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The R300 000, Group 2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m kicks off the 2013 Sizzling Summer Season at Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Saturday. It is also the last chance for seven J & B Met hopefuls to increase their chances of being in the starting line up come the 2nd of February.
Photo by Liesl King
Top weight and one of the favourites comes from the in-form stable of top trainer, Dean Kannemeyer. Kannemeyer accounted for both features on Cape Guineas Day on the 22nd of December and could also take the honours here with his four-year-old Dynasty colt Taipan.
Taipan’s connections have J & B Met aspirations and the colt’s recent easy victory in the Listed Woolavington Handicap over 2400m, proved he is quite capable at that distance. Dropping back to 1800m at his subsequent start, he was never in the race and was reported coughing afterwards.
While Kannemeyer admits that 1800m is Taipan’s minimum trip, he is confident of a good performance. Taipan will carry 60kg and jumps from barrier two under stable jockey Karl Neisius.
Joint top weight belongs to Black Wing from the stables of Brett Crawford. It is the gelding’s third start after a break and if he reproduces the form that saw him finish a narrow second behind Master Plan in the Group 1 Champions Cup (1800m) at Greyville on July 28, he is certainly in with a chance. Karis Teetan, who has the ride on Black Wing, won this race last year on the Brett Crawford trained Polar Bound.
Cape champion trainer Mike Bass sends out the Drakenstein Stud homebred Brown Penny and Hammie’s Dynasty, who is J & B Met nominated. Brown Penny, who should improve on a fifth place finish from a wide barrier draw in the Group 2 Premier Trophy (1800m) at Kenilworth on December 15, jumps from barrier three and has the services of Andrew Nienaber.
Glen Kotzen sends out the one eyed Political Playboy (AUS) and the two hard-knocking mares, Queen’s Command (AUS) and Cash Register. The lightly weighted Political Playboy (52.5kg), who reeled off three wins in succession at the start of 2012, could finish in the placings if back on form.
The other J & B Met hopefuls include Hill Fifty Four, winner of the Group 3 Algoa Cup (2000m) at Fairview on November 25, Cask, Jet Explorer and Ice Machine.
ENDS