The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Le Drakkar, an ever improving three-year-old, has the Grade 1 Investec Cape Derby at his mercy after his adversary, the Joey Ramsden-trained Bush Pirate, also entered in the Derby, blotted his copybook when sent over a mile for the first time, losing by 5,75 lengths to the Glen Kotzen-trained Robinson Crusoe in the Listed Politician Stakes over 1800m at Kenilworth.
Robinson Crusoe is also a Derby entrant but in that last win he only beat home his stable companion Volpista, also a Derby entry, who was beaten 4,15 lengths by Le Drakkar in the Grade I Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas. Kotzen also runs Big City Life, who ran unplaced in the Cape Guineas.
The only horse in the field who has defeated Le Drakkar, the Brett Crawford-trained Jamaican Dream, has not excelled since that win in the Investec Cape Classic over 1400m, having finished unplaced behind Le Drakkar in both the Selangor and Cape Guineas since. There don’t look to be any other likely candidates to threaten Le Drakkar. The big yards of Mike Bass and Justin Snaith only have one entry apiece, the 74-rated Grisham and the 73-rated Pivotal Blue respectively. The only raider in the field is the Michael Roberts-trained Zizou, who looks well held on current merit ratings.
ends
Gill Simpkins
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