David Thiselton

Classic day at Turffontein Standside today features three Gr 1 races, the HKJC World Pool SA Classic, the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Stakes.

In the SA Classic over 1800m Jan Van Goyen probably needed it when beaten by Trust in the Jackpot City Dingaans over 1600m last November and the race did not pan out well for him either. He subsequently pulled off an incredible feat to win the Cape Guineas by an effortless 2,75 lengths, because it happened two weeks after the Dingaans and required a long journey just to get there. In the L’Ormarins King’s Plate he went too fast in pursuit of the pacemaker Dave The King and it might also have been a flat run. He is held in high regard and should get the trip. His good draw of three is a bonus.

There is not much between Jan Van Goyen and Splittheeights on lines through Tin Pan Alley, Trust and All Systems Go. Splittheeights looked to have a bit in hand when winning the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Guineas and should get the trip. He has a fine turn of foot and might need it to be at its best from draw eight.

Trust was doing eye-catching late work in the Gauteng Guineas after being hampered and he has been shown in the past to have an exceptional late surge when at his best, so is a big threat from draw four.

Grand Empire ran on well for second in the Gauteng Guineas and looks to be a progressive sort who is on the up.

Erroll Flynn made up the ground effortlessly in a 1600m event last time and although running off only an 88, he has plenty of scope and oozes class.

One Eye On Vegas is believed to have stamina limitations being by Buffalo Bill Cody, but he ran on from last to be beaten just 0,90 lengths in the Gauteng Guineas, and he actually has quite a bit of stamina in his female line, so he is the dark horse.

Those are the ones who make most appeal and the selection is Jan Van Goyen to beat Splittheeights with Trust, Grand Empire and Erroll Flynn next best, although One Eye On Vegas is tough to ignore.

The Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m will have its best field for many a season, even if there are only nine runners.

It shapes as a mile championship featuring the L’Ormarins King’s Plate winner The Real Prince against the unlucky 0,25 length third in that race, See It Again, who went on to win the WSB Met.

Both horses have been prepared out of Summerveld and both should enjoy the course and distance being types who can relax into a rhythm before using their fine acceleration.

The Highveld challenge is led by Main Defender, who used his devastating turn of foot to win this race easily two years ago, but this will be his second run after a long layoff.

Fire Attack bounced back to his best last time back on the Highveld after nothing had gone right in his Cape Town campaign. He has a fine turn of foot and this course and distance should be ideal.

His Alec Laird-trained stablemate Atticus Finch has had epistaxis before and was tailed off last time in the defense of his Betway Summer Cup crown, but if at his best he has a chance, as is evidenced by his impressive Gr 2 Allied-Steelrode Onamission mile win

Tin Pan Alley has class but is probably at his best over slightly shorter.

Cosmic Speed drew three when winning last year under Zackey and is now drawn six. He looks held on King’s Plate form.

Texas Red also looks held.

The field is completed by Pressonregardless, a classy sort who is outgunned on paper, but he will relish the faster pace of a top class race and could earn.

See It Again has Richard Fourie up, so should find a good position from his wide draw before using his magnificent turn of foot and he is taken to beat The Real Prince with Fire Attack, Main Defender and Pressonregardless.

The Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m has a field of ten and eight of them ran in the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas.

Hazy Dazy won that race easily despite still looking a touch green. She has won over 2000m before and will relish the step up to 1800m.

Charge It by Gimmethegreenlight is a full-sister to Gr 1 Daily News 2000 winner Surcharge, so will also relish the step up in trip and can finish second to Hazy Dazy for the third time.

Littlemissmillion was running on well in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip.

Golden Palm by Master Of My Fate is out of a Var mare and she will have to be ridden more conservatively than she was in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas if she is to improve on her 3,10 length third place finish in the latter race.

Loweveld Lily should be staying on well  and could earn again.

Drumnadrochit will enjoy the step up in trip and has Richard Fourie up from a fair draw.

Daisy Jones could sneak a place from a good draw.

Tina Lovelace has proved disappointing, while Scarlett Heart and Merryweather face big steps up in class.

Hazy Dazy is taken to beat Charge It with Littlemissmillion, Golden Palm and Lowveld Lily next best.