Draws for the BSA Guineas

Grade 1, R1 million BloodStock SA Cape Guineas over 1600m at Kenilworth on 19 Dec



The nominations are:

DR HORSE M/R TRAINER

4 EXHILARATION (3C) 0.0 105 Dominic Zaki
20 CAPTAIN’S SECRET (3G) 0.0 104 Mike Bass
17 BOLD SILVANO (3C) 0.0 101 Gavin Smith
11 GALILEO’S GALAXY (3C) 0.0 100 Charles Laird
5 PAST MASTER (3C) 0.0 99 Dean Kannemeyer
3 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR (3C) 0.0 98 Greg Ennion
15 KISS AGAIN (3G) 0.0 97 Mike Bass
8 NOORDHOEK FLYER (S (3C) 0.0 96 Dean Kannemeyer
18 ECHOHAWK (3G) 0.0 95 Dominic Zaki
10 ACRISIUS (3G) 0.0 94 Dominic Zaki
19 ANCESTRAL FORE (3G) 0.0 94 Alan Higgins
16 CHIEF MAMBO (3G) 0.0 92 Glen Puller
2 CREE LODGE (3C) 0.0 92 Dean Kannemeyer
7 LAST REGAL (3C) 0.0 92 B Dean Kannemeyer
6 LIZARRE (3C) 0.0 91 Michael Miller
13 PADDY O’REILLY (3C) 0.0 91 Glen Kotzen
14 LION IN WINTER (3C) 0.0 90 Joey Ramsden
12 DOUBLE EXPOSURE (3C) 0.0 82 B Basil Marcus
9 ITALIAN LAKES (BRZ (3C) 0.0 82 Dean Kannemeyer
1 PRINTING PRESS (3G) 0.0 78 Stephen Page
(20)

JACK MILNER - Gallileo's Galaxy, runner-up in recent Vodacom Dingaans at Turffontein, is among the 20 nominations for the Grade 1 BloodStock SA Cape Guineas over 1600m at Kenilworth on 19 December.

Charles Laird’s three-year-old started favourite for the Dingaans but was beaten by stablemate Curved Ball. He is drawn at No 11 so he is likely to start from a single-figure barrier position. At this stage it is Laird’s only entry in the R1-million race but supplementary entries close at 11am tomorrow and there may still be something to come.

Dominic Zaki has entered three runners, all of whom appear well above average. Exhilaration failed in the Dingaans but he did win a Grade 1 race at Clairwood as a juvenile and he is a lot better than his last run. He has drawn well at No 4 and looks like Zaki’s frontline runner.

Echohawk is highly regarded by the stable and has won three of his five races to date. He has yet to come up against this class of field. However, he is badly positioned at No 18 and there is not much room for improvement.

Acrisius ran a close-up fourth in Saturday’s Listed Secretariat Stakes and in spite of a poor draw, managed to finish a 2.25-length fourth to Club Victor. �

Meanwhile Cape trainer Dean Kannemeyer was delighted with the draws allocated to his runners. Past Master, the winner of the Grade 2 Selangor Cup, drew at No 5 and his stablemate and runner-up, Noordhoek Flyer, drew No 8.

``My other three runners Cree Lodge, Last Regal and Italian Kisses also drew within the first 10, which is unusual but lucky all the same. Noordhoek Flyer came from a wide draw to run second in the Selangor. One would expect him to turn the tables, but Past Master won a brilliant race. He won't be a pushover,'' said Kannemeyer.

Another interesting nomination is Bold Silvano from the Port Elizabeth yard of Gavin Smith. He looks to be a very smart performer. He has had six runs for four wins and two close seconds and despite his No 17 draw, Bold Silvano is sure to have his supporters.

The other feature on the day is the Grade 2 WPOTA Diadem Stakes over 1200m and Pocket Power is among the nominees. The seven-year-old showed his wellbeing with a confident victory over Big City Life on Saturday and this race is part of Mike Bass’ build up to the Queen’s Plate in January.

``It was an astounding feat from him to come back so quickly after a very short prep and produce the level of performance that he did,’’ said Bass. ``It was amazing to say the least. He took his run well.’’

Other nominations of interest include Kapil, Villandry and Warm White Night.



