An extremely wet July has Cape Racing playing catch up after the abandonment of recent meetings. Wednesday’s card is scheduled for Hollywoodbets Durbanville, with nine races to be staged on what will obviously still be a wet surface even though the sun has been out the last couple of days.
As training gallops have been waterlogged, horses short of routine workouts will come in underprepared and in need of a run. Doing paddock inspections will be crucial in assessing the physical shape of all competitors. Punters might also lean towards horses that have raced within the past month or so and retain a reasonable level of fitness.
The three to concentrate on in Race 2, opening Leg of the Bipot are CUMBRE VIEJA, LANDOFTHERISINGSUN and SOUND OF THE SEA. The former ran well 32 days ago behind Sail the Seas after going close at his penultimate. The other two clashed behind Noon Day Gun with SOUND OF THE SEA a game leader on that occasion and LANDOFTHERISINGSUN closing willingly from off the pace.
GROOVEJET ran nicely 29 days ago behind his Justin Snaith-trained stablemate Greenland over the course and 1600m distance and can go one better in Race 5 – an Open Maiden. Despite making breathing noises at his first two starts his form since then has been solid.
That said, caution is advised given the spread at the weights and exotic bettors may choose to add CHAMPONELLE (the inside draw around the turn should help) and AMANCIO who gets a claim four allowance for apprentice, Nastili’s services.
GOLDEN GREY, POINTDEXTER, JOVIAL and COSMIC RHYTHM have shown enough to merit consideration for bigger perms, but all must overcome wide gates.
Race 6 is a particularly contentious Class 3 handicap over a mile with 11 entries. By process of elimination, MAGIC VERSE, CHOLLIMA, SOLAR POWER, FUTURE PRINCE and ALLEZ MORIS might be sufficient cover to sneak through the Picks.
Assuming low draws are an advantage with the short straight of the course, MAGIC VERSE and CHOLLIMA are marginally preferred. These middle weights can save ground and get the run of the race in what should be a fast-paced contest with plenty of speed (NEVADA KING, OTTO LUYKEN, FUTURE TURN) signed on.
HELIOTROPE produced an encouraging come home sectional behind Green Isle last time and could be the answer stretching out over 2000m in Race 7, though the young daughter of Rafeef will need to fend off Andre Nel’s steady older performer, FAIRE ADVANTAGE.
Nel’s private facility for Plattner Racing up the West Coast at Rondeberg has experienced less disruption compared to local training yards at Milnerton and Phillipi. The Trippi gelding could therefore have an edge in fitness over this exhausting eleven panel route which he attempts for the first time.
The aptly named MISTER MONOCLE (has only one eye) and distance suited, TWICE THE MASTER should also give a good sight.
Measured on the official merit ratings, PACAYA (OMR 115) and SUGAR MOUNTAIN (OMR 118) stick out on pure ability above six other rivals in Race 8, a Cape A Stakes over 1800m. Both will carry 61.5kg’s.
SUGAR MOUNTAIN notched his eighth career victory from 25 starts recently and the Candice Bass-Robinson trained entry seems sure to go strongly given a fine wet weather record. Snaith Racing’s, PACAYA mixes his form but is very smart when all parts are in good order so merits serious respect.
LOVE IS A ROSE (OMR 104) might try to dictate matters from the front in a race devoid of speed and this proven mud-loving mare can bridge the gulf in the ratings. SACHDEV, last start winner, FLOWER OF SAIGON and the enigmatic, RAPIDASH all have place chances.
