The Cape Guineas looks the most open for years after the Selangor threw up more hard luck stories than a soup kitchen.

This mile test is traditionally the key to the Grand Parade-sponsored classic – it has produced five winners and four seconds in the last ten years – but last Saturday the first seven were covered by little more than a length.

Hard Day’s Night, a 6-1 chance here, would be entitled to start favourite. Markus Jooste’s Monarch-bred son of Warm White Night won on merit, doing it the hard way out in front after overcoming a bad draw, to give Joey Ramsden his third Selangor in four years.

Anton Marcus said: “He had every opportunity to spit the dummy – and the second horse went past him – but instead he dug down deep. He’s got heart and he is not short of ability either.”

Ramsden, who will also train Friday’s R1.5 million Ready To Run sale-topper for Jooste, was just as impressed and added: “I eased him up before his last run and he wasn’t ready for it but today I fancied him to kill.”

Victorious Jay went under by less than a neck to boost his classic credentials (Vaughan Marshall: “He ran very well. I think we’ll go for the Guineas”) while the less experienced Nassa and Illuminator both finished like trains.

Andrew Fortune, confirming that the latter would have been even closer had he had more experience, said: “I would love to ride him in the Guineas and I have already asked for the mount.”

Eighth Wonder faded to finish where his name suggested. However Greg Ennion said: “He got the trip but he was taken out by the winner and the jock said he was never travelling after that.”

Anthony Delpech’s initial reaction was to blame the winter course for the eclipse of Muwaary (tenth) but the 12-10 favourite was found to be coughing, in respiratory distress and suffering from a nasal discharge.

Budapest (Liesl King)

Budapest looks like joining the party on December 19 after making every metre under Delpech in the Lanzerac Ready To Run. The 33-1 shock really stretched in the final furlong to score by more than four lengths.

Gavin van Zyl insisted that no decision will be made until after discussions with son Gareth, who apparently does most of the work, and owner Brian Burnard.  But the Ballito businessman, who collected a whopping R1.25 million for his R160 000 outlay, is already booking his pre-Christmas flights.

Malan du Toit is also on standby. The famed horse whisperer went to Durban to try to get the gelding over his pens’ anxieties and was again on hand on Saturday when the horse was so troublesome that his stalls cert was cancelled.

Seventh Plain, who made light of his 16 draw, weakened into fourth in the closing stages in a manner that cast doubts about his stamina.

Marcus said: “He overcame the draw economically, he had every chance and I have no excuses. It was just a disappointing run.”

Anglet bounced back into the Fillies Guineas picture by running on into second after turning for home plum last. “They take her off the bridle in a fast run race. She wants at least a mile,” summed up Paddy Kruyer.
– Michael Clower
– Pictures (Liesl King): Hard Day’s Night (Anton Marcus up) and Budapest (Anthony Delpech)

The Brett Crawford-trained five-year-old Captain Al gelding Captain America took the bull by the horns in yesterday’s Gr 2 R400,000 Lanzerac Alta Mater Green Point Stakes, a weight for age event over 1600m, and managed to stay in front all the way under a superbly judged ride by Corne Orffer.
The Equus Horse Of The Year from the Justin Snaith yard, Futura jumped from a plum draw and was well poised on the rail when they turned for home, but the opposite was the case for the favourite Act Of War, who was left with too much to do after being dropped out from a wide draw.
Futura was a bit flat-footed at the top of the straight but the rank outsider Paterfamilias had quickened superbly and was chasing Captain America who stole a March at the top of the straight.
Futura then got going and closed rapidly but was 0,5 lengths shy at the line while Paterfamilias at odds of 50/1 was a further 0,5 lengths back in third. Act Of War ran on well but it was too little too late and he finished fourth ahead of Night Trip.

