With the Cape Summer Season now gathering momentum, the older horses get a chance to strut their stuff in tomorrow’s R350 000 Cape Mile (Gr 3) at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in preparation for the R3-million L’Ormarins Kings Plate (Gr 1) over 1600m on 4 January and the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Gr 1) over 2000m on 25 January.
Last year’s Cape Mile (Gr 3) saw MONTIEN deny ROYAL AUSSIE by a neck, and both reappear in tomorrow’s 2024 renewal. This time around ROYAL AUSSIE is 2kgs better off, but MONTIEN has had the benefit of a recent run when just failing to make all in the Kuda Matchem Stakes (Gr 3) over 1400m back in September. Regular pilot Anthony Andrews retains the ride on MONTIEN and there is every chance that similar catch-me-if-you-can tactics will be employed as the big-striding 5yo son of Louis The King is a resolute galloper.
ROYAL AUSSIE has not been seen finishing a good third in the Mercury Sprint (Gr 1) over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville at the end of July, prior to which he scored a brilliant win over Cousin Casey in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes (Gr 2) over 1400m at the same venue. ROYAL AUSSIE gets the services of Richard Fourie, and the Champion Jockey enjoys a wonderful record aboard the 5yo son of Royal Mo.
Dual Gr 1 winner, GIMME A PRINCE, tackles 1600m for the first time in his career and there is every reason to be cautiously optimistic that Dean Kannemeyer’s charge will prove effective over the extended trip. Back in 2023, GIMME A PRINCE finished second over 1400m in both the IOS Drill Stakes (Gr 2) and the Matchem Stakes (Gr 3), when narrowly beaten by Charles Dickens, and on each occasion he left the impression that 1600m could well be within his range.
GIMME A PRINCE was then sidelined for nearly a year due to injury before re-appearing in this season’s renewal of the Kuda Matchem Stakes when finishing fourth, less than two lengths adrift of MONTIEN. GIMME A PRINCE is likely to have come on since that excellent comeback run and is favourably treated by the conditions of the Cape Mile. If the trip does not pose a problem, then GIMME A PRINCE could well be the one they all have to beat.
It’s been 924 days since ZAPATILLAS last tasted victory, but the classy son of Master Of My Fate has this third run after being rested and gelded and he should be cherry ripe. He was just a nose behind GIMME A PRINCE in the Kuda Matchem Stakes and the pair meet again on exactly the same weight terms. RASCALLION makes his seasonal debut but goes well fresh and his form this year has been of the highest quality. He finished second in the WSB Cape Town Met back in January following which the now 7yo son of Vercingetorix took out the Variety Club Mile before finishing third in the Legal Eagle Stakes over 1800m. High-flying Gavin Lerena is in town to partner Vaughan Marshall’s stable stalwart.
SUGAR MOUNTAIN can never be underestimated and should again make his presence felt in this high-quality line-up while HLUHLUWE has a point to prove following a disappointing end to his 3yo career. SOLAR POWER, PROMETTERE and ITSRAININGWILLIAM all face a tough task at these weights, and it would come as something of a surprise to see any of this trio make the frame.
Not an easy race to nail one’s colours to the mast but ROYAL AUSSIE gets my vote to edge out MONTIEN and GIMME A PRINCE. However, exotic bet players are advised to cast their net a little wider and possibly include RASCALLION, ZAPATILLAS and SUGAR MOUNTAIN in Jackpot and Pick 6 calculations.
Bankers are not easy to find on yet another competitive Hollywoodbets Kenilworth card and punters may have to take their chances with the rapidly improving SHIPINDANI, a 3yo daughter of One World who lines up in the eighth race, a Class 5 Handicap (F&M) over 1200m. With 61,5kgs to shoulder, victory is no foregone conclusion for SHIPINDANI but the competition in this low-grade handicap is limited while Andre Nel’s charge looks progressive and may prove equal to the task.
SNOW PILOT has side-stepped the Cape Mile in preference for the third race, a Progress Plate over 1400m, and last season’s Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Gr 1) winner looks set to go back-to-back after beating One Stripe in a similar contest a month ago. In receipt of 8kgs, the promising Bjorn Ironside, a 3yo son of Gimmethegreenlight, appears to be the principal danger. BJORN IRONSIDE has Guineas aspirations of his own and he should relish stepping up to 1400m for the first time in his career. WILLIAM IRON ARM debuts for the Dean Kannemeyer stable and the 4yo son of William Longsword, who was placed in both the Gauteng Guineas (Gr 2) and SA Classic (Gr 1), is certainly one to keep an eye on.
The first of ten races, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, gets underway at 12:00 and CORK BAY is fancied to beat ELSINORE, GIMMEATHRILL and CHARLIE BUCKET.
