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2012 is likely to end on a high note at the Kenilworth Racecourse in Cape Town on Saturday, when the reigning Sprint Champion, What A Winter, takes on a field of seven in the R300 000, Group 2 Diadem Stakes over the 1200m straight turf course.

It is a day that belongs to the sprinters, with the R125 000 Listed Laisserfaire Stakes (1100m) and the R150 000, The Var Need For Speed Sprint (1000m) also on the card.

The Mike Bass trained What A Winter comfortably won the Diadem in 2011 by 2.25L from recently retired mare, Ebony Flyer. At weight for age, with the field all carrying 60kg and a merit rating of 120, ten points clear of his nearest rival, the Western Winter entire appears to have the race at his mercy.

With a record of ten victories and three places from 19 starts, the only dual Group 1 winner in the field is well familiar with his home track of Kenilworth and even a Southeaster head wind is unlikely to prevent him from recording back-to-back victories.

Lightly raced, What A Winter is coming off a victory in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1100m at Kenilworth on October 27. Regularly jockey Bernard Fayd’ Herbe is back in the saddle and from barrier five he should be able to tuck in What A Winter, while keeping out of trouble.

In the race for second, the main contenders are the rejuvenated Cap Alright (Captain Al) and the up and coming Depardieu (Dupont). The five-year-old Cap Alright, from the Justin Snaith yard, appears to have found a new lease on life this year, culminating with a victory in the Group 2 Merchants (1200m), where he managed to hold off a flying Depardieu.

Despite being highly regarded by his trainer Dean Kannemeyer, the multiple Group 3 winner, Depardieu, has yet to make the step up to Group 1 level. His run in the Merchants does however suggest that he will be chasing the reigning Champion home come Saturday.

The Diadem Stakes is race seven at 16.25 (South African time) on the nine race card.