Prepare to meet a newly minted racing legend at Cape Guineas

It’s been called the race “where legends are made” and the “sire factory”, so it’s small wonder that Saturday’s Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas at Kenilworth is eagerly anticipated.

Illustrious names from the past were first illuminated here, like Colorado King, Hawaii, Jamaican Music, Politician, Empress Club, Horse Chestnut and Jay Peg. If that list doesn’t get you excited, how about adding Jerez, Bold Tropic, Gatecrasher, Captain Al, Jet Master and Variety Club. All are winners of what is nowadays seen as the premier classic event in South Africa.

Perhaps the most famous Cape Guineas was in 1972 when two of the country’s greatest-ever horses battled it out to dead-heat, Sentinel and In Full Flight.

Another notable of yore was Geoff Woodruff’s amazing filly Star Effort, who won both the Fillies Guineas and the Guineas on the way to a career record of 10 wins from 11 and six from six in her momentous three-year-old year.

Current “newish” sires like William Longsword, Act Of War, Capetown Noir and Soqrat established their legend by winning it, too.

This year unbeaten colt Charles Dickens is heavily expected to add his name to the glorious roll of honour. His trainer, Candice Bass-Robinson, said this week he is the best horse she has trained – and that includes a bunch of very serious individuals.

ALSO READ: Great expectations of Candice and Charles Dickens

But it’s not a one-horse race – or even a two-horse affair (a boat race), with Glen Kotzen-trained Cousin Casey having credible claims to being just as good as the favourite. Indeed, stats-focused Sporting Post refers to the race as “a vintage renewal”, which means the overall quality of the field is much higher than usual.

Also needing to be reckoned with are three classy raiders from the Highveld. Mike de Kock’s pair, Union Square and Shoemaker, who formed the Exacta in the recent Dingaans at Turffontein, are quite capable of
upsetting the Cape Town applecart – as is highly rated Anfield’s Rocket from Grant Maroun’s stable.

Any of Brett Crawford’s trio, At My Command, Port Louis and Le Morne, could also provide a shock in the R2-million thriller.

Also on the bumper 11-race card are the Ridgemont Highlands Peninsular Handicap, the Hollywoodbets Victress Stakes, the Commonwealth Plate and the Summer Coronation Plate – making for a day that should attract a good crowd to the revamped Kenilworth racecourse.

A likely R6-million Pick 6 pool adds further lustre. Many punters will make Charles Dickens a banker in their permutations, and if he gets beat there’ll be a few newly minted people around.

Selection (Race 8)

11 Charles Dickens, 7 Shoemaker, 1 At My Command, 14 Cousin
Casey