By Mark van Deventer
ALL OUT FOR SIX, trained by Vaughan Marshall, won a dramatic HSH Princess Charlene Big Cap over 1400m for a gross stake of R5 million at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth this Sunday.
Marshall also saddled 4/10 favourite ONE STRIPE, but the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas and L’Ormarins King’s Plate victor finished unplaced after encountering bumping and interference at a crucial point when he tried to lift and go down a congested inside rail.
Instead, 33/1 longshot, LA PULGA (by Pomodoro) launched a rally from far back to secure second 1.75 lengths back; Bass Racing have a smart 3YO with a bright future over longer routes. Justin Snaith’s grey GREAT PLAINS (by Danon Platina) came from the rear to be up late for third.
THE GREY KING cut out the early fractions, tracked by PASSCHENDAELE and COASTAL COMMANDER, but none were able to sustain those exertions. Instead, ALL OUT FOR SIX, unsettled in fourth spot under Grant van Niekerk in a turbulent contest, produced the most telling burst in mid-stretch to take the bounty. The final time was 85.38 seconds.
ALL OUT FOR SIX (by One World) placed early in the season in the Gr 3 Cape Classic behind Great Plains and in the Punter’s Cup to One Stripe, reversed those formlines at odds of 25/1 and is now a winner of three of ten starts. Bred at Drakenstein Stud, he is owned by the One World Racing Syndicate.
ALL OUT FOR SIX
7/1 chance, MILITARY COMMAND (by Fire Away), lead all the way in the Cape Racing Sales Cape Slipper for 2YOs over 1200m. DREAMWORLD tried to keep up with the dominant speed, and held second from fast finishers, MALMESBURY MISSILE and BLACK CHEETAH.
MILITARY COMMAND is trained by Peter Muscutt and was ridden by Craig Zackey. On a wind-free day, he benefitted from an uncontested lead on a fast track, then made a decisive move through the 400m to clinch it in a final time of 70.17 seconds.
Fancied at 33/10, HOLDING THUMBS turned the Monaco Sport of Kings Kenilworth Cup (Listed) over 2400m into a procession. Sean Veale had the long-striding, robust Vercingetorix stayer racing authoritatively in front, and he drew off to win convincingly by over three lengths.
Kotzen Racing’s companion, BLACKBERRY MALT, last down the back stretch, stayed on to be second for a stable exacta with GROOVEJET clunking up for a never-nearer third.
Said Veale of the tactics employed, “HOLDING THUMBS felt amazing. Glen Kotzen does not tie me down, so with an action like that I’d rather just let him play in front.” Veale continued, “I’d like to keep on him for Durban…” in a reference to exciting aspirations that Kotzen’s tough campaigner has for middle distance-and-beyond contests during the KZN Winter.
