Silver Mountain looks a worthy favourite to beat her male opponents and complete a famous Guineas double in the Grand Parade version at Kenilworth tomorrow.

Aldo Domeyer’s mount has done pretty well everything right so far, she has a good draw this time  and the advantage of her 2.5kg allowance – worth two and a half lengths – should not be underestimated.

For Mike Bass it’s a last throw of the dice at the only big Cape Town race he has never won. “Silver Mountain has definitely got more to do this weekend,” he says. “I would like to think she is good enough but obviously I’m guessing. You can’t tell from their work at home. Only when they race do they show you how good they actually are.”

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

She is 11-10 (with Betting World) and 33-10 second  favourite is the Dingaans winner Noah From Goa who has won four out of five and represents Mike de Kock, bidding for his fourth Cape Guineas and his first for 12 years. Is the colt good enough to beat Silver Mountain?

“That’s a difficult question but it’s what we are coming to find out,” says De Kock’s son and assistant Matthew. “She will be hard to beat but I don’t think she will be as comfortable as she has been against the fillies and the form of this year’s crop could be a little bit suspect.”

Brazuca (6-1) is the highest-rated male – although three and a half lengths behind the filly at the weights – and has won both his starts since going close in the Golden Horseshoe. Johan Janse van Vuuren sent him to Brett Crawford (successful with Elusive Gold two years ago) for the last part of his preparation.

The Selangor winner has gone on to take this race five times in the last ten and Joey Ramsden has won two of the last four Guineas, both pointers to 14-1 shot Hard Day’s Night. Agonisingly for Donavan Mansour, the draw-defying big race ace Anton Marcus is waiting in the wings now that Rabada has gone down with pharyngitis. A decision will be made today.

“I gave the colt a little break after the Selangor and freshened him up. He has done very well since,” Ramsden reports. “Silver Mountain looks exceptional and will be hard to beat but Budapest also impressed me. He put up some performance in the Ready To Run and he could be a major opponent.”

A line through Anglet puts Budapest (14-1) only a length and a half behind the favourite, albeit there are a good few ifs and buts involved. “Silver Mountain has the draw and the class,” says Gavin van Zyl. “But my horse has done well since his win and he has the speed to overcome his 14 draw.”

However the first seven in the Selangor were covered by little more than the width of a horse blanket. Victorius Jay (16-1) finished closest but the ones that really caught the eye were Nassa and Illuminator who both finished like a train. They are 16-1 chances and Andrew Fortune has already said that his mount would have finished closer had he had more experience.

Nassa would appear to be stymied by his dreadful draw and the gremlins have similarly struck 25-1 chance Eighth Wonder who was fancied and unlucky that day. Purple Mountains and Rodney were also close up in the Selangor. They could again finish on the heels of the placed horses but they don’t look like Guineas winners.

The 40-1 about Liege is almost an insult for a horse from the stable of the champion trainer and ridden by a former champion jockey but, even if you ignore his last run, his form does not look good enough.

By Michael Clower

The double header in KZN this weekend with eight races on the poly tonight and ten races at Scottsville on Sunday provides some good opportunities for punters.

The first tonight is a Maiden over 1400m. Brazzaville returns from a layoff but looks a fair sort with plenty of scope and from pole position over a trip too sharp he could use his long stride effectively. Shreya’s Star ran on well over course and distance last time out and the form has worked out well so from a good draw he should go close.  Destined For Dawn stayed on over 1200m in his last poly start in August and with Anton Marcus up has a chance despite a wide draw. Lancat led over 1200m last time and stayed on quite well and should be involved over a step up in trip she should appreciate. Caprivi has some ability but has made breathing noises before. Neither of the first-timers make particular appeal.

