Ramden's Favored Act of War Wins Cape Guineas

 

Brilliant 3-year-old Act of War justified his status as longtime favorite for the Grand Parade Cape Guineas (SAf-I) when scoring an authoritative win Dec. 20 at Kenilworth.

 

A son of South Africa's current leading sire Dynasty, Act of War took his record to six wins from seven outings and increased his earnings to over R1.2 million (US$103,676).

 

The colt also provided trainer Joey Ramsden and owners Markus and Ingrid Jooste with a second win in the Guineas after previously capturing the 2011 edition with champion Variety Club. The Ramsden yard also sent out this year's third-place finisher, Kingvoldt.

 

Act of War, who had been an impressive winner of the Guineas prep, the Nov. 22 Selangor Cup (SAf-II) at Kenilworth, was sent off the 13-20 favorite, ahead of last season's champion 2-year-old male Harry's Son (6-1) and the previously undefeated colt Zambezi River (8-1). 

 

The 16-1 shot Light the Lights made the early running in the 1,600-meter (about one-mile) classic, with Brutal Force (a stablemate of the eventual winner), Captain Alfredo, Harry's Son, and Act of War in closest pursuit in the 14-horse field.

 

Entering the straight, the front-runner was immediately challenged by Harry's Son and Kingvoldt, with Zambezi River making a little ground toward the inside. However, Act of War was still traveling well within himself and hit the front with 150 meters to run to secure the victory under Bernard Fayd'Herbe.

 

Act of War eventually drew clear to register a 1 3/4-length win, with Australian-bred Harry's Son and Kingvoldt finishing second and third, respectively. 

 

The winner completed the turf race 1:39.22, a time half a second slower set by last year's winner Elusive Gold.

 

Ramsden and the Joostes dominated racing at Kenilworth on Saturday. Horses from the Ramsden yard won no fewer than five races on the weekend's 10-race card, while horses owned by Markus and Ingrid won a total of six races Saturday.

 

Markus Jooste was unable to attend the Guineas meeting as he was recovering from surgery in hospital.

 

Bred at the now defunct Arc-En-Ciel Stud in Wellington, Act of War was a R550 000 ($60,720) purchase from his breeder's consignment at the 2013 Cape premier yearling sale. Jooste's Mayfair Speculators signed the ticket.

 

Act of War's sire, Dynasty stands at the Beck family's Highlands Farm Stud in Robertson, South Africa, and has is represented by seven group I winners, including South Africa's reigning Horse of the Year Legislate.

 

Out of the Cordoba mare Si Senorita, Act of War is a half brother to group III winner Subastador and stakes winner Luna de Victoria.

 

Act of War, whose win in Saturday's race stamped him as South Africa's top 3-year-old colt, is currently one leading contenders for the prestigious J&B Met (SAf-I) Jan. 31 at Kenilworth.