Favored Act of War Captures 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 1.2 million rand (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 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 than last year's victor, Elusive Gold.

 

Ramsden and the Joostes dominated racing at Kenilworth on Saturday. Horses from the Ramsden yard won five on the 10-race card, while horses owned by the Joostes won a total of six races.

 

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

 

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. He 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 a leading contender for the prestigious J&B Met (SAf-I) Jan. 31 at Kenilworth.