MET MOUNT. Piere Strydom has confirmed the ride on 4-1 joint-favourite Last Winter for the Sun Met over 2000m at Kenilworth on Saturday 26 January.
The two Cape Thoroughbred Sales races on Sun Met day might not have the cachet of the card’s Grade 1 events, but they have the cash – with prize money of R5 million apiece.
The CTS 1600, Race 5 on the programme, is graced by the presence of One World, an emerging star of the Western Cape turf.
Trainer Vaughan Marshall’s colt was priced up as the favourite despite disappointing favourite backers with a third-placed finish behind Soqrat in the Cape Guineas in mid-December.
That was the first defeat for this son of Captain Al, following five wins in a row that had pundits seeking superlatives.
In the Guineas One World was given every chance by Anton Marcus but failed to match the finishing speed of Soqrat and second-placed Twist Of Fate.
However, he was less than two lengths off an impressive winner and his merit rating has remained unchanged at a lo y 117.
All horses have off days and One World’s record, including a course-and-distance feature race victory, suggests he can bounce back and deliver the R2.5-million winning cheque to his owners.
His No 11 draw at the 1600m start might concern some, but Marcus is the best man to negate any disadvantage by getting the colt across and into the lead, where he likes to do his galloping.
Twist Of Fate is an obvious danger in the light of that Guineas clash.
Since then, Joey Ramsden’s smart fellow has posted a smashing win over 1800m in the Politician Stakes.
This son of Master Of My Fate has hardly put a foot wrong in his young career and it would be no surprise to see him carry off the big money under S’manga Khumalo.
Sean Tarry’s Chimichuri Run is up there with the aforementioned pair.
A disappointing sixth in the Guineas introduces a smidgeon of doubt, but accomplished Lyle Hewitson will be there to coax the best out of him.
Vardy, trained by Adam Marcus, is an unexposed runner who has shown flashes of talent.
After winning two sprints with uncommon acceleration, he pulled badly in a bash at 1600m but still finished powerfully to get second place.
This son of Var goes from gate No 4 with Craig Zackey aboard.
Filly Silvano’s Pride comes in with a 106 merit rating a er a promising start to her career.
Her support team of trainer Justin Snaith and rider Richard Fourie are a factor in any feature race.
SELECTION: 1 One World, 3 Twist Of Fate, 2 Chimichuri Run, 12 Silvano’s Pride, 7 Vardy, 5 Majestic Mozart
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