Noah From Goa Wins Cape Guineas

Noah From Goa, trained by Mike de Kock, upset heavily favored filly Silver Mountain to land the Grand Parade Cape Guineas (SAf-I) Dec. 19 at Kenilworth.

 

The Tiger Ridge gelding, who had won four of his five previous outings, gave his champion trainer his first Cape Guineas win in 12 years following Domino Man's victory in 2003. 

 

Brilliant filly Silver Mountain, bidding to become the first female winner of the Cape classic since 1993, was installed the 8-10 favorite for the first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown ahead of 5-1 chance Noah From Goa and Golden Horseshoe (SAf-I) runner up and 8-1 shot Brazuca. 

 

There was a brief delay to the R1 million race when longshot Eighth Wonder broke through the starting gate. Another outsider, Liege, played up badly before the start, which saw the Guineas delayed a few minutes.

 

When the 16 horse field finally broke, it was recent R2.5 million Lanzerac Ready To Run Stakes winner Budapest who made the early running, with Selangor Cup (SAf-II) winner Hard Day's Night right up there with Noah From Goa and Eighth Wonder. At the top of the straight Hard Day's Night went up to take up the running, from Noah From Goa and recent  Cape Fillies Guineas (SAf-I) winner Silver Mountain just off the pace.

 

Noah From Goa, superbly ridden by former champion jockey Anthony Delpech, hit the front with 200 meters left to run, and while the favorite chased gamely, the winner was always holding Silver Mountain. Eventually it was Teofilo's son Brazuca who flew up late for second with Nassa back in third, just a head away from Silver Mountain.

 

Noah From Goa prevailed by three-quarters of a length from Brazuca with Nassa a head away in third. The winner and third-place finisher were bred by Wilgerbosdrift.

 

Now a five time winner from six outings, Noah From Goa is owned by his breeder in partnership with de Kock, Gary Grant, Chris Haynes, Gary Westwater, Noelene Malherbe, and Dr. and Mrs. McVeigh. 

 

Winning jockey Anthony Delpech was overjoyed with his win, commenting, "He does not know when to lie down. He is a great horse with a big heart."

 

Assistant trainer Mathew de Kock stood in for his father, who was in Dubai.

 

Noah From Goa, whose previous wins included the Investec Dingaans (SAf-II), has now won just over R1 million in prize money. His dam is the stakes-winning Fort Wood mare Limerick. This is the same family as 2013 Caulfield Cup (Aus-I) winner Fawkner.