NOMINATIONS

BLOODSTOCK SA CAPE GUINEAS (G1) R1-million 1600m

10 ACRISIUS (D Zaki)

19 ANCESTRAL FORE (A B Higgins)

17 BOLD SILVANO (G D Smith)

20 CAPTAIN'S SECRET (M W Bass)

16 CHIEF MAMBO (G R Puller)

2 CREE LODGE (D Kannemeyer)

12 DOUBLE EXPOSURE (B Marcus)

18 ECHOHAWK (D Zaki)

4 EXHILARATION (D Zaki)

11 GALILEO'S GALAXY (C Laird)

9 ITALIAN LAKES (D Kannemeyer)

15 KISS AGAIN (M W Bass)

7 LAST REGAL (D Kannemeyer)

14 LION IN WINTER (J Ramsden)

6 LIZARRE (M D Miller)

3 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR (G W Ennion)

8 NOORDHOEK FLYER (D Kannemeyer)

13 PADDY O'REILLY (G S Kotzen)

5 PAST MASTER (D Kannemeyer)

1 PRINTING PRESS (S H Page)

1 ROBERT THE BRUCE (J S Snaith)

1 VLIEGENDEHOLLANDER (Ri Van Reenen)



WPOTA DIADEM STAKES (WFA)(G2) R300,000 1200m

4 BLUE TIGER (M W Bass)

11 BUSH PIRATE (J Ramsden)

11 DANCE WITH AL (J S Snaith)

6 GAULTIER (M W Bass)

2 KAPIL (S Elley)

14 MAINBRACE (B Marcus)

1 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR (G W Ennion)

10 POCKET POWER (M W Bass)

9 RUSHING WIND (M W Bass)

7 SMART BANKER (C Laird)

5 SOMETHING ELSE (J Ramsden)

13 TARA'S GEM (M J Robinson)

8 THUNDER KEY (G S Kotzen)

12 VILLANDRY (V H Marshall)

3 WARM WHITE NIGHT (C Laird)

Small but good field?

A crack field, headed by Cape Classic winner Captain’s Secret, will line up for the R1-million Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas (Gr 1) to be run over 1600 m at Kenilworth Racecourse on Saturday, 19 December 2009.



The Mike Bass-trained runner is the highest rated in the field but will face fierce opposition from a tough local challenge, the pride of the Eastern Cape, Bold Silvano, and Galileo’s Galaxy, looking to make amends for his defeat by stable companion Curved Ball in last month’s Dingaans (Gr 2). The only other out-of-province visitor is the Betting World Guineas Trial (L) winner Lizarre trained by Mike Miller who makes a rare trip to the Western Cape.



Captain’s Secret ran out a fluent winner of the Cape Classic beating Nocturnal Affair to record his fourth career victory and most recently was far from disgraced when second in a MR 104 sprint to Casey Cool. The son of Captain Al should be cherry-ripe for the Guineas although he does have a wide draw to contend with.



Bold Silvano has been described by some as the best horse to come out of Port Elizabeth for many a year and that assessment was done no harm when the colt easily won the Racing Association Stakes (Listed). Trainer Gavin Smith’s charge will be put to the test here and the handicappers have him rated up alongside Galileo’s Galaxy.



The latter was thought by many to be a sitter for the Dingaans run on Sansui Summer Cup day but he came up empty when stable companion Curved Ball cut him down over the final 100m. Trainer Charles Laird has opted to skip this race with Curved Ball and Galileo’s Galaxy flies the flag.



In a Cape version of the Dingaans, Past Master put one over more fancied stable companion Noordhoek Flyer in the Selangor Cup for top trainer Dean Kannemeyer but in this case there will be a return match with Noordhoek Flyer also penciled in as a runner.



In the day’s supporting feature, recent Betting World Merchants (Gr 1) winner Kapil, will be looking to see off the Charles Laird-trained Warm White Night and Merchants runner-up Villandry in the R300 000 WPOTA Diadem Stakes (Gr 2) to be run over 1200 m.

How do you reckon Bold Silvano will get on?

Dean Kannemeyer and his father Peter have won six Grade 1 Cape Guineas between them over the years. Dean will be making a bold bid to make it seven on Saturday, at Kenilworth Racecourse, as he sends out a strong contingent of four horses to contest the R1-million Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas.



The best pointer to the Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas over the last three years has been the Selangor Cup, a race Kannemeyer has dominated since its inception earlier this decade, winning six of the eight runnings.



He will be looking to claim a Selangor-Guineas double this year as he did last year with the Australian-bred Le Drakkar.



This year he got a Selangor one-two with Past Master and Noordhoek Flyer and that pair will be the most fancied of his four to go on to Guineas glory.



He said that they and his other two, Cree Lodge and Last Regal, are all very, very well and ready to give of their best.



“Past Master was having his first race around the Kenilworth turn in the Selangor and he found a bit of trouble early in the straight,” said Kannemeyer. “But he ran on very well and galloped all the way to the line. It was a very good run and he will be a better horse for it.”



“Noordhoek Flyer was drawn in the bush and raced three wide the whole way. Karl tucked him in again in the straight before making his bid. The draw proved too much for him in the end, but he ran a great race.”



