Thrilling sprint action headlines Cape card

Jack Milner

Three runners with graded race form, will line up in a Conditions Plate over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Wednesday and it should be a thriller.

Two of the country’s leading sprinters will be joined by a talented middle distance runner in Race 5 which has been reduced to just five runners owing to three scratchings.

However, all the talent is still there and the field is headed up by Candice Bass-trained Tenango, winner of the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint at HWB Scottsville and runner-up behind Buffalo Storm Cody in the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint over 1200m at HWB Greyville.

The Canford Cliffs gelding’s winning form started around this time last year. He produced some dominant displays showing a love for Kenilworth and then went on to demonstrate he could be the best around with a smooth performance in the Golden Horse Sprint.

A wide draw did not help his chances in the Mercury Sprint but the winner is arguably the best sprinter in the land, while third-placed Asiye Phambili came back from a six-month break to frank the form by winning the Southern Cross Stakes with a massive 63.5kg on his back.

He has had a warm-up run, the stable is in top form and Aldo Domeyer will take the ride.

However, he will be coming up against Alec Laird-trained Fire Attack winner of the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m at Turffontein in April.

While his best form has come over middle distances, he does have excellent form in sprints and last time out finished a one-length second behind Buffalo Storm Cody over 1160m at Turffontein.

He will be receiving 5.5kg from Tenango and while the Grade 1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate over 1600m on 10 January is his main goal, a win in this race would come as no surprise. Calvin Habib knows him well and he retains the ride.

Sean Tarry-trained 2024 Golden Horse winner Lucky Lad, who has an amazing turn of foot on his day, is another using this as a stepping-stone and no doubt he will be aimed at the Grade 1 Cape Flying Championship over 1000m on Cape Met day.

Richard Fourie takes the ride.

However, all three would prefer this to be a 1200m event and that opens the door for the other two runners, speedy Elusive Winter, who will have just 52kg on his back courtesy of a 4kg apprentice allowance, and Kaiboy, stablemate to Tarango.

Jack Milner’s selections

Race 1: 5 Rachettu, 3 Joueur De Flute, 8 Final Call, 4 Casino King

Race 2: 8 Fantine, 7 Gqeberha, 4 Autumn Rush, 1 Redlight Lane

Race 3: 7 Cutie Patootie, 1 Vixens War, 2 Aurelian, 3 Vivo Per Lei

Race 4: 3 In Motion, 6 Spanish Verse, 7 Honorine's Gimmie, 4 Time Honored

Race 5: 3 Tenango, 1 Fire Attack, 7 Lucky Lad, 2 Elusive Winter

Race 6: 9 Palace Gift, 7 Playing Trix, 2 Rattlesnake, 6 Catch A Penny

Race 7: 4 Devil A Saint, 7 The Night Ferry, 2 Avignon, 5 Mela Strength

Race 8: 7 Greek Heiress, 6 Burning Desire, 2 Silver Salute, 11 South Of France

BEST BET

Race 4: 3 In Motion

VALUE BET

Race 6: 9 Palace Gift

BEST SWINGER

Race 1 3x5

BIPOT                          

R48

Leg 1: 3, 5

Leg 2: 8

Leg 3: 1, 2, 7

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 1, 3

Leg 6: 2, 6, 7, 9

PLACE ACCUMULATOR

R81

Leg 1: 8

Leg 2: 2, 7

Leg 3: 3

Leg 4: 3

Leg 5: 2, 7, 9

Leg 6: 2, 4, 7

Leg 7: 2, 6, 7

PICK 6

R1536

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7

Leg 2: 3

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 7

Leg 4: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 5: 2, 6, 7, 9

Leg 6: 2, 3, 6, 7

JACKPOT 1

R96

Leg 1: 3

Leg 2: 1, 2, 3, 7

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 4: 2, 6, 7, 9

JACKPOT 2

R384

Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 7

Leg 2: 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Leg 3: 2, 6, 7, 9

Leg 4: 2, 3, 6, 7