Lucky Fish Cape Derby - The First Entries Are In!
Image: Chase Liebenberg
Nine entries were received on Monday for the 2026 renewal of the R1,5 million Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby to be run at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday, 28 February.
Reigning SA champion trainer Justin Snaith holds four of the nine entries, including the Grade Cartier Paddock Stakes winner WISH LIST, who bids to follow in the golden hoofprints of Decoration (1929), Windlass (1930), Anthea (1935) Fringilla (1936), Green Lass (1951), Taima Bluff (1980) and Dog Wood (1999) as fairer sex gallopers to win the timeless classic.
She is said to be the choice of high-riding Andrew Fortune, whose only previous Cape Derby success dates back to Shah’s Star in 1997.
Snaith has five Derby trophies in his office, including 2025 winner Eight On Eighteen and dating all the way back to Russian Sage in 2008.
R1 500 000 2000m
LUCKY FISH CAPE DERBY (Grade 1)
For 3-year-olds
No Apprentice / Female Sex Allowance
| HORSE | ODDS | TRAINER |
| HAPPY VERSE | 9 / 4 | Justin Snaith |
| NOTE TO SELF | 28 / 10 | Justin Snaith |
| WISH LIST | 3 / 1 | Justin Snaith |
| STAR MAJOR | 9 / 2 | James Crawford |
| BETTER MAN | 25 / 2 | Vaughan Marshall |
| PAY THE PALACE | 20 / 1 | Piet / Elbert Steyn |
| VIVA'S LIBERTE | 20 / 1 | Candice Bass |
| IGNITE THE FIRE | 25 / 1 | Patrick Kruyer |
| UNITED FRONT | 25 / 1 | Vaughan Marshall |
Vaughan Marshall won the Cape Derby in the 21st century with Linebacker in 2021 and Top Seller in 2011 and has two entries in recent Grade 3 HKJC World Politician Stakes placer BETTER MAN and the 83-rated UNITED FRONT.
Candice Bass has entered the promising, albeit recently slightly disappointing Viva’s Liberte, for Khaya Stables who won the Cape Derby with Dean Kannemeyer in 2024 (Green With Envy) and Capetown Noir (2013). While her Dad Mike saddled Floatyourboat win the 2006 renewal, Candice is still looking for her first success in the race.
Her Milnerton neighbour Paddy Kruyer is enjoying a revival season of some proportions, with his nine winners from 39 runners this term giving him a win strike-rate of 23,1 %, the highest in the land!
Paddy saddles IGNITE THE FIRE, a two-time winning son of Fire Away, who could make his maiden foray into feature company if he should take his place here.
Piet and Elbert Steyn will be looking for a bigger effort from their Grade 3 HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes fourth-placer PAY THE PALACE.
James Crawford has the Grade 3 HKJC World Pool Politician Stakes winner STAR MAJOR entered. James’ Dad Brett won the Derby with Edict Of Nantes (2017) and Jackson (2012). With a glittering honour roll that boasts stallions, Equus Champions, and some giants of the SA turf, including household names of the ilk of Colorado King, Sea Cottage, Mazarin, Politician, and more recently champions like Dynasty, Jay Peg, Capetown Noir, Legislate and Golden Ducat, the Grade 1 Lucky Fish Cape Derby is the final Grade 1 contest of the Cape Summer Festival Of Racing and is set to continue a proud tradition dating back over a century, when the race was first run over 1800m as the Western Province Derby.