Saturday’s Gr2 World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes, one of three graded features on the Kenilworth card, has been by some outstanding horses over the years, notably triple Horse Of The Year Pocket Power (Jet Master) –who triumphed in the 1600m contest on three occasions.

This year the race looks sure to be won by another top class performer. While just eight runners line up to contest the 2016 Green Point Stakes, half are Gr1 winners, with two having picked up Equus Awards last season.

Reigning Horse Of The Year Legal Eagle (Greys Inn) looks a hard nut to crack in Saturday’s race. The defending Gr1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner made a smashing return to the track, after a nearly seven month lay-off, to fly up late for third over 1160m, when beaten under two and a half lengths by subsequent Gr2 The Citizen Merchants winner Trip To Heaven (Trippi).
The highest rated runner in the race, Legal Eagle (who is unbeaten in three starts over 1600m) is from the red hot Sean Tarry yard, who have already claimed a major prize in the Cape this season, and he looks mighty hard to oppose.

Last season’s Equus Champion 3YO Colt/Gelding Marinaresco (Silvano) looks the one likely to give the favourite most to do. A desperately unlucky loser of the Gr1 Vodacom Durban July and impressive (and fitting) winner of the Gr1 Mike And Carol Bass Champions Cup last season, Marinaresco also impressed when making his comeback over a trip short of his best. While he may be looking for more ground than the 1600m trip of Saturday’s race, Marinaresco is a superb athlete whose class may well carry him through.

Captain America (Captain Al) won this race last year, when he beat Futura (Dynasty) by half a length. The former Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes winner is a class act, who has banked more than R3 000 000 in prize money. From the in-form Brett Crawford yard, whose runners have been firing on all cylinders this season thus far, Captain America is a dangerous horse to overlook. His stable mate Sail South (Sail From Seattle) impressed when romping home to victory in a pinnacle stakes but has more to do here.

One of three Gauteng visitors in the race, New Predator (New Approach) is a high class performer who was a good winner of the recent Gr2 Peermont Emperors Palace Charity Mile over 1600m. The form of that win has not been franked however,and last season’s Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes winner looks held (on past form) by Legal Eagle.

Last season’s Triple Crown winner Abashiri (Go Deputy) appears to need more ground and faces an acid task on his first Cape appearance, while last season’s Gr2 Canon Guineas winner Black Arthur (Silvano) was most disappointing when making his comeback run –he was beaten more than 6 lengths by Sail South and must improve to threaten the top fancies.

Marinaresco’s stable mate Helderberg Blue (Jet Master) needs more ground and looks well held here.