South Africa Racing – Snaith sets sights on more Fillies Guineas glory

Trainer Justin Snaith (Credits to Snaith Racing)

Clive Robertson

Stars will align and a new champion will be crowned at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday with the Grade 1 Cape Fillies Guineas (Race 8) headlining a star-studded nine-race card that also includes a Grade 3 staying race and a pair of Grade 2 contests.

Justin Snaith has dominated the prestigious and sought-after fairer sex Classic in recent years, winning six of the last 15 renewals, and his stranglehold on the race is unlikely to be loosened – for another year, at least – with race favourite Ciao Bella likely to land the spoils.

A daughter of former Grade 1-winning stable stars Gimmethegreenlight and Bela-Bela, this striking grey filly is destined for the top. And with three wins from five starts and a Grade 2 success already under her belt, Ciao Bella has quickly gone about what she was bred to do.

She was an impressive winner of the Western Cape Fillies Championship over 1400m last time out and is likely to be even better suited to 1600m on the summer course with its longer run-in, which makes her almost impossible to oppose.

Time Fo Orchids, Gimme’s Lassie and Golden Hostess filled the minor positions (in that order) behind Ciao Bella in that 1400m Grade 2 three weeks ago, and ought to pose a threat once more.

The 1600m Grade 2 Green Point Stakes, run over the same course and distance as the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, has attracted a stellar line-up of 11 runners including five Grade 1 winners headed by Jet Dark, who was edged out in last season’s race for Horse Of The Year accolade by stablemate Captain’s Ransom.

The five-year-old Snaith-trained entire, who made a winning comeback over this distance on the winter course four weeks back, renews rivalry with fellow fan-favourite Kommetdieding who also made an encouraging seasonal reappearance over 1200m, a trip short of his best.

Both would’ve tightened up with and blown away the cobwebs with those outings, so with improved fitness on their side are expected to fight out the finish. Swinger and Exacta bets are the way to go in Race 7 in what is a must-watch prelude to January’s King’s Plate.

Crome Yellow is an attractive betting proposition in Race 5, the Grade 3 Cape Summer Stayers over 2500m. Andre Nel’s charge was second in this race in 2019 but has bettered that finishing position in the last two renewals and would have been aimed at another successful defence of this title. this eight-year-old veteran should represent generous eachway value in a competitive line-up.

 

Melissa
Author: Melissa