Captain’s Ransom might have disappointed fans when unplaced in the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on Durban July day, but she looks far too good for her rivals in the Grade 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m at Durbanville on Thursday.
Last season’s Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas winner showed her class in this race last year when she flew up late to get the better of Clouds Unfold by 0.30 lengths.
Although the Justin Snaith-trained four-year-old carries 10kg more this year, she has now won two Grade 1 races and a Grade 2 event, and as a result still comes in as the best weighted runner by a decent margin.
Richard Fourie takes the ride.
Snaith has good back-up with Major Attraction who loves this distance, having won five of her seven starts over 1400m. She has triumphed in her last three starts, and although that was against much weaker opposition, the four-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix should be competitive.
She loves Durbanville and will have the services of Grant van Niekerk.
Jockey Anton Marcus and trainer Vaughan Marshall should be on the mark with Seeking The Stars in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes, also over 1400m.
He is the best-weighted runner and is hard to oppose on favourable terms. He acquitted himself creditably when last seen in the Grade 1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville but is unbeaten in three outings over 1400m, so will relish a return to his preferred trip.
A wide No 11 draw may deter some supporters, but his superior gate speed and free-striding style of running will be well suited to the country course, which has seen many runners win from the front at recent meetings.
Three-year-old Cosmic Highway, with just 52kg to carry and No 1 draw, looks the main threat.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 2 Admiralty Arch, 5 Hell Of A Duke, 3 Admiral’s Ransom, 9 Tchaikovsky