Buster Brown (Nkosi Hlophe)

The second is a fillies and mares maiden over 1400m. Overly Impressed is an imposing sort and ran on in eyecatching fashion on debut when green over 1600m and from a good draw is the one to beat here. Eleven returned coughing last time with first-time blinkers but still managed to stay on well after being left with too much to do when the front runners escaped. She will have a chance from pole position here having gone close in her previous start over the same course and distance. Glimmer Of Silver has some early toe and being by Silvano out of a National Assembly mare who won over 1400m she is interesting here as a possible pacemaker. Young Lass is by Kahal and is full-sister to a three-time winner from 1000-1450m Nordic Lass and a half-sister to the Listed-winning sprinter Mr Mickey Mouse. Spiritos is by Mogok out of a Comic Blush mare and is a half-sister to a three-time winner.

The third is a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m. Buster Brown has thrived since hold up tactics have been used as he has an exceptional turn of foot. He is drawn widely again but should be finishing strongly and is 1kg better off with Ready For Takeoff for a 0,75 length beating if apprentice claims are ignored and 5kg better off if they are counted. Millrace’s only win was over this course and distance and on recent evidence he will relish going over this trip for the first time since. The blinkers remain on. Secret Warning was touched off late over 1600m on the turf last time and should enjoy this trip on her poly debut. Winter Auralius looks to be a progressive sort and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper for his running on maiden win over course and distance. Ready For Take Off is drawn in pole and as a game sort has a chance of doing the double despite a six point raise. Argyle Bay is down to a competitive merit rating and this is a suitable trip. Moi Power stayed on quite well over 1200m last time and might be ready to try this step up in trip.

The fourth is a MR 94 Handicap over1400m and the classy Exit Here could make it five in a row over a suitable distance in a likely preparation race for the CTS Million Dollar. The consistent Just Ask Me was raised three points for his last win and the second and third horses have both won since. Kiss Me Hardy, Waltzed Home and Buffalo Bill make most appeal of the rest.

The fifth is a MR 69 Handicap over 1400m and this looks a good opportunity for Big Si, who was a touch unlucky over 1600m last time when staying on strongly. He will enjoy this trip and has Delpech up from pole position. Keep Your Light On should have come on from his last start and should be finishing strongly over a suitable trip. Vitruvian Man returns to the poly, which he loves, off just a two point higher mark than his last win here over 1600m. In The Trenches returns to the course and distance of his only win. Prof Tiger disappointed last time when found to have made a respiratory noise but if bouncing back has a chance.

Exit Here (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a Graduation Plate over 2000m for fillies and mares. Work Ethic is officially best in at the weights after a facile maiden win over this trip in her first poly start and could follow up. One Way Ticket is officially 2,5kg under sufferance with Work Ethic but has age and experience on her side and went close over course and distance in her penultimate start when fading late.  Anthony Delpech has stuck with Little Chapel who won a handicap over course and distance last time out but is now officially 6kg under sufferance with Work Ethic.  Lemon Tea has some fair form but looks held by One Way Ticket on their last meeting over course and distance. Barcelona Babe is officially way under sufferance but ran a fair race last time over 1900m against a good sort.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m. Pure Valor is an improving sort who looks likely to rise above his current merit rating campaigning over this sort of trip. Rio De La Plata also looks better than his merit rating suggests and can fight out the finish. Grey’s A Rockin is better than his last run and will enjoy the step back to this trip. Taegan’s Jet is course and distance suited and drawn well. Night Lock always gives of his best.

The eighth is a weak Maiden over 2000m and Smart World looks hard to beat as he caught the eye staying on strongly over 1400m on the turf last time and being by Ideal World should relish the step up in trip.

At Scottsville on Sunday Barbosa should win the second and Miss Argentina looks the one to side with in the fifth, the highest rated handicap on the day.

By David Thiselton

The Pick 6 for Kenilworth’s big Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas meeting will include a R400,000 carryover and the pool is expected to reach R2,1 million, which will be a nice carrot for punters.

Silver Mountain (Liesl King)

The first leg is a Maiden over 1200m. Recently there does not appear to have been any draw bias down the straight at Kenilworth and the side they end up taking over towards appears to have more to do with the pace of the race than anything else. Anton Marcus has chosen Arctic Blast above Overshadow. The former showed good natural pace last time and stayed on well to record his third runner up spot in four outings. He could be a banker, although another one to possibly include could be Impressed, who was a well beaten third on debut but caught the eye as one with plenty of scope for improvement.

