The Cape Guineas is one of the few big races to have eluded Mike Bass during his near 40-year training career and he has an open mind about whether hot favourite Silver Mountain can put the record straight in the Grand Parade-sponsored classic on Saturday.

He said: “I don’t really know how good she is, and I’m not sure that the press aren’t getting a little bit ahead of themselves.  I can only see what happens on the racecourse which is where it counts.

“At home she just goes along nicely like any other horse and in any case you can’t really tell how good they are at home unless you put them with something really talented and try them.”

Silver Mountain gave the 70-year-old training legend his fourth Cape Fillies Guineas win 11 days ago but he wasn’t really expecting her to win by five lengths. “I was hoping for something like that but I wasn’t sure. She was drawn badly, I thought she might get a bit far back and only get out late.

“I remember Sun Classique running from a 13 draw in 2006, coming from last and only just winning – and she was pretty good. But things went well for Silver Mountain and she won quite comfortably.”

So, how does he expect her to fare on Saturday?  “Whether she is up to beating the colts is debatable. It’s a bit of an ask,” he replied.” I think we can manage the averagely good ones but there are some who haven’t really been exposed and there are also some pretty smart proven colts, big strong horses.

“There are the obvious ones like Mike Azzie’s colt Rabada (who was scratched yesterday) and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s Brazuca while that horse of Gavin van Zyl’s (Budapest) ran a pretty smart race in the Ready To Run, getting away from them like that – although I don’t know if he will be able to do that again. Hopefully it will be a different story on Saturday.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Mike Bass

Greyville has an interesting eight race meeting on Wednesday’s public holiday, although plenty of homework will be required by punters in order to return a profit.

The first three races are on poly and the last five on turf, weather permitting.

Run Rhino Run (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the first race over 1600m, Open Your Heart went close over 1400m last time when taken to the front by Anton Marcus and the latter now keeps the ride over a trip the filly should appreciate on pedigree. Liquorice Moon ran a fair race when racing wide from a high draw over 1400m last time and, if finding cover this time, could earn. Belarus, L’Attitude and Mad Pushpa make most appeal of the rest.

In the second over 1600m, Live On The Moon caught the eye running on over this course and distance last time and will have come on from the run. It was his first outing for over a year but many of the Nel yard’s horses were off the course in such a manner, not for soundness reasons or for a lack of fitness, but rather because Sabine Plattner was without a licensed trainer for that period. Jullidar steps back to the distance of one of his best runs and should be thereabouts. Stokvel has run two good races over 1400m when not having much luck and is interesting over this trip.

In the third over 1000m Ostentation looks the one to beat from a good draw having run two fine races from tougher draws over course and distance recently and having excuses in both. Roy’s Gul Gul Ha ran a fine race first time out the maidens and should be a threat. Rasta’s Jet could place at likely nice odds.

In the fourth over 1400m on the turf, Redcarpet Captain is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and faces a generally uninspiring field. Cutting Edge has some class and will also enjoy this trip. Fully Charged has a wide draw to overcome but will love the return to the turf and should be running on strongly.

Redcarpet Captain (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fifth over 2400m on the turf, Worship Dancer has always been an eyecatching sort and looks likely on racing style and pedigree to relish this trip, so he could be the one to side with despite a three point raise for his last win. Kentucky Guest has come down to an attractive merit rating and was staying on over 2000m last time. Pioneer Spirit as always struck as a horse who would enjoy  this trip and being by Go Deputy should be coming into his own. Great Rumpus is in fine form and has proven staying power. Supercede and Seeking The Dream can’t be ignored.

In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1600m on turf, Marcus has abandoned Willoughton in favour of the promising Run Rhino Run, who has landed a good draw over a suitable trip and is best in at the weights. He can overcome a five month layoff as he has plenty of class.

In the seventh over 1600m on the turf, Delpech remains faithful to Killer Woman, who is well drawn and looks likely to relish this course and distance. Roy’s Academy won her maiden easily and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper so should be thereabouts over a step up in trip that should suit. Thaler Point is interesting back over the trip of her best run this year. Beautiful Jet should be running on well in her second start after a long break. Syringa could be a big threat if settling in the running.

In the last over 1600m on the turf, Off Ramp should appreciate the course and distance as she flashed up late over 1400m last time, having been a touch disappointing before that in two poly runs, so she probably prefers this surface. Money Penny has some good form and being by Silvano should enjoy the step up in trip, although her Fort Wood dam was speedy. Lobelia has drawn in pole which will suit her handy style but on pedigree she is not certain to enjoy this step up in trip.

By David Thiselton

Rabada has been withdrawn from Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas. Trainer Michael Azzie said yesterday: “Rabada did very well after his second in the CTS Ready To Run Cup and he was going along nicely but I wasn’t happy with his final gallop last Thursday.

“We would be taking on Silver Mountain who I think is something special and I don’t want to go down to Cape Town if I am not happy with the horse.”

