloper and will try his best to lead them from start to finish here. 4 ALL OUT FOR SIX is much better than his recent performance in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas, he is very gutsy on his day and could easily win a race like this if he bounces back to his best form, watch him closely. 1 SUGAR MOUNTAIN should enjoy the drop in trip, there should be no excuses for him from a good draw, include him into the Quartets. (Brandon Bailey: 11 – 13 – 4 – 1)

RACE 12          

14 THE US OF A needed his last run badly and still managed to run on powerfully for second behind Bluff On Bluff, if he doesn’t go flat in his second start after a long break, he should go very close to winning, he is a nice horse and must be watched closely for the future. 9 EMPIRE STATE has run two very good seconds now in succession, he has dropped significantly in trip from 1600m all the way down to 1200m, but he is progressive and will be on the premises. 10 CARRIACOU is extremely consistent, the drop in trip could help him get his head in front, he will be finishing very quickly late. 7 WAR CHARIOT needs a particular ride, he needs to be held up in his races and then get produced very late, if the race works out for him, he should be in the money at a good price. (Brandon Bailey: 14 – 9 – 10 – 7)

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.

Graeme Hawkins

Two of the more prestigious and sought after Grade 1 races for Fillies & Mares in South Africa are the Paddock Stakes over 1800m and the Majorca Stakes over 1600m, both run annually at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in January. Victory in either of these Weight-For-Age races adds significant appeal to any broodmare’s pedigree but winning both is something quite special. Double Grand Slam bagged the Cartier Paddock Stakes three weeks ago and is a firm favourite to add the Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes to her impressive record when she takes on six rivals in the 2025 renewal on Saturday.

Victory for Double Grand Slam is however no foregone conclusion as the step back in trip suits her archrival Rascova and over 1600m there has never been too much to choose between the pair. Rascova was second in the Majorca Stakes last year behind Princess Calla with Double Grand Slam a nose behind in third spot. Then in the WSB Fillies Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville in May, Rascova came out on top beating Double Grand Slam by half-a-length. The roles were then reversed in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes in July when they finished third and fourth behind Humdinger and more recently in the Summer Bowl when Double Grand Slam comfortably accounted for an off-colour Rascova.

There is a strong argument to be made that Double Grand Slam has made further improvement as a 4yo but the pace, or possible lack of it, in this year’s Majorca Stakes could have a meaningful impact on the outcome. Now throw into the mix the very talented 3yo Fatal Flaw, runaway winner of the WSB Fillies Guineas in early December, and one has all the ingredients for an intriguing contest. Fatal Flaw is arguably the second-best sophomore filly in the land, behind Quid Pro Quo, and the daughter of New Predator loves to dictate from the front.

Given that Rascova also likes to go forward, it will be an interesting race from a tactical perspective as to who will spearhead the field turning for home. As Piere Strydom cannot make the weight, Craig Zackey will be aboard Fatal Flaw for the very first time but, having won the WSB KZN Fillies Guineas on Rascova when leading from start to finish and holding out Double Grand Slam, Zackey knows how plucky Rascova can be over 1600m when allowed to dictate terms. So, does Zackey go forward on Fatal Flaw or take a position behind Rascova?

Scarlet Macaw was runner-up behind Fatal Flaw in the WSB Fillies Guineas and there is nothing to suggest that Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly can turn the tables here. Celtic Rumours is very useful at best but Sean Tarry’s 5yo daughter of Vercingetorix would be a surprise winner. Kinda Wonderful appears to have a mountain to climb but Roccapina, who goes beyond 1200m for the first time, is an interesting runner. She has very useful sprint form and being by One World out of a mare by Fort Wood, she could prove even more effective over this trip – only the race will tell!

Double Grand Slam deserves her place at the top of the betting boards, and shapes up as the likely winner on current form, but there are a few “if’s and but’s” and it could turn out to be a very competitive and hard fought affair.