There will be massive horse racing action on the schedule in South Africa this weekend, as Kenilworth Racecourse hosts the prestigious G1 Cape Metropolitan Stakes.
It is one of the most lucrative races on the calendar, with a huge purse of R5 million up for grabs. Some of the biggest legends in South African racing have won the race, but which horse will add their name to the roll of honour in Cape Town on Saturday?
Event Information & Records
The Cape Town Met is one of the three big races to be staged in South Africa annually, with the other notable races including the Summer Cup and Vodacom Durban July. This weekend’s race is staged over 2,000 metres, and it was first staged in 1883 as the Met Mile.
There have been some legendary recent winners of the race, including Kommetdieding, who landed victory in the race 12 months ago for trainer H W Crawford & M Rix. Mike Bass is one of the most successful trainers in recent history, having claimed four straight wins between 2007 and 2010. Pocket Power is one of the most famous winners of the race, having landed three victories between 2007 and 2009.
Latest Odds
The Cape Town Met is one of the most popular betting events of the year, and BetXchange are offering a number of unique promotions. Among those include a price match guarantee and a runner-up refund.
See It Again is a very strong favourite for victory this weekend, with the selection available at 9/20. Pacaya is priced up at 8/1, with the majority of other runners available at bigger prices. Among those include Royal Aussie and Mucho Dinero at 12/1.
Leading Contenders
See It Again
The betting highlights that See It Again is the leading contender to consider this weekend for trainer Mike Roberts. The four-year-old was a close second on his return to action at the start of January when finishing two lengths behind Charles Dickens in the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate.
He is yet to finish outside of the first two in five starts in stakes company, and his wins over a mile and two by just under a length in the G1 Daily News 2000 remains the standout form on show this weekend.
Pacaya
Pacaya is the second choice in the betting this weekend, but a response will be required after finishing 14th of 18 in the G1 Durban July last year.
Prior to that effort, he was an excellent winner over a mile at Kenilworth, beating Quasiforsure by a short head in the Jet Master Stakes. There is certainly value in his price this weekend, and the five-year-old deserves plenty of respect.
Mucho Dinero
One of the runners that we really like this weekend is Mucho Dinero. The four-year-old for trainer Justin Snaith comes into the weekend in excellent recent form after winning on each of his last four starts.
He was excellent at the start of January when making a winning return to form by beating At My Command by a head. This progressive contender is certainly among the likely contenders on Saturday.
Cape Town Met 2024 Prediction
See It Again is certainly the horse to beat this weekend, and he holds all the claims based on the official ratings. He is the most likely winner this weekend, but Mucho Dinero could offer value if you’re looking for a bigger-priced selection.
