Arguably, the best prep going into the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1) was the Cape Punters Cup (G2) three weeks ago – over the same Hollywoodbets Kenilworth course and 1600m distance – where the tactically versatile Hluhluwe came from dead last to win, as potentially high class Green with Envy also made a spirited dash from the back to get within a length of the victor. Notably, both ran swift closing sectionals, suggesting a true run mile will suit just fine.
Snow Pilot split the pair after racing handy in a bold display, so is priced up at 11/2 for this, together with another Guineas candidate Questioning who weakened late in that level weights contest after also pressing the pace.
For both, it was their second run after rests, so they could conceivably improve third start back for this primary target. The fact is that they were comprehensively outfinished by Hluhluwe and Green With Envy who are again preferred to mete out similar treatment.
Tail of the Comet was in that same Punters Cup showdown, clocking in 2.7 lengths in arrears as the odds- on favourite. On earlier top notch form he must be taken seriously, especially having run some big numbers in Durban and Johannesburg where his swift turn of foot was telling. Reading too much into just one (below par) start could be a costly over-reaction and Sean Tarry’s representative remains a principal candidate.
The filly, Red Palace is very hard to assess. She has been withdrawn at the start at her last two intended engagements when refusing to load. That is deeply troubling for her supporters/connections, yet the word is out from Bass Racing that she is a rare talent and the way she has decimated weaker opposition serves as a warning to the colts.
Connections are hoping she behaves as calmly as she does at starting stalls “practice”, gets to run and show her true worth. She is also an important pace factor given her propensity to set strong early fractions.
In addition, Candice Bass Robinson sends out Captain Arrow who tries a longer route after doing nicely in extended sprints, and Jerusalema Rain, an excellent juvenile (beat Sandringham Summit in June) attempting to regain the winning thread after relocating from the Highveld to the coast.
Zil Moris is a steady performer who ran well to older rival Charlie Croker recently. He was just under two lengths off Hluhluwe when that one was pipped by My Golly Molly in the Langerman back in July. From draw 1, Luyolo Mxothwa has positional options, though it will take a perfect trip and a career best for Brett Crawford’s entry to really threaten. The 20/1 longshot is not impossible for the placings.
Crawford also saddles Zoomie who rates a couple lengths inferior to Hluhluwe on a few lines of form. Glen Kotzen’s charge, 50/1 outsider Hat’s Pride in turn ranks a few lengths off Zoomie so the runner with by far the lowest OMR of 90 will be hard pressed to make an impact from the widest draw of all (11.)
Justin Snaith’s in-form Hluhluwe is probably the percentage call given his ability rating of 111 (only Questioning has officially been assessed at the same level), an adaptable running style and neat draw of 4. All that explains why Justin Snaith’s budding star is 5/2 ante-post favourite.
However, the feeling is that Green With Envy’s best is yet to come. The now Hong Kong based jock, Keagan de Melo’s prediction that he was on the next Cape Guineas winner after a smashing debut success in June, may be vindicated.
Trainer Dean Kannemeyer is proven as a Guineas maestro – another plus factor. Look for jockey Craig Zackey, currently riding Hollywooodbets Kenilworth’s decks with aplomb, to deliver Green with Envy (ante-post odds around 9/2) decisively in deep stretch.
Tail of the Comet (9/2) and Questioning (6/1) are rock solid, back up alternatives with the enigmatic Red Palace (14/1 in early trade) a mysterious dark horse to lob onto wider tickets.
The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas is carded as Race 8. Off time is 15h40.