Captain America (Liesl King)

Captain America gave notice of his L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate credentials and will be hoping for the same conditions as there was a little bit of cut in the ground. However, Futura will be a hard horse to beat there as he will come on from this run and Act Of War will be a different proposition from a good draw on the more galloping New Course.
The big budget stables are largely located in the Cape and they had the bulk of the runners in the Non-Black Type R2,5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes over 1400m, but they were annihilated by the KZN raider Budapest from the yard of Gavin van Zyl. Budapest, whose thoroughly deserving owner is the enthusiastic Brian “Buffalo Bill” Burnard, was given a superbly professional ride by Anthony Delpech. The connections had decided to press the favourite, the champion colt Seventh Plain, and were determined to not allow him to get over easily into the lead from his wide draw. The plan worked as the latter had to be used up significantly to get his head in front. Delpech then “squeezed” the Lithuanian colt at the top of the straight and the response was instantaneous. He streaked clear, leaving Seventh Plain gasping for air, and in the end won by 4.25 lengths despite starting odds of 33/1. The Paddy Kruyer-trained Biarritz filly Anglet ran on strongly down the inside rail for second and the second favourite from the Ronnie Sheehan yard, Captain Chaos, was third ahead of the Dennis Drier-trained favourite Seventh Plain, who would have benefitted from the run and should be spot on for the CTS Million Dollar in January. The Justin Snaith-trained Nordic Wind finished fifth.The first three past the post all had nice draws of 5, 2 and 6. Budapest, winning for the second time in his fifth career start, became an instant millionaire, earning a cheque of R1,25 million. He was bred by Witzenberg Stud.
Anton Marcus had earlier ridden a superb race to win the Gr 2 R400,000 Selangor Cup over 1600m on the Joey Ramden-trained Warm White Night colt Hard Day’s Night. He plotted a clever course from a wide draw down the back straight which allowed him to take the lead at the turn without having exerted too much energy.
In the straight the bay bravely kept himself in front despite a blanket of closing horses on his outside. He got to the line 0,2 lengths clear of the flying Vaughan Marshall-trained Victorious Jay with the Crawford-trained Nassa a close up third and the next two Illuminator and Purple Mountain were 0,7 and 1,1 lengths behind the winner in the thrilling finish.
Hard Day’s Night, bred by Monarch Bloodstock, is likely to be a strong contender for the Gr 1 Investec Cape Derby.
The Listed R150,000 Lanzerac le General Kenilworth Cup over 3200m was marked by a slow pace and in the end those coming from behind were proved to have misjudged it as it was soon clear they were going to have no chance of catching the pair who had stolen a march, the six-year-old Silvano gelding Gothic and Parachute Man. In a thrilling finish Aldo Domeyer, who had earlier looped them when deciding the pace was too slow, managed to get Gothic’s nose down on the line. The 33/10 favorite Ovidio was running on but it was too late and had to settle for third. This was only the third career win for the perennial bridesmaid Gothic, who finished runner up to Wylie Hall in the Gr 1 SA Derby as a three-year-old, and his first for over two years.
– David Thiselton
– Picture (Liesl King): Captain America is driven out by Corne Offer to land the 2015 Green Point Stakes

The second of the Greyville meetings this weekend, to be run on Sunday, has eight races with an even split between polytrack and turf and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

In the first race, a Maiden over 1200m on the poly, Master Sam has a strong formline behind some of the best horses in the province and has improved in his training since being gelded, so will be hard to beat despite returning from a four month break as he is fit enough. Hot Chilli found no extra late when handy throughout over 1400m on the turf last time out and is interesting with first-time blinkers over this trip from a plum draw under Delpech. Lancat ran on well over 1000m last time in a stronger overall field than this after losing a length at the start and should appreciate the step up in trip. First-timer Global Flyer is a New Zealand-bred by Stravinsky. Black Samurai and Tropical’s Son are by King’s Chapel and Tropical Empire respectively.

Beloved Country (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the second over 1200m, Anton Marcus rides Joyful Mystery, who will likely enjoy the 1200m because this should enable her to settle in behind, which is how it panned out on her debut when running on strongly from behind, whereas in her second start over1400m at Scottsville she fell in a hole from a handy position. Spinning Win showed some zip on debut after a tardy start and should appreciate the step up in trip. Turquoise Water is an Australian-bred first-timer by Authorized and is owned by Drakenstein Stud. Eternal Blossoms is by Ideal World and a full-sister to two-time winner Panchatanta. Paixe Emblem could earn again here.

