Cape Kidnappers ready to steal the summer spotlight from rivals

THE summer version of Cape Kidnappers is a vastly superior commodity to the one which won two races in three starts off a 14-month break during the winter.

Jockey Ric McMahon says Cape Kidnappers is one of the toughest horses in racing. Picture: Peter Wallis

THE summer 2013 version of Cape Kidnappers is a vastly superior commodity to the one which won two races in three starts off a 14-month break during the winter.

That's the verdict of jockey Ric McMahon, who puts his unbeaten record on the injury-plagued gelding on the line in today's Group 3 George Moore Stakes.

Despite having his first run in stakes grade, Cape Kidnappers has easily been the best runner this week, with the anticipation he will sit off the hot tempo and then let down with a brilliant turn of foot on the limit weight.

Going on the unlikely first-up win when McMahon struck terrible traffic problems in the straight, the jockey thinks he's up to it.

"He's definitely a better horse this preparation," he said.

"At Ipswich, when I had my first race ride on him, he was coming off a long lay-off and was nowhere near his peak.

"This time in first up he was a completely different horse. He showed a brilliant turn of foot, even though he had the big weight and was stopped in his tracks in the straight.

"He's used to carrying big weights, so I'm sure he's going to give a big kick getting into this race on the limit."

Ric McMahon gives Cape Kidnappers a pat after winning at Doomben. Picture: Peter Wallis

McMahon is in a better position than most to gauge Cape Kidnappers' rivals, having beaten quite a few of them when partnering Better Than Ready a fortnight ago.

"I think Benny's Buttons is going to be hard to beat based on his run the other day," he said.

"He did get over and have a breather in the middle stages, but when I got to him, he gave quite a strong kick.

"Admittedly, my bloke had a lot of weight, but it was still a good effort and he's drawn to get a nice run here.

"It's hard to line Cape Kidnappers up with Better Than Ready, but everything Kelly has put him in, he's run super. His record says it all - seven wins and three seconds in 10 starts.

"He's the one in the race that is still on the up, whereas a few of the others have some convictions now."

McMahon laughed off suggestions Cape Kidnappers might not be tough enough to mix it with the seasoned sprinters today.

"He's one of the toughest horses going around. For the amount of injuries he's had, it speaks volumes for how tough he is," he said.

"If you want to clutch at straws like that, then you might say he's yet to prove his ability at this level, but don't knock him on toughness."