Noordhoek Flyer finished just 1,25 lengths back in second, but was finishing strongest of all and the impression was that he was a touch unlucky not to have won or at least got closer.



“Last Regal was also caught wide from a difficult draw, but ran an excellent race, finishing on top of them. He will do even better when he goes further.”



Cree Lodge finished 4,1 lengths eighth in the Selangor, just 0,25 lengths behind Last Regal, and Kannemeyer gave the impression that he could have done better, saying, “He hit the front too soon”.



Kannemeyer would not be drawn on which of his runners he favoured, but said, “Noordhoek Flyer is a very, very good worker. He shows a lot at home. He has plenty of speed and should stay further than a mile too. He put up a very good gallop at Kenilworth last Friday and is improving.



Past Master is on the up. I’m not sure how far he will go, maybe 2000m. He is quick over 1200m and will get a good run mile. Last Regal is improving as he matures and Cree Lodge is very, very well.”






Gavin Smith has one of Port Elizabeth’s most exciting horses in recent times, Bold Silvano, entered in the R1-million, Grade 1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas on Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse.



The son of Silvano has swept all before him in impressive style in Port Elizabeth, winning four of his six races, and Saturday’s race will prove just how good he is.



“He has tons of ability and is a beautiful individual,” said Smith, “But it’s going to be difficult from that draw.”



Bold Silvano is drawn out wide in stall 13.



The handsome bay has won from 1100-1600m, but Smith believes he has the ability to stay up to 2000m.



Visually the most impressive point about him has been that when asked the question he has quickened away from his opposition without any visible change in his action or levels of stress.



Both Smith and jockey Warren Kennedy confirmed after his last win that he is still “very immature and has a lot of improvement to come.”



Kennedy has been down in Port Elizabeth helping Smith with the horse’s final preparations for the past two weeks and Smith said, “All has gone very well.”



Bold Silvano is travelling to Cape Town overnight tonight (Tuesday, 15 December 2009).

Betting lifted from the TabGold site

1 CAPTAIN`S SECRET 3/1 3/1
2 BOLD SILVANO 6/1 7/1
3 GALILEO`S GALAXY 2/1 2/1
4 PAST MASTER 14/1 8/1
5 NOCTURNAL AFFAIR 20/1 20/1
6 KISS AGAIN 20/1 20/1
7 NOORDHOEK FLYER 7/2 7/2
8 ANCESTRAL FORE 20/1 25/1
9 CREE LODGE 33/1 33/1
10 LAST REGAL 33/1 33/1
11 ROBERT THE BRUCE 20/1 25/1
12 LIZARRE 20/1 25/1
13 PADDY O`REILLY 50/1 50/1
14 LION IN WINTER 33/1 33/1
15 VLIEGENDEHOLLANDER 100/1 100/1

I would love nothing more than to see Bold Silvano win for the PE boys.

I don't think the level of competition is that strong. I really only worry about Dean Kannemeyer and Noordhoek Flyer.

Go Gavin, Go Warren, Go Bold Silvano!!!!!

I think the Dingaans form will come through; GG hard to beat imo; guess the race will show where the best 3yr olds are; Joh'burg, Cape Town, PE or even Durbs?

I'm not mad about Charles Laird's form in grade 1 races from a mile up. He only seems to win with early juveniles and a small amount of older horses.

Not saying GG won't win, just looking elsewhere for the value!!!

Perhaps Lizzare could be the surprise package. LOVE those Jet Masters!!!!

Captain’s Secret winning at Kenilworth Racecourse on 31 October 2009
pic:Equine Edge / Gold Circle



Mike Bass will have a double barrelled shot at the R1-million, Grade 1, Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas on Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse with one of the likely favourites, Captain’s Secret, and Kiss Again.



Captain’s Secret has been one of the most impressive horses of a decent crop of three-year-old colts and geldings this season.



The Captain Al gelding was brought on slowly by Bass before winning his maiden in his third start as a juvenile in May this year over 1200m.



In his fifth start, his last as a juvenile, he showed just how much potential he had by trouncing a field of winners by seven lengths.



His first two starts as a three-year-old saw him winning the Listed Sophomore Sprint by a comfortable 2,75 lengths and he followed with his most impressive performance to date, winning the Grade 3 Cape Classic in October effortlessly over 1400m by 1,5 lengths despite conceding weight all around.



He showed his speed in his next start when finishing runner-up in a handicap against some top division older sprinters over 1200m.



Bass said that Captain’s Secret is ready for his engagement on Saturday.



