ONE STRIPE won Saturday’s Cape Punters Cup over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, just as the market expected. It wasn’t a stroll in the park though, as he had to quicken up smartly to run down free-wheeling stable mate, ALL OUT FOR SIX, who escaped to lead by a wide margin. But, once Gavin Lerena flicked the switch, this truly high- class, One World colt asserted his superiority over the final 100m to win drawing off by 1.75 lengths.
“His acceleration is phenomenal,” crowed Lerena. And veteran conditioner Vaughan Marshall also highlighted ONE STRIPE’s “incredible turn of finishing speed” as a major attribute. His charge completed a visually impressive, come -home sectional in 23 seconds and change, as opposed to the runner -up who toiled through the final 400m in 24.4 seconds.
ONE STRIPE is busy compiling a formidable resume: four wins from six starts, including both Nurseries in the Cape, and now this Grade 2. On all known evidence, he is likely to start a popular favourite for the upcoming, Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas.
EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN ran honourably 2.75 lengths back in third place, having his first start in 154 days since pipping All out For Six in the Langerman.
Described as a “serious racehorse” by the astute Snaith Racing outfit, he is liable to make significant improvement in his next starts, and therefore rates a legit challenger in the HWB Cape Guineas, as well. He closed in a brisk 23.4 second, just a fifth of a second shy of turbo charged ONE STRIPE.
Most of the day’s races were won by a procession of predictable, top-of-the boards fancies. However, there was a sizzling boil over in the 1100m World Sports Betting Bantry Bay Stakes when 40/1 ZIYASHA dominated from the front to ward off MEU CAPITANO and QUESTIONING.
Early speed in turf sprints is often a decisive factor, something 12 x Gr 1 winning jock, Raymond Danielson cleverly took advantage of when allowed an uncontested lead while deftly crossing from the standside towards the inner strip.
“He pinged the gates and was soon cruising, using his action. He gave it his all right to the line and I’m surprised they got as close to him as they did…” said the opportunistic rider.
This was a bold effort under 62kg’s by the Rafeef gelding who has now won five of 19 starts.
The Summer Bowl over 1600m fell to 5/2 second favourite, DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, as she exacted revenge over rival fillies, RASCOVA and RED PALACE that had beaten her previously.
The pace fell apart here with leader RASCOVA, favoured 13/10, stalker RED PALACE and handy- type, TIME FOR LOVE weakening in deep stretch to miss the places.
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, cleverly held up off those fast fractions, proved much the best when Richard Fourie asked her to lengthen down the centre of the summer course, and she easily withstood 33/1 outsider, RAINBOW LORIKEET’s valiant rails run.
Middle distance exponent, SAARTJIE made a most encouraging start to her season, also staying on well from near the back of the pack to round out the trifecta, with RASCOVA tiring in fourth.
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM is trained by Justin Snaith; she’s lost 13kg’s since her warm-up at Hollywoodbets Durbanville a month ago when nowhere near her best, and will get even trimmer as the season develops. That could mean trouble for opposing fillies as she is already performing at a high level and will boost her ratings as she develops physically.
LION RAMPART went all the way down the inside rail under vigorous left-hand urgings from Richard Fourie in the 1200m World Sports Betting Sophomore Sprint (Listed).
The jockey, who gets on so well with the now four-times winning son of One World, said, “He was fitter today after his comeback run and has changed both physically and in his demeanour.” That confidence reflected in betting moves as LION RAMPART shortened from 2’s into even money before getting the job done.
KAIBOY, described by rider Aldo Domeyer as, “a big puppy that will improve in time,” chased in vain to hold second.
MISS WORLD, Greg Ennion’s smart filly, is holding her form well against the boys, she snuck into third by a wafer-thin margin over HANDSOME PRINCE.
-caperacing.co.za