Rabada was the highest-rated horse in the race – jointly with Silver Mountain who receives 2.5kg –  and the Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein at the end of October was his first outing since landing the Premiers Champions Stakes at Greyville three months earlier.

Azzie said: “He was in need of the run when he ran second (to Champagne Haze) that day. Things hadn’t gone his way in the build-up. They pulled up some of the tracks and he missed crucial work when I needed to give him a bit of stamina work and the track was not available. As a result he went into the race underdone.”

The scratching of Rabada has seen World Sports Betting adjust Silver Mountain into 11-10 for Saturday’s Cape Guineas, followed by Noah From Goa (3-1), Brazuca (6-1), Budapest (10-1), Hard Day’s Night (12-1), Victorious Jay (12-1), Eighth Wonder (14-1) and Nassa (16-1), with 20-1 on offer bar these.

By Michael Clower

Final field and draws for the Grand Parade Cape Guineas (Grade 1) over 1 600m at Kenilworth on Saturday:

From 1 June 2016 until the end of 2022 Phumelela has licensed ARC to supply and distribute audio-visual coverage, including data, of all South African race meetings to all Licensed Betting Offices (“LBOs”) in the UK and Ireland. The agreement will also see South African Racing continue to be distributed to online betting operators via the At The Races streaming platform Sports Media Stream.

South African Racing has become an integral part of the LBO offering to customers with some 440 race meetings per annum comprising coverage from eight racecourses: Durbanville (turf), Fairview (turf and polytrack), Flamingo Park (sand), Kenilworth (turf), Turffontein (turf), Vaal (turf), Greyville (turf and polytrack) and Scottsville (turf).

South African racing is a familiar and popular betting product with there being at least one meeting from South Africa every day of the year, except Christmas day. Due to South Africa being one to two hours ahead of the UK its racing commences at lunchtime, ahead of afternoon racing in the UK, thereby extending betting opportunities for customers.

Phumelela Chief Executive, Rian Du Plessis said: “We are delighted to have struck a deal with ARC which ensures South African racing can continue to have a UK and Irish audience and grow its popularity. Our racing complements ARC’s racing very well and the joint offering should be very well received by UK and Irish betting operators.”

ARC Chief Executive, Martin Cruddace said: “ARC is thrilled to be extending our relationship with Phumelela in order to help further promote South African racing to a British and Irish audience. This is mutually beneficial for all involved and we are pleased to be providing a transparent service for LBOs.”
– TABNews

Dennis Drier was disappointed with Punta Arenas run in the Gr 2 Premier Trophy on Saturday but his CTS Million Dollar contender Seventh Plain is doing well and will have his final preparation run in the Listed Sophomore Sprint over 1200m at Kenilworth on January 2.

Punta Arenas failed to quicken from off the pace on Saturday and finished a disappointing 3,4 length fifth in the 1800m event. However, he remains on track for the J&B Met via the Gr 2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m on January 9. A look back at his record suggests there should not be too much to be concerned about because two seasons ago, when ultimately running a fine 1,95 length third in the Met, his Cape Summer Of Champions Season form read very similarly to what it does so far this season.

In that season he started with a four length seventh in the Green Point Stakes, as opposed to a 5,3 length seventh is this season’s Green Point, and he then went on to finish a 4,3 length eighth in the Premier Trophy, as opposed to his 3,4 length fifth this season. He then went on to finish a much improved 1,75 length third in the Peninsula before his excellent Met run. The seven-year-old gelding blossomed in the Champions Season and progeny of Silvano do tend to get better with age, so his relatively advanced years are of little concern.

Drier admitted Seventh Plain had ultimately needed his run in the R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes on November 21, his seasonal reappearance. He is clearly better than that effort in which he only just managed to hang on for fourth, 5,75 lengths behind the winner Budapest, for after jumping from a wide draw his usual effortless cruising speed coupled with his tremendous turn of foot were not at their sharpest. However, under Drier’s expert guidance he should be spot on for his chief target, the Million Dollar, over 1400m on January 23.

Drier’s best result so far this Cape Summer Of Champions Season was winning the Gr 2 Cape Merchants with a horse he has always rated, the four-year-old Trippi gelding Triptique, and this horse will now go for the Gr 2 weight for age (with Gr 1 and Gr 2 penalties) Khaya Stables Diadem Stakes over the same course and distance on December 27. The Merchants was a handicap in which the imposing horse only carried 52kg, although he was 1,5kg under sufferance, and he will have it much tougher here, especially as he will carry a Gr 2 penalty. The handicappers raised him from 93 to 101. Triptique might possibly be aimed at the prestigious Gr 1 L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate, as Drier has always believed he would go further, but a decision will only  be made after the Diadem.

Unfortunate news from the yard is that Generalissimo, who was one of the chief sprinters in the stable, will be out for the season.

By David Thiselton