3 minute read

Durbanville is country racing at its best. Sweeping green lawns, where families like to picnic, while the kids engage in a serious game of rugby or soccer and a small grandstand from a bygone era that provides much needed shade on hot summer days.

To such a layback and relaxed venue comes the Grade 3 weight for age Matchem Stakes on Sunday. Here horseflesh worth millions will canter down past the playing children, as some of the Cape's top horses come out to stretch their legs after their annual holiday. After all one needs to ease gently into these things.

The inform Dean Kannemeyer, saddles four runners of which Splash Gold and Depardieu are best in at the weights. Splash Gold has had 7 wins from 13 starts and while unbeaten at Durbanville, he comes off a rest. The son of Goldkeeper is at his best over 1200m and may find the 1400 a bit too much if not 100% fit.

One of only two three-year olds, Depardieu had 3 starts for 2 wins as a two year old, including the Grade 3 Cape Nursery. He started his season three weeks ago in the Sophomore Sprint, but despite heavy support in the betting, he ran out of steam in the closing stages. He was clearly in need of that run and with the weights and the draw in his favour, should be hard to beat here if fit.

The other three-year old is the Joey Ramsden trained Variety Club. The son of Var is also coming off a lengthy break and Ramsden confirmed that he is not yet at his peak fitness as he is being aimed at the summer season. With the weight advantage and the seasoned Glenn Hatt on his back though, he is sure to be fighting out the finish.

Justin Snaith brings out top four-year old Run For It. The Dynasty colt had a super season as a three-year old, finishing 3rd in the Grade 1 J & B Met and 2nd in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. While he has raced over the 1400 before, he coming off a long break and is unlikely to be fighting out the finish, consider for the minor places. Interestingly he is fitted with blinkers for the first time.

An enigma is the Jet Master gelding Sports Coach, who could be anything. He has had four starts for two wins and two seconds, including a 2nd in the Grade 1 Gold Medallion. Plagued by knee chips, he had a year off and changed yards before recently returning with a fast finishing 2nd in a Graduation Plate at Kenilworth. He would have come on from that run and the jockey on that occasion, Karel Nesius has decided to stick with him.

The dark horse in race is the Piet Steyn trained Master Barry. He is on form and is unbeaten in two starts over the course and distance. It is a step up in class for the Jet Master gelding and at the weights he clearly faces a stiff task. He does however have the services of the talented Grant van Niekerk and if he employs his usual front running tactics, he may well steal the race.

So on a day where the temperatures are reported to soar into the low thirties, the Matchem is likely to be a fast run open affair, with the fittest horse on the day gracing the winner's enclosure.