Kommetdieding fought on to land a famous victory in the World Sports Betting Cape Town Met (Weight for Age) (Grade 1) over 2000m, beating off the late rally of Jet Dark (Trippi) and outstaying the persistent threat of Linebacker (Captain Of All).

The winner is a son of Elusive Fort, out of the Captain Al mare Adorable, and was bred at Klawervlei Stud. His success, following on from a sensational victory in the 2021 Durban July, caps a stellar four-year-old campaign for the Harold Crawford/Michelle Rix trained champ.

Barbara Sanne of Oldlands Stud has purchased the Adorable, whom she bred, and she has a full sister to Kommetdieding on the farm at foot.

The Peoples Horse, Kommetdieding. Image: Candiese Lenferna

Lockdown restrictions denied charismatic owner Ashwin Reynolds the pleasure of leading in his hero in Durban, but this time around he was on track with vociferous fans at Kenilworth to celebrate the moment. He was gracious and fulsome in his praise in the post-race interview. “Thank you to all Kommetdieding’s supporters and to Michelle Rix for training him and (her father) Harold for buying him.”

Rix has indeed handled her charge with aplomb – Kommetdieding is now a multiple G1 winner with six wins from just ten starts. He overcame an interrupted prep due to a minor skin infection to come out cranked up for an outstanding Met performance. Jockey Gavin Lerena, super-professional as ever, walked the course the day before, found a perfect box seat position and delivered a strategic ride when the chips were down.

Kommetdieding, a popular winner with both the Cape public and professional punters convinced he was teed up to land a rare July/Met double.

Queen’s Plate winner, Jet Dark tried hard to make up the deficit, but his late rally fell short three quarters of a length shy at the wire. Linebacker, who had moved up with intent before weakening late, was under a length back in third. Sole three-year-old, Double Superlative got underway belatedly on the outer to snare fourth, 1.7 lengths off Kommetdieding in a rousing finish to this iconic Cape feature race.

Trainer Justin Snaith has previously described Captain’s Ransom as possessing “a sports car-type engine” and she produced a scything run from the back to win the Schweppes Majorca Stakes (G1) (WFA) over 1600m. This Captain Al star filly bred by Moutonshoek has only twice been toppled in 11 career starts but with 400m to go it looked like she was in deep trouble and headed for a rare defeat. Market rival, the three-year-old, Chansonette had swept into what looked a secure lead over a game, but tiring, Princess Calla (Flower Alley).

Image: Captains Ransom / Candiese Lenferna

“This filly, wow, she’s got gears!” exclaimed Snaith afterwards. Captain’s Ransom used her frightening finishing speed to dart through a gap on the stand-side rail to mug Chansonette in the final bound. It was another precisely judged, world class ride by Richard Fourie as the field had hacked at a slow early pace and he gambled on settling her at the rear from a wide draw.

Fillies Guineas heroine, Chansonette (Vercingetorix) suffered another heart-rending defeat as she was also narrowly pipped in the G1 Paddock Stakes by the same nemesis, Captain’s Ransom. A disconsolate, but sporting trainer Andre Nel confirmed that Chansonette will now be given a well-deserved break at a farm in George, after her tough and admirable summer campaign.

Image: Bohica / Candiese Lenferna

The Pongracz Cape Flying Championships (WFA) (Grade 1) 1000m was won by  the Highveld raider, Bohica.  S’Manga Khumalo gave him a perfect ride, just edging out a charging, Mr Cobbs and African Rain in a driving finish.

Trainer Adam Azzie’s initiative in schlepping down on the long road trip from Johannesburg was richly rewarded. Connections had debated the decision over three days before committing to the extra costs -and challenge. “We’re pleased we took the chance – Bohica may be a bit in and out but on his best form we felt he could run close. S’Manga gave him a great ride, sticking to pacesetter Pleasedtomeetyou’s girth, coming off the bit late, then being so strong in the finish!” said Azzie.

Bohica is a five-year-old Capetown Noir gelding bred by Summerhill Stud. He placed second previously in a Gr1 (behind Rio Querari in the 2021 Computaform Sprint) this was his biggest win to date.

Images: Candiese Lenferna / Gold Circle

-extrac caperacing.co.za