By Mark van Deventer
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer has a stellar record with high class 3YOs in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. In the last 20 years, past winners he has trained include Rabiya (2005) Express Way (2006) Le Drakkar (2008) Noordhoek Flyer (2009) Capetown Noir (2012) and 80/1 grey bomb, Russian Rock (2020).
GIMMIE RULES is the stable’s classic contender for this year. The son of Gimmethegreenlight ex Real Princess (and thus bred to be extraordinary, given the accomplishment of his siblings) has made three career starts.
He won on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville in mid-June without undue stress, got blocked at his follow-up when making a big move on the rail, then sauntered to victory in a Class 4 where he quickened up impressively.
Kannemeyer likes to get a bit more seasoning into his Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas hopefuls – ideally the prestigious Gr 1 is the fifth or sixth career start. To that end, and to provide much needed experience at the course where the big race will be staged (Hollywoodbets Kenilworth), GIMMIE RULES is pitched on Saturday into a 1400m B Stakes where he should prove too classy.
The presence of confirmed tear-away SAN PEDRO in the field, together with on-pace runners, COASTAL COMMANDER and GOODNESSGRACIOUSME will ensure a true run heat on a quick running track.
Race 3 shapes up as a good test for GIMMIE RULES. Off time is at 13h50.
The main threat is posed by JET FORCE, held in high regard by trainer, Des McLachlan. He used a powerful finish to land a betting coup when storming past Absolutely Yes at Hollywoodbets Durbanville in early September and showcase his considerable talents.
Mclachlan, who trained Ethnocentric to win the Cape Guineas in 2001, decided to wait til racing returned to Hollywoodbets Kenilworth before stepping the hat-trick seeking Master of My Fate gelding out again, but he could find it tough conceding 4.5kgs to an emerging talent like GIMMIE RULES, who jockey Craig Zackey thinks the world of.
Kannemeyer saddles another promising 3YO, GALLIC VICTOR in Race 5, a Class 4 over 1950m. Putting him over a longer route at only his third start suggests that he might be a Lucky Fish Cape Derby prospect. He certainly caught the eye running on purposefully behind Mente et Manu a month ago over a mile at Hollywoodbets Durbanville, after a tardy break.
GALLIC VICTOR comes in with 54.5kg, meaning he will receive a potentially significant 2kgs from promising contemporary, COCO’S HERO.
Ultra consistent older rival, KING’S QUEST, is also respected as he should work out a smooth trip under tactically astute, Aldo Domeyer. However, on the Mente et Manu form line he might battle to hold off the youngster, GALLIC VICTOR who finished in front of him there, and is most likely making rapid improvement from one start to the next at this formative stage of his racing career.
Race 6 is a Class 4 (F & M) over 1800m, and a pull at the weights could be the factor that helps HELIOTROPE snap a 399-day losing spell. With claim 4kg apprentice Bungane riding, she will tote just 50.5g which puts her on favourable terms with confirmed rivals like Adam Marcus’ TWO A PENNY and MY ONLY WEAKNESS.
HELIOTROPE has run some of her best races over this course and distance. The Rafeef mare has come down a few ticks in the OMRs and has already gone nicely at this class level off slightly higher marks. With the weight relief and a clear round, she gets her opportunity at a possible third career victory.
Despite HELIOTROPE’s weight edge, LAVENDER BAY is feared. Jockey Domeyer’s strategic race-riding savvy has already been noted, and he has positional options on Andre Nel’s Twice Over mare. She can be ridden forwardly or be held up, and she emerged with credit when going down by a flared nostril to Strawberry Thief three weeks. This after being awkwardly placed and disappointed for a clear run.
Miami Summer was one of the most impressive winners during the Spring interlude out at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and a horse he beat in that Maiden tour-de-force, CEDAR POINT, is of interest even though he now takes on winners in an Apprentice Stakes – Race 4 over 1400m.
CEDAR POINT earned a decent figure which should be competitive against well exposed, moderate foes with humble OMRs.
What was encouraging is that, though comprehensively beaten by his talented Justin Snaith trained stable mate, the son of Vercingetorix closed off the race willingly (23 seconds dead for the final 400m) when asked to get a wriggle on by Gavin Lerena.
CEDAR POINT sports an improving profile and should get a smooth trip from draw 4 tracking likely leader, fellow 3YO, FLYING SOUTH (who stole it from the front when beating subsequent easy winner, Kattekwaadwadraad) and pace presser, COUNT WILLIAM.
Visiting apprentice from the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Nichola Yuen now takes over, claiming 1.5kg. She’s doing just fine on her Cape Town educational sojourn with three victories and six places from 34 mounts. Yuen is an energetic, bubbly personality and a determined rider.
Amongst the grizzled, experienced opposition, two-time winners, MELA STRENGTH, TRES CHIC and MARIACHI MADNESS, who have 84 runs among them, should be kept onside.
Race 4 is the opening Leg of the P6.
