Another Cape Guineas winner for trainer Dean Kannemeyer will send him into seventh heaven

The Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas takes centre stage this Saturday at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, where a top-class field will offer an exhilarating contest steeped in rich tradition and history.

Over the decades, the Cape Guineas has served as a launchpad for numerous champions, each horse contributing its own chapter to the event’s rich honour roll.

Among the distinguished trainers participating this year are Dean Kannemeyer and Vaughan Marshall, who have each celebrated success in this classic race six times. Marshall, a neighbour of Kannemeyer in Milnerton, aims to build on last year’s win with One Stripe. This time, he fields Vapour Trail, an Erik the Red colt, with jockey Gavin Lerena aboard.

Although Vapour Trail may not be the front-line contender, he remains a worthy competitor capable of defying the odds with a strong finish.

The betting market paints an exciting picture, suggesting that joint favourites Jan van Goyen and Gimmie Rules will leverage their advantageous inside gate draws to dominate the race.

Both colts, recognised as high-class contenders, are poised to engage in a fierce showdown over the challenging 1600m stretch of track.

Trained by Kannemeyer, Gimmie Rules heads into the race with impressive form, having secured three wins in his last four outings. His jockey, the skilled Craig Zackey, typically rides from a conservative position before unleashing a strong finishing burst, making him a potent threat in the battle for victory.

Competing against him is Jan van Goyen, a Master of My Fate colt who leads the charge from renowned trainer Mike de Kock. With a solid performance history comprising three wins and two second places in his last five races, Jan van Goyen presents formidable opposition and must be in contention for the title.

Adding another layer of intrigue, champion trainer Justin Snaith has entered five runners in this year’s Guineas. He is keen to reverse the disappointment of last Saturday’s near misses, which saw his horses finish second on seven occasions.

Snaith’s best chance at glory is likely Happy Verse, the Vercingetorix colt, who Aldo Domeyer will pilot. Despite finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Race Coast Cape Punters Cup last month, Happy Verse displayed promising form that could see him rise in the ranks.

Another notable entry from Snaith, Randolph Hearst, who finished closely behind in that same race, showcased his competitive spirit by making strides from last place and may well seize a better opportunity this time around.

As the day of the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas unfolds, fans and punters alike are brimming with excitement, eagerly awaiting the showdown of these elite competitors.

With history, prestige, and the promise of thrilling racing action, this classic, with a remarkable prize purse of R2 million, is out to prove yet again why it is one of the highlights of South Africa’s horse racing calendar.