The Grade 2 Dingaans over 1600m and the Grade 3 Fillies Mile will both be run on the Turffontein Standside track tomorrow and earlier there will be seven races on the Inside track.
The Yvette Bremner-trained National Park slammed Chimichuri Run in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m and his participation in the Dingaans will depend on a sale to Hong Kong which might go through today (Friday). He is full of class and might have even more to come. A wide draw and a step up in trip should not bother him as he has the perfect racing temperament and is the sort who relishes the long Turffontein straight. Hawwaam is by Silvano and is a half-brother to the exciting Rainbow Bridge, so he should improve on his fine winning debut. He showed a good turn of foot in that race so can afford to be dropped out from a wide draw.
Hawwaam (JC Photographics)
Reach For The Line is a tall and long-striding son of Potala Palace and was only overtaken late by Hawwaam on debut over 1400m in a hands-and-heels event. He is highly regarded and should be right there. The best outsider is Thanksgiving as he is an impressive specimen by Dynasty and ran a fine race last time in the KZN Guineas trial over this trip at Greyville considering he was rushed around the field midway through the race yet still managed to stay on for a narrow second. Perfect Peter is a full-brother to Along Came Polly who won the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over this course and distance for this same trainer Gavin Van Zyl. He has a wide draw but Van Zyl 2010 Dingaan’s winner
The Apache jumped from the widest draw of all. Samurai Warrior is a typically progressive son of Ideal World and after bolting up with first-time blinkers last time he could be a surprise package, although he does have a very wide draw. Gift For The Gap is a rangy gelding by Master Of My Fate and has scope for plenty of improvement, although he also has a wide draw. Bien Venue was unlucky last time and o previous evidence should stay this trip.
The Fillies Mile can be won by Ronnie’s Candy, whose easy win in the Starling Stakes over 1400m last time proved that her win in the SA Fillies Nursery was no fluke. She has stayed on well in both of her last two starts over 1400m and this classy filly by King Of Kings should also relish the step up in trip on pedigree. The Sean Tarry yard have said Return Flight is fit and well and she will enjoy the Turffontein mile more than the Greyville one where she won the Grade 1 Thekwini comfortably. She runs on resolutely and has a fine draw so should go close under champion jockey Lyle Hewitson.
Storm Destiny won a good race last time over this trip and looks to be going places, but she does have a tough draw. Railtrip is having his third run after a layoff and showed her class in the Thekwini where she finished a 1,75 length second. She should also enjoy the Standside mile as she ran on well in the Thekwini and was also running on well last time in the Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. She was beaten 2,5 lengths in the latter race by Vi Va Pi Pa but it was her second run after a layoff and the latter had a good draw that day. Nevertheless Vi Va Pi Pa is improving and can earn. Ghaalla finished 2,6 lengths behind Ronnie’s Candy in the Starling when receiving 2kg, so has a tough task but she should enjoy the course and distance.
Running Brave is well regarded and comes off two fine runs over 1450m and 1400m but she still has to prove she stays this trip. Celtic Sea has class but might be better suited to 1400m and comes off a disappointing comeback run in the Starling. The dark horse is the unexposed Afrostar who impressed in her last start at Greyville over 1400m. Isle De France is well bred and will relish the step up in trip from the Starling Stakes. Her famous grandmother Ilha Da Vitoria was at her best as a mare and she might follow suit. Virginia is another of the dark horses as she is an impressive specimen and is highly regarded. I Like It won well in her last start but looks held and so does Sand Princess.
By David Thiselton
