Be Bold with Crawford’s star

Weight – for – age events are usually relatively cut and dried, but that isn’t the case with this year’s Grade 1 Betting World Cape Flying Championship, which appears one of the most open races of the day.

But despite that top-rated Bold Respect would be the tentative first choice.

Brett Crawford’s star was an impressive winner of the Grade 1 Golden Horse in May, and has needed his two prep runs for this event.

He seems primed for a huge effort.

This Bold Silvano gelding has plenty of natural speed, and with even though the 1000m is not his optimal distance, the southeaster is predicted to be around on Saturday, which will aid his cause as he seeks to reel in the front runners.

Chief among those will be stable companion Pacific Trader.

He is the real speedball in this line up, and has won his last four runs over course and distance without being troubled.

He recorded a quick time when beating more than half of this field last time in a Pinnacle Stakes, and while he has a bit more to do at the weights, remains an extremely serious contender, and will take some catching.

Dutch Philip is an interesting runner. His last win was The CTS 1200 exactly a year ago, where he beat Kasimir going away on identical terms.

Kasimir is ultra-consistent, and also looks sure to be right there again.

Another with serious winning pretensions.

Gauteng raider Rebel’s Champ has won four of his last five starts, and goes well for Peruvian jockey Carlos Herrera Gomez.

The visiting rider has only this ride on the day, which could be significant.

Princess Rebel was an impressive winner of the Grade 2 Southern Cross and while this will be far tougher, has to be respected.

Sand And Sea and A enborough are Grade 1 winners who retain shock potential, as does Speedpoint.

This Quartet is going to pay! The way to go could be to fl oat 1 and 7, with 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11 and 15.

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