Counts Rocket fuelled to win RA Stakes

The son of Count Dubois won the Listed Winter Juvenile Stakes over 1600m at Kenilworth in July, beating Lastbutnotleast by two lengths. It was not a strongly contested event but Counts Rocket did receive most of the betting support and kicked on well when coming under pressure.

He was rested for three months after that victory and made his return to the track in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville on 5 October. It was his first run at the track and he had to jump from barrier No 10, not a good position to be in over that distance at the track.

He was stubborn when they tried to load him and it came as no surprise when he could only manage to finish seventh, 7.25 lengths behind Capetown Noir. The winner can lay claim to being the best four-year-olds in the country so that run was no disgrace, and with further improvement expected, this three-year-old colt should be enough to see him put away a field of this nature.

JP van der Merwe has been in good form recently and has landed the task to guide Counts Rocket home.

The newly formed combination of trainer Mike Bass and jockey Grant van Niekerk appears to be working out very well. Bass’ Port Elizabeth yard is yielding quite a bit of success and he seems to have a decent sort in Top Jet.

The son of Trippi has only raced twice. He made his debut at Clairwood over 1200m and ran a three-length third behind Bezanova. Once back in Cape Town, Top Jet did not waste any time getting among the winners. Despite being carried out late in the race he accelerated well under Van Niekerk to beat Headstrong Harry by three lengths.

This will be a sterner test but he looks to have enough ability to be competitive in this line-up.

Justin Snaith saddles Cape Cutter. Stable jockey Richard Fourie has taken the ride on the Captain Al colt and they have the added benefit of jumping from No 1 draw.