From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

The Cape Merchants is a hard- to- fathom handicap for top quality sprinters over 1200m. Bookies go 6/1 the field which shows just how open it is.

The shortlist comprises O’Tenikwa s/s 114, I am Giant s/s 109, Raven Black s/s 108, Café Culture s/s 108, Outlaw King s/s 107 and The US of A s/s 107. Check the conditions on race day to see if there is any track bias down the straight, then shop around for the best prices on Interbet’s new exchange before committing.

The Green Point Stakes run at WFA over 1600m is, by SA standards, worthy of an upgrade to Gr 1 class. It has a stellar Roll of Honour and this year’s field features seven Gr 1 victors.

The Real Prince s/s 114 gets the nod. He has run tremendous races between 1400m and 2200 (won the Durban July) and a true run mile should suit him nicely coming out fresh.

Many dangers are lurking in a deep field. Gladatorian s/s 113 beat him in the Drill Hall Stakes and Champions; Sail the Seas s/s 105+ is an emerging talent, whilst Dave the King s/s 113 and See It Again s/s 110 are established high class campaigners.

Questioning s/s 114 was mighty impressive in the Matchem and will try stretch out to a mile and deliver a similar performance. If he can replicate that last-to first romp, then he is in with a winning chance.

A horse to watch really closely for the future is Fire Attack s/s 113 +. Saturday’s contest over a mile from a wide draw probably won’t see him to best effect but he is of genuine interest for the upcoming 2026 Met. Should he run nicely here, then an each way ante-post wager for the big middle-distance Gr 1 beckons.

Gimmie Rules s/s 100+ and Jan van Goyen s/s 100 dominate the betting market for the Cape Guineas. Both are exactly on the winning standard score for this historic 3YO race and should improve past that number. Their respective trainers Dean Kannemeyer and Mike de Kock are seasoned Guineas- winning trainers, but whether you want to take fairly short prices about either of their charges winning is a personal choice.

Value seekers may prefer Justin Snaith’s trio of Randolph Hearst, Happy Verse and Roland Garros at double digit odds. They all have similar ratings in the high 90’s and should contend if improving a few ticks.

Longshot players can check out Aristocratic s/s 100 at 50/1 (who ran deceptively well in the Matchem) and Beware who got a s/s of 99+ in a surprisingly strong Class 4, at around 30/1 . Some big- priced outsiders are fool’s gold, but these two have numbers which suggest they could hit the board if things go their way in what is often a rough, toughly contested race.

Zeitz s/s 107, Regulation s/s 105 + and Major Master s/s 103 are the ones to focus on in the Peninsula. The first named let the side down last time and blinkers have been removed by trainer Andre Nel. If the grey Vercingetorix runs back to his Cup Trial or Thekwini form, then he could be hard to handle off his current official handicap mark.

Regulation destroyed the oppo at his most recent course and distance start, running a career top figure carrying 58kg’s. He now drops to 53kg’s and is a serious threat now that his breathing issues have seemingly been cleared. He has been heavily punted ante-post.

Major Master was most impressive coming from behind Tenpenny and dashing past him just ten days ago over 1500m. If 1800m proves his game, then he could give it a serious shake.

Finally, in Race 9, Marcus Aurelius s/s 99 and Yamakazi s/s 98 are taken against the field in a Class 4 over 1600m. Gavin Lerena rides the former again after producing a fast come home sectional in an admittedly weaker race, whilst a good showing by Beware in the Cape Guineas would enhance confidence in 10/1 Yamakazi’s chances as he was only 1.5 lengths off that rival at level weights a month ago.