Double Superlative

Eleven runners will go to post for the R1 million Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby to be run over 2 000m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Photo: Chase Liebenberg

Horseracing latest results: Double Superlative wins Cape Guineas

Trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Anton Marcus joined forces at Kenilworth on Saturday to win the R750 000 Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

Double Superlative

Eleven runners will go to post for the R1 million Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Cape Derby to be run over 2 000m at Kenilworth on Saturday. Photo: Chase Liebenberg

Trainer Justin Snaith is deeply fulfilled and feels vindicated too, after highly regarded Double Superlative powered past pacesetting, stable-mate Pomp and Power to score a momentous triumph in the Cape Guineas (Grade 1) over 1 600m at Kenilworth on Saturday. 

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The action was towards the stand side rail with Double Superlative, a colt sired by Twice Over, eventually outduelling his resolute companion in deep stretch and winning going away by just over a length. The runner up emerged with credit too – he’d used up plenty of energy to get across from draw 14.

Cosmic Highway and Zapatillas made belated progress towards the inside from 10 lengths off the pace to fill the places, but, as it turned out, they were positioned too far back to really threaten Snaith’s super-fit duo.

They clocked in two and a half lengths back for the third and fourth spots, whilst 100/1 longshot Never Ending Rain closed ground late to slot in fifth, in an encouraging Derby build-up.

Double Superlative has drawn comparisons with a Durban July hero

Double Superlative has now won two of five starts and seems poised to enjoy a stellar career with trainer Snaith drawing physical conformation comparisons with twice successful Durban July hero, Do It Again, one of the elite thoroughbreds in modern SA racing.

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Snaith was lavish in his praise afterwards.

“Double Superlative is the only three-year-old I’ve put in the nominations for the Queen’s Plate and Met. He looks just like Do It Again and I really rate him as a high-class individual.”

The winning rider was Anton Marcus.

“Double Superlative is a lovely horse that does everything right. The early pace was reasonable; my horse was quite aggressive in the prelims, so I used his gate speed to get a good position. It’s a privilege to win the Guineas – I actually haven’t won this for a long time,” Marcus said gratefully during a post-race interview.

The Cape Guineas has an enviable reputation for only ever being won by top horses, but also is often a particularly rough race.

Unfortunately, that was again the case with some tough beat stories in the aftermath – both Trip of Fortune and Universal were victims of serious scrimmaging when making challenging bids on the outside. Once blocked at a critical stage, their chances quickly dissipated.

Jono Snaith (left), Double Superlative, Nic Jonsson. Photo: Chase Liebenberg

Meanwhile, earlier in the day in Race 6, Firealley used stalk and pounce tactics on a fast-running track to stay out of trouble and score an authoritative win in the Peninsula Handicap (Grade 2) at a trip of 1 800m.

The son of Floweralley is best pressing the pace and got an ideal tracking set up as Rockin Ringo took the lead. The pacemaker kept on gamely but could not resist Firealley’s finish, who took advantage under 52.5kg, at a starting price of 7/1.

Favourite backers were relieved that short-priced banker Marina scraped in by a short head over Rain In Newmarket in a pulsating finish to the Victress Stakes (Grade 3) over 1 800m.

Jockey Aldo Domeyer who switched his stick at just the right moment and rousted his mount when she looked sunk with only 50m to go, praised her resolute spirit.

“She has such a big heart and is so gutsy.”

Candice Bass-Robinson confirmed that this sister of Durban July victor Marinaresco will target the Paddock Stakes next.

Thereafter, the Met could also be on the radar.

“This was great win, especially as they did not go a strong pace. She needs further and a true run race to be at her best.”

The in-form Bass-Robinson, who also trained Firealley, savoured the result of the Need for Speed Sprint as well, when her entry Barzalona shot through to win convincingly. The grey, Intrepid tried to make inroads but Barzalona, one of the better juveniles of last term, had too much in reserve in receipt of four kilograms.

Earlier, the well performed Bereave, (so narrowly thwarted in the Cape Merchants a month ago,) took out the Listed South Easter Sprint over 1 100m after sweeping by Pleasedtomeetyou, with Resonate coming on late for the lower trifecta number.

Winning rider, Craig Zackey commented that he felt it best to let Bereave use his long stride and race handier than previously – tactics that paid dividends for Adam Marcus’ progressive charge. Bereave has a bright future when stepped up to even higher league contests as the Cape Summer season unfolds.