The second leg is the Non-Black Type Racing Association Need For Speed Sprint over 1000m, a conditions race in which Western Storm and Tar Heel are officially best and second best in respectively. However, they were both well beaten by Captain Chaos when they last met over this course and distance. That was back in June, but since then Captain Chaos has only been tried over further, possibly in preparation for the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, in which he finished a cracking third. He looks likely to enjoy the step back to this trip and is the one to beat. Forward Drive is highly regarded and won well over course and distance last time out so is another who must be included. Juan Two Three has put in some impressive performances in Port Elizabeth and is another to include, especially considering he is now being trained by the masterful Dennis Drier. Tar Heel could possibly be a consideration and of the others the filly Just Felicity is worth considering.

The third leg is the Listed Jet Master Stakes and Justin Snaith holds the trump cards. Kingvoldt makes most appeal as he has always been talented and has now had the gelding which he badly needed. However, Snaith’s stable jockey Bernard Fayd’Herbe has opted for Heartland, another talented type, who was slow maturing and should now be coming into his own. The capable Light The Lights is best in at the weights and is another one who is sure to have benefitted from gelding as he became a difficult customer in the latter half of last season and continually disappointed. He should be cherry ripe after two good recent sprints. Those three make most appeal and beyond them the entire field has to be considered.

Inara (Liesl King)

Next up is the big one and Silver Mountain looks a special horse who is going to be hard to beat. The Mike Bass yard continually delivered the meeting banker in the days of the great Pocket Power and the filly will be prepared to the tee so is worth taking a chance with as a sole Pick 6 inclusion.

The next leg is the Gr 3 Cape Summer Stayers Handicap over 2500m and a small field of eight faces the starter. The pace of Kenilworth staying races is notoriously difficult to predict due to the varying wind conditions and jockeys reluctance to lead into the prevailing headwind. This usually plays havoc with the form so it might be worth including the whole field in this race.

The last leg is a high class Conditions Plate over 1400m. The brilliant Same Jurisdiction and the twice Gr 1-winner Inara, who is unbeaten in two starts over this trip this season, are the stand out must-includes. Alexis is full of class and speed, making this trip her probable optimum, and she is also best in at the weights so is worthy of inclusion. Fear Not is a highly progressive sort who is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and she must be considered despite having a tough task at the weights on official merit ratings. Eventual Angel is also full of class and the best has likely not been seen of her yet, so she can’t be ignored. The courageous Siren’s Call has proven form against the best so must be considered as the Champion Sean Tarry yard will have her ready for her seasonal reappearance.

By David Thiselton

The Vaal has an interesting nine race card today as some useful sorts will be seen in action.

Gavin Lerena

In the first over 1200m, Red Heart is an imposing filly by Trippi and is a full-sister to the useful Listed winner Sunset Tripp, who has won up to 1400m. With a better start than last time she could use her natural sped to overcome her high draw. Spring Dance was backed on debut in a strong maiden and had no luck throughout. Bally Swiss showed pace on debut, when finishing second, but over raced a bit in the opening stages and had no answer to the finishing run of the promising Jungle Mist. The form has worked out well. Matresse is by Silvano out of a four-time winning sprinter by Model Man. Lady Yahoo is by Jay Peg out of a one-time winner over 1200m who dam is a half-sister to the champion filly Arabian Lass.

The second is a maiden over 1600m and Flying Silver looks the one to beat having finished strongly over 1400 second time out and now drawn well. Sao Paulo is by Trippi and is a full-brother to Listed KZN Guineas Trial runner up Trip To Rio, so could improve over this trip. Gains Tax is drawn in pole and should appreciate the step up in trip and Peg O’ My Heart and Topography could also earn.