In the third, a fillies and mares maiden over 1600m, Seventh Moment is the obvious choice having run well in three sprints at Scottsville but on pedigree there is a stamina question mark. Milla’s Smile, a full-sister to a Listed winning miler, is therefore the marginal choice as she ran on well over 1400m at Scottsville in late September in a stronger field than this when needing the run and will appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree. Grand Jury could also go close as the blinkers should help her get into the race earlier as she ran on strongly too late last time for second in an admittedly weak field.

In the fourth, a maiden for fillies over 2000m, Work Ethic should relish the course and distance, having been baulked before flying late for a close third over 1700m at the Vaal last time out. She is ultra-consistent and has a good draw. Lady Linda ran a close second over course and distance last time and could still be improving. However, Work Ethic’s form looks a touch stronger. Racey-J is improving and could earn.

The next four races will all be on turf, weather permitting.

In the fifth, a Conditions Plate over 1000m for fillies and mares, Beloved Country is very well treated at the weights and this classy sort looks hard to oppose from pole position under Anton Marcus. Regardstobroadway is an up and coming sort with a big reputation and the turf might be what she is looking for after a decent effort behind a good sort on the poly over this trip last time. Miss Argentina makes most appeal of the rest.

Kentucky Guest (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, Top Form has plenty of natural pace so will have an advantage from pole position over a suitable trip. Theseus has some class and from a good draw should go close as he has run well fresh before. Spanish Captain showed promise when winning on debut and should have come on from the run so will be a big danger as he could still be anything. Monte Christo has shown signs of class in both outings but his wide draw makes it tough. Hunting Owl is joint best in at the weights with Monte Christo, but will have to bounce back from a poor effort last time.

In the seventh, is a MR 81 Handicap over 2400m, and Star Point faces Forest on the same weight terms as when beating him with a bit in hand over this trip at Scottsville. He looks a useful stayer in the making. Forest, as a three-year-old by Silvano, is likely to be improving all the time and will not make it easy for the first choice from a plum draw. Qatar Springs has some class over this trip. Kentucky Guest has dropped to a six point lower mark than his last win and is interesting in his first attempt at this trip. Innate Quality bounced back to form with an easy win over this trip at Scottsville last time but is unreliable and two points higher than his highest winning mark.

The last is a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m and Snowman is an interesting runner here as one who is held in high regard and who has certainly shown signs of class before over this trip. His draw is a concern and he is only the marginal choice over the well drawn Fully Charged who ran on well over 1400m last time and should be cherry ripe in his third run after a layoff. Worship Dancer is an eyecatching sort who should be in the shake up off just a two point higher mark than his last win. Saint Marco is unbeaten in two and should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but the wide draw is a concern in his first run around the turn. Cage Fighter and Nitro Nori have good draws and make most appeal of the rest.

By David Thiselton

Anton Marcus’s famed brilliance at the pens will face one of its biggest tests at Kenilworth tomorrow when the four-time champion has to overcome nightmare draws on fancied horses in all three big races.

He and Joey Ramsden are bidding for their third Lanzerac Green Point in five seasons and the race-fit Act Of War is expected to head the market.  Favourites have won four of the last five runnings and this one should be hard to beat despite his outside draw and some talented opposition.

Futura was only third when he reappeared for Brett Crawford 12 months ago and the Horse of the Year’s present trainer is seemingly not expecting much more. “He is a good horse and he will run well but it is his first run of the season and so he would have to need it,” says Justin Snaith. “In addition the short run-in is not ideal for him.”

Crawford, on the other hand, is more bullish about the Horse Chestnut winner Captain America. “He is close to being 100% ready,” reports the Philippi trainer. “He was pretty well for his first run and I think he has come on since.”

Durban July second Punta Arenas receives 2kg from the big three but, like Futura, he has been off for 16 weeks. “I am expecting a nice run but a mile is a bit sharp for him,” cautions Dennis Drier.

Anton Marcus

The Conglomerate only receives a kilo from the Grade 1 winners and that is not enough. Ashton Park, 55-1 when second 12 months ago, will again be a big price and he may prove best of the Mike Bass quintet.

