Hluhluwe is a small town in northern KwaZulu-Natal situated on the Elephant Coast. Although relatively undeveloped, it has become of growing interest to international tourists and travellers.
And this area, known for its national parks, natural diversity and cultural heritage, is sure to attract even more interest as the Justin Snaith-trained colt of the same name looks to justify favouritism in this year’s renewal of the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Race 8).
This prestigious three-year-old Classic, widely regarded as a stallion-making race – and won in the recent past by active sires Soqrat (2018), William Longsword (2016), Act Of War (2014), Capetown Noir (2012) – is the highlight of the 10-race card at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday 16 December, which also includes the Grade 3 Victress Stakes and Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap.
Snaith, whose Cape Guineas victory with Double Superlative in 2021 came 11 years after Solo Traveller’s heroics, saddles a strong coupling in the 2023 edition in his bid to win the race for a third time, with Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup runner-up Snow Pilot lining up alongside stablemate Hluhluwe, who won that aforementioned ‘Guineas trial’ over the same course and distance three weeks ago.
On that occasion, Snaith’s charge was drawn widest of the 10-horse field so was switched off and dropped out to last by jockey Grant van Niekerk. However, he turned it on smartly after turning into the straight and weaved his way through rivals before running on to get the better of Snow Pilot, Green With Envy (third), Grade 3 Cape Classic winner Questioning (fourth), beaten odds-on favourite Tail Of The Comet (fifth), as well as Zoomie (sixth), all of whom renew rivalry in Saturday’s Grade 1 spectacle.
There is, on the evidence of that victory, little reason to believe that any of that quintet of rivals can turn the tables on Hluhluwe who, as a son of Trippi, is good value to follow up the success of Charles Dickens in this race 12 months ago and provide Drakenstein Stud’s resident sire a second Cape Guineas win in as many years.
Candice Bass-Robinson saddles a three-pronged attack in the race with each of her runners somewhat an unknown quantity.
Both Jerusalema Rain and Captain Arrow are smart sprinters but are untried over 1600m, while Red Palace – the only filly in the race – takes on male rivals for the first time after she was withdrawn at the start in the Cape Fillies Guineas recently.
They all have their work cut out for them in the Cape Guineas which is tailor-made for Van Niekerk, Snaith and Hluhluwe, whose five re-opposing Cape Punters Cup victims look most likely to chase him home.
Snaith teamed up with Piere Strydom to land a 50-1 knockout blow in last year’s Peninsula Handicap with Nexus but none of his five runners in this year’s race (Race 7) is likely to start at such a big price.
Both Triple Time and Pacaya are better than their most recent starts suggest and remain capable of bouncing back to form in the 1800m contest, while recent Listed Algoa Cup winner Future Swing and highly touted Rockpool line up in good order (form and fitness) with sound each-way claims.
Sachdev, however, despite his last-start success over this trip, could jump the longest-priced of the Snaith-trained quintet, owing to a No 15 starting stall, and it could pay to take a chance on the Silvano gelding who will again be partnered by Louie Mxothwa.
Veteran seven-year-old Sachdev seems to run his best races when produced from off the pace, so his wide gate could prove a blessing in disguise – he ran on from near last at odds of 14-1 to beat Sugar Mountain (0.5kg better off) and Ponte Pietra (2kg better off) over 1800m at Hollywoodbets Durbanville four weeks ago.
Given the revised weight terms and his wide draw, Sachdev is likely to be ignored in the betting exchanges so could represent each-way value, which should not be overlooked.
The Grade 3 Victress Stakes (Race 6) is a hotly contested 1800m fillies’ and mares’ feature in which it could pay to follow the progress of Brett Crawford-trained Canford Cliffs filly Enemy Territory.
This lightly raced Irish-bred four-year-old has made giant strides since racing beyond sprint distances, winning each of her three outings this season over 1400m (twice) and 1600m. She was most impressive in trouncing a small but quality field by 3.25 lengths over 1600m last time and although runner-up Saartjie is 6.5kg better off, is worth siding with again as the extra 200m is likely to unlock even more improvement.
Clive Robinson