The third is a maiden over 1600m. O’Brien The Lion has done well from the front in his last two starts over 1400m and has been tried over as far 2400m, so should be suited to this trip and his formlines are relatively strong. Hermoso Mundo is by the promising sire Ideal World out of the champion mare Escoleta Fitz and should not only improve on his decent debut over 1400m but will relish the step up in trip. Koncealed was taken out at the 150m mark last time over this trip at Turffontein when staying on strongly so would have got closer and his overall form has worked out well. Kanonkop was caught late over 1400m on debut and on pedigree should enjoy the trip although the concerns are another high draw and a breathing noise made on debut. Beunos Aires was 2,35 lengths behind Kanonkop last time and could improve. Like A Master was not much further back and should enjoy the step up in trip. A P Emblem made a fair debut and could improve.

The fourth is a Graduation Plate over 1200m. Jolie Roger is third best in at the weights and could be the one to beat from a fair draw coming back down to this trip of his impressive maiden win. Buckland has good early pace and is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance but has a tough draw. African Ruler beat Buckland over 1400m and has good form over shorter. Joe Malone is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and could be a factor despite having his second run after a suspension for epistaxis. Machismo has some eyecatching form and could also be thereabouts.

The fifth is a MR 92 Handicap over 1400m and Bulleting Home over raced last time over 1600m, yet still won easily. He looks to have come into his own and can handle an eight point raise over a step down in trip he should appreciate. Brad’s Surge could be a threat having landed a good draw for a change. Prince Jazeem returns from a layoff but is drawn n pole over an ideal trip and the Tarry yard always have them fit enough. Move Like Jagger is course and distance suited and consistent. Captain Aldo is a consistent sort but has to handle a merit rating six points higher than he’s ever run off after his recent win. Rock Me Var is talented but might be stretched by this trip. Be Mine Tonight is the only female involved and can’t be written off over this suitable trip.

African Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)

The sixth is a MR75 Handicap over 1400m. Var Bay is in good form and went close over 1450m at Turffontein last time so looks ready to win again. There is not much between Var Bay and Wottahottie on form. Both these first two selections have tough draws which is a concern. Son Of Approval is 1,5kg under sufferance but appears best at this trip and has a good 1,5kg claimer up, so could provide good place value from a plum draw. Mann’s Inn, who also has an unfavourable high draw, narrowly beat Wottahottie last time over course and distance but is 0,5kg worse off. Angelus Belle could be a factor from a fair draw if reproducing his run in September over course and distance.

The seventh is a MR 74 handicap over 1400m where Gavin Lerena is booked to ride My Treasure who has a touch of class and should have benefitted from his last run. Rock On Rebel is well drawn and finished fast last time over course and distance. Bah, who has always been held in good regard, is running off an attractive merit rating and a suitable trip so could get closer than last time when hampered late. Nkomo loves this course and distance and will produce a strong finish, so could be thereabouts if not starting too slowly. Russian Steward goes well for jockey Munger and stayed on well over course and distance last time.

The eighth is a MR 72 Handicap over 1000m and Manx Park is in and out but from a good draw and a 4kg claimer up is the one to beat if he has a going day. Cannes could make a bold bid from the front from pole position. Clean Cut and Dream Leader should be involved if overcoming high draws and Atso Cool has to be included after an easy maiden win over course and distance.

The last is a fillies and mares MR 68 Handicap over 1000m and Shiver N’ Shake looks to be the one to side with from a good draw with Lerena up. Vanda could be a contender from a good draw over a suitable trip. Cute Lady could feature if bouncing back off a much reduced merit rating. It’sgottobeme is down to a winning mark and has a good draw over a suitable trip. Stairway to Heaven improved without blinkers last time and if repeating could go close again. Lena Laptev and Ride Of Honour have to be considered too.

By David Thiselton

Top echelon KZN jockey Sean Cormack has been booked off riding, pending further medical tests and a second medical opinion.

Cormack, who has represented South Africa in his chosen profession, is chief stable jockey to the KZN Champion trainer Dennis Drier with whom he has formed a formidable partnership over the last few seasons.

Drier’s second choice stable jockey Sean Veale will be replacing Cormack for many of the yard’s forthcoming Cape and KZN engagements.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Sean Cormack (Liesl King)