But it’s on Seventh Plain, 16 out of 16, in the R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run that Marcus faces his biggest task. A conventional start would cost him ten lengths, and easing back to drop his mount in would be even more disastrous.

Most punters will elect to put their trust in genius and on the jockey’s past form they should be rewarded because the stable seemingly has no reservations about the horse’s 20-week absence. Dennis Drier, asked how ready his horse would be, replied (with no ifs or buts): “He is ready.”

Ramsden is quite keen on The Stone Thrower but Liege is held by Seventh Plain on a line through Muwaary and Captain Chaos could be the one to take advantage should Marcus prove unable to pull off another miracle.

Forget last time’s Cape Classic disaster. “He lost 12 lengths at the start and it wasn’t the horse’s fault,” says Ronnie Sheehan who has all along insisted that he was aiming to have the colt at his peak for this – “and I think I have.”

Muwaary, fresh from his triumph in the Graham Beck Stakes, looks the one in the Selangor Cup although Eighth Wonder and Hard Day’s Night represent strong Cape form. Marcus’s mount worked well with Act Of War last Saturday and Ramsden has won three of the last four but draw ten out of 12 is hardly a plus.

There is not much between this horse and Eighth Wonder on Cape Classic running but on that occasion it was Eighth Wonder who had to overcome the coffin-box.

“This is a tough race and I’m trying to keep my feet on the ground,” says Greg Ennion who is quietly hoping to celebrate next week’s 67^th birthday in appropriate style. “His work is good and the jock says he has improved – and this time he is not starting from the sticks.”

By Michael Clower

Horses shuttled in from other provinces by trainers with satellite yards in KZN do not sit well with some of their local colleagues but it has proved to be a mark for local punters to cash in. Dean Kannemeyer has been particularly successful with this strategy and it could pay off again at Greyville on Friday night where he sends out What’s News in a lowly 66MR Handicap, fifth race on the card.

Strummer (Nkosi Hlophe)

Owned by fellow Milnerton-based trainer Greg Ennion, What’s News boasts some useful Cape form, most recently finishing close-up over the Durbanville ‘mile’. He drops to a sprint on Friday but Anthony Delpech takes over from apprentice Xavier Carstens and the switch to the poly track could be the reason for his move to KZN.

However, he does take on a progressive colt in Doug Campbell’s runner Strummer, a winner on debut on the poly before following up with a second place behind the older Victoria’s Love after being backed in to favourite. He obviously has ability and the step up in trip should not be a bother.

But on a card that consists of Maidens and lowly handicaps, punters could have their work cut out finding the right combinations. In the opening leg of the PA, Charles Laird holds a good hand with The Deacon and Stokvel both in with winning chances but the year older Silver Finalist can defy a deep draw in his poly debut while Winter Auralius showed improvement first up on the poly and should enjoy this trip.

Laird sends out a choicely bred import in the third in the form of Italian Miss and she does not have to be any great shakes to have the measure of this field so any market moves must be respected. Golden Earings and Dark Rose are both battling but have been consistent while Make My Own Luck looks set to improve.

Victory Takeover (Nkosi Hlophe)

The fourth is a fillies and mares handicap that has upset written all over it. Anton Marcus has stuck with Victory Takeover and the former champion jockey is renowned for doing his homework as he books his own rides so it may pay to follow his judgement. But the list of possible winners is a long one.

In the sixth, the veteran Dun Carrer has been dropping quickly in the handicap and Frank Robinson’s runner now looks to be off a competitive mark again with Muzi Yeni staying aboard. However, this race is also wide open with the likes of Just Like Magic, Bez-Art and Selvan’s Jet also in the mix.

Marcus booked himself the ride on Pure Valor in the seventh and Lowan Denysschen’s runner could possibly be the best bet on the card. He has only got going late in his recent outings over 1600m and the step up in trip with Marcus aboard looks a good combination.

The last is another open event where Kannemeyer’s runner Canigao can improve on a modest debut but Dark Avenger, Blue Ocean and Silverturnstogold are also in with a shout.

By Andrew Harrison