Justin Snaith has used every opportunity so far this season to retain his title as Equus Champion Trainer.
The leading conditioner, based in Cape Town, has already built up a lead of R1,5-million in stakes won over his nearest rival Mike de Kock.
In South Africa, the champion trainer title is awarded to the stable master who wins the most in stakes in a single season, regardless of the number of winners.
The defending champion looks set to sign off 2023 with a five-timer at the last Cape Town racemeeting of the year, a nine-race event on Saturday 30 December at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth.
Snaith holds a strong hand with three runners in Race 2, a Progress Plate 1400m, and will be confident as he saddles the two best-weighted entrants.
We’re Jamming is, on official ratings, weighted to win this Class A event but has run his best races up the straight. Stablemate Itsrainingwilliam, however, has strong recent form over the course and distance.
He was a fast-finishing third to Silver Operator in a hotly contested event last time out and a repeat of that performance should see this son of William Longsword visit the revamped winner’s enclosure for the first time since his Grade 3 Legal Eagle Stakes success back in May.
Vercingetorix colt The Grey King got his career back on track when improving for the step up to 1400m by shedding his maiden tag 24 days ago. He returns to the scene of that victory in Race 3 and Snaith’s charge is good value to follow up under Grant van Niekerk.
A solid case can be made for any number of the 16 runners engaged in Race 5, with no less than four last-start winners (including Snaith’s Inamorare) and several other consistent sorts.
However, it could pay to follow the progress of the stable’s Lancaster Bomber colt Yamadori who is expected to improve for the step up to 1400m. He is also 1kg better off with last-start conqueror King Of The Gauls for a 1.10-length beating in a recent clash over 1200m.
Lancaster Bomber sired the winners of both the Cape Guineas (Snow Pilot) and the Cape Fillies Guineas (Beach Bomb), so the extra 200m ought to suit Yamadori, who Van Niekerk will ride once more.
In four starts this term, William West has racked up a win and two seconds, as well as a third-place finish, and that consistency ought to be rewarded in the following contest.
This three-year-old William Longsword gelding has registered a win and a second in two starts under Van Niekerk, so it’s no surprise that Snaith’s stable jockey resumes his partnership aboard the in-form William West in Race 6.
The Snaith outfit is double-handed in Race 9 but will probably rely on Greenland delivering the goods over 1800m. This well-bred Gimmethegreelight colt – who is closely related to multiple Grade 1 winner/champion Celtic Sea – was heavily backed when a fast-finishing second, with blinkers fitted for the first time, in his last start over 1600m and, on the evidence of that display should have more to offer over extra 200m. He is one of the better bets on the card and ought to provide Snaith and his supporters a winning end to racing in the Cape for 2023.
In the card opener, Highveld raider Amber Rock is probably the horse to beat judged on form and experience, despite finishing behind the Snaith-trained newcomer Kaapse Hoop, who was ridden by Grant van Niekerk, on debut earlier this month.
It is worth noting that Snaith’s stable jockey rides well-bred first-timer Peregrine Falcon, so the betting market might be the best guide here.
Clive Robinson
