By Mark van Deventer
ONE STRIPE appears to be the proverbial “good thing” in the HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap and sets new connections up for a R3 million farewell payout before his overseas adventures commence in the USA.
The O.M.R. 132 winner of six out of eight starts, including the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and L’Ormarins King’s Plate, faces nine opponents – none of whom can sport anything close to such a sky-high rating. Even if he must concede the field between 2kgs and 7kgs, that should still be insufficient to bridge the gulf in class.
Gavin Lerena sticks solid on Vaughan Marshall’s high-powered entry who drops back in trip to 1400m after his heroics over a mile. He’s been freshened at his Milnerton base with 71 days elapsing since he beat off the best milers in the country in early January at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. ONE STRIPE returns to his happy stomping ground and will start short odds on to embellish his resume.
GREAT PLAINS could be next best. Beaten 2.75 lengths by ONE STRIPE in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at level weights and now receiving 2kgs, he is entitled to scare the favourite. Trainer Justin Snaith will be emboldened by the fact that GREAT PLAINS goes best fresh, can accelerate sharply, and has a formidable record over seven panels with four wins from five starts.
Rugged, pace-maker ALL OUT FOR SIX has similar claims at the weight shift after running 1.75 lengths behind his Marshall-trained stable mate in the Selangor. COASTAL COMMANDER and handily weighted 4YO, THE GREY KING, will apply pressure for the lead too, so it should be a true run 1400m – though none of them have the rapid gear shifts that ONE STRIPE can muster.
THE GREY KING
PASSCHENDAELE trucks back down from the Eastern Cape with Kelly Mitchley, having started her career in Cape Town. The official handicappers have her clear second best on the ratings. She does well in extended sprints and should get a nice run from draw 1, though this is a considerable step up in grade.
TAIL OF THE COMET was one of the best around at three in SA, only to completely lose his way. He’s beaten very few rivals home at his last seven attempts, and will need a Lazarus-type comeback to get involved.
LA PULGA is more likely as a plausible place contender. He is moving steeply up in class, shows smart form and is progressing steadily as he matures. He is expected to be staying on when the speed horses cave in.
He is conditioned by Candice Bass-Robinson who also saddles EMPIRE STATE with a similarly progressive profile against lesser foes that is also slated to carry 53kg.
MAKAZOLE tangled with Snaith Racing stable companion GREAT PLAINS earlier in his career, finishing between one and three lengths back at level weights. He comes in here off a much better run to Symphony in White at his second run after a rest and gelding. Set to tote 55kg, he is a live candidate for hitting the board.
In summary, ONE STRIPE has the Big Cap at his mercy. GREAT PLAINS is poised to take advantage if the “hottie” duffs it.
The battle for lucrative place slots is a toss-up.
