By Mark van Deventer
Eight fillies and two mares face the starter, Fred Bosman for the SplashOut Prix du Cap (Gr 3) over 1400m. Checking the official “best weighted” column, ROCCAPINA and BAVARIAN BEAUTY are joint top rated, followed by GIMMIE’S COUNTESS eight points adrift, then MON PETIT CHERIE and CELTIC RUMOURS.
ROCCAPINA has strong credentials – a late charging second to Asiye Phambili in the Gr 1 Cartier Sceptre Stakes over 1200m; then a length, 3rd behind Rascova/Double Grand Slam in the Gr 1 Maine Chance Farms Majorca Stakes over 1600m.
This intermediate trip of 1400m should suit ideally; as a 3YO she carries just 54.5kg’s and the overall profile of this richly, talented daughter of One World, trained by Candice Bass Robinson is trending positively.
Bass also conditions pace factor BAVARIAN BEAUTY who forged her reputation in KZN and Gauteng, when younger. The 4YO Querari filly could be dangerous, racing handy under masterful judge of pace, Piere Strydom but must improve on what she has shown at her last two, tame starts.
GIMMIE’S COUNTESS is a more plausible threat dropping back to seven panels, 1200m sprints are over too quick for her and she doesn’t quite last home over a mile. She is way better than a mere two-time winner and has incredible acceleration – though her wide draw and off-pace swooping style requires deft judgement and luck to carry off successfully. Indeed, she has been a tragedy, beaten a few times already, e.g. suffering cruel losses in the Allan Robertson and Fillies Championships when snared back and blocked.
GIMMIE’S COUNTESS
CELTIC RUMOURS is another deep-closer, drawn out at nine. She has run some decent numbers on the Highveld for Sean Tarry yet has not matched those figures at three dull starts in the Cape this Summer.
Well-drawn (1) MON PETIT CHERIE won over the course and distance in the Western Cape Fillies Championships before a no-show when backed to win the Gr 1 World Sports Betting Cape Fillies Guineas. Trainers Brett and James Crawford has rested her for 77 days since that flop. If revived she can get into the fray as Richard Fourie will help her get the run of the race.
Fit, pace-presser, SIDDELEY comes in off a third-place finish in the Olympic Duel Stakes over 1200m a month ago. She will give a good sight under Gavin Lerena but could be vulnerable to stretch runners with stronger come-home sectionals, such as GIMMIE’S COUNTESS and ROCCAPINA.
The same concern applies to SOUTHERN SKIES who has done well this season at a lower level at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. She will need a career best to repel classier rivals down the long, testing straight.
PRINCESS IZZY has been off track for three months. She has a good record at the distance. However, in September she clashed with GIMMIE’S COUNTESS in the Diana Stakes and was comprehensively out-finished when beaten a couple of lengths.
GIMMETHATPEARL has the lowest OMR in the field of 96. As such she will need to make drastic improvement. To her credit she has won four of just nine starts, but that has only been a humble Maiden, a Class 4, and twice at Class 3 level.
MIA MOO ran on encouragingly in the Olympic Duel, a big step up on her local debut when unsighted. If she continues to progress, then she can get into the frame. Her back form to Chasing Happiness in the Magnolia Stakes at least puts Sean Tarry’s entry in the ballpark to place.
The Gr 3 SplashOut Prix du Cap could resolve itself into a showdown between ROCCAPINA (J.P. van der Merwe rides) and GIMMIE’S COUNTESS (Craig Zackey).
Measured on pure ability, they are the right duo to hone in on. However, they can be hostages to fortune with their tendency to come from off the pace and will need to get the breaks at the right time to prevail.