“He is doing very well, I’m very happy with him,” he said. “He has shown that he is one of the best around. It will be very difficult from his wide draw, but if he gets the breaks we are hopeful he can do it. He’s got a shout.”



Captain’s Secret is drawn way out in stall 15, the widest draw of all.



Bass intimated that Captain’s Secret should not have a problem getting the mile, although he was not sure at this stage what his stamina limitations would be.



In his last start, Bass’s other Guineas hopeful, Kiss Again, a gelding by Al Mufti, finished a 2,5 length third in the Grade 2 Selangor Cup over the 1600m course and distance of Saturday’s race.



However, he was very favourably drawn in three then, as opposed to 12 on Saturday, although he will be on 1,5kg better terms with the Selangor winner, Past Master.



Bass said that Kiss Again was “not up to the standard of Captain’s Secret, but is doing very well and could get a place.”



Bernard Fayd’Herbe will ride Captain’s Secret, while Christopher Puller will be aboard Kiss Again.

Galileo’s Galaxy seen winning at Clairwood Racecourse on 12 July 2009.



Charles Laird’s challenger in the Grade 1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas to be run on Saturday at Kenilworth Racecourse, Galileo’s Galaxy, arrived in Cape Town at 6.30am on Tuesday morning.



Galileo’s Galaxy, an Australian-bred colt by one of the world’s leading sires, Galileo, will give Laird an outstanding chance of landing his first Cape Guineas.



“He travelled very well,” said Laird. “I gave him a canter after arriving. He was as fresh as ever and in very good shape. I’m very happy with him.”



Laird was “not at all disappointed” with Galileo’s first defeat in three starts when beaten into a 1,25 length second by his stable mate Curved Ball in the Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m at Turffontein on November 28.”



“Curved Ball could be something out of the ordinary,” said Laird, “it is still unknown how good he is. So what Galileo’s Galaxy did in that race was exceptional.



“To lead all the way at Turffontein, especially in sticky going, is very difficult. The way he fought on to claim second was an exceptional effort.



“Galanthus has shown that he’s up with the very best of this crop, yet Galileo’s Galaxy has met him twice and given him a hiding both times. But, it’s not easy to come down to Cape Town and win. Galileo’s has only had three runs and must meet the best of the locals on their home turf.



“But I do think he will be suited to the 1 600m of Kenilworth. He should stay up to 2 000m later on. His father won the Derby and he is out of a Star Way mare who has some stamina in her pedigree.”



Laird planned on giving Galileo’s Galaxy “a blow” yesterday morning (Wednesday) in his final work before the big race.

---

The R1-million Grade 1 Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas at Kenilworth on Saturday could see Greg Ennion having one of the best outsiders, the 20-1 shot Nocturnal Affair, although he doesn’t consider the Victory Moon colt to be an outsider at all.



Nocturnal Affair has never missed a cheque in ten starts. His first win came in his third start when he landed the Grade 3 Cape Nursery over 1200m, beating another Guineas contender, the Joey Ramsden-trained Lion In Winter, by 1,25 lengths.



Since then he has won one more race, an Allowance Plate over 1200m, but has placed in three Grade 3 features, including an excellent effort against older horses in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes when less than a length back in third from a wide draw over 1400m.



In his last two starts, Nocturnal Affair has finished a 1,5 length second to Captain’s Secret in the Cape Classic over 1400m and a 2,85 length fifth to Past Master in the Grade 2 Selangor over 1600m, but in both starts he had wide draws to contend with.



On Saturday he is perfectly drawn in stall two.



“He is very well and everything has gone right, said Ennion. “He put in an exceptional gallop on Tuesday in his last serious work for the race.



“The Guineas will be the first time in his career that everything will be in his favour. He is a huge colt who weights 540kg and wasn’t suited to the heavy going he had to contend with in his two starts around the turn as a juvenile.



“In the Selangor he had to be chased around horses. The two horses that kept him out ran last and second last, while he ran on for fifth.



“Felix (Coetzee) has stayed with him which is significant. Felix worked him twice a week before going to Hong Kong for the weekend and is very happy with him. There is no doubt whatsoever that he will stay the 1600m. Nothing has ever gone his way before, now he has everything in his favour and I wouldn’t be running him here if I didn’t think he could win.”




Trainer Alan Higgins has said that his Guineas contender, the Dynasty gelding, Ancestral Fore, is “very well” and that if he “can get over from his wide draw he has a good chance.”



Ancestral Fore finished 4,6 lengths behind Captain’s Secret in the Cape Classic over 1400m, after having to be switched at the 100m mark.



He then ran on well in the Selangor when a 2,6 length fourth to Past Master, despite having jumped from the identical draw he has in the Cape Guineas, stall fourteen