The Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m could see reigning Equus Horse Of The Year Oh Susanna retaining her crown but she will be given plenty to think about by Lady In Black, who has landed a plum draw, as well as the like of Fresnaye.

Oh Susanna was beaten by Lady In Black at level weights over 1600m last time and trainer Justin Snaith said, “She definitely just needed it. She was stuck in quarantine after the Durban season so did nothing for a month and it is hard to find races for 121 merit rated horses. She didn’t pull up that well after that last run but we worked on her and she has come on beautifully. It is the best I have had her since her Met win last year.”

Snaith also runs Miyabi Gold and Miss Katalin and said, “Miyabi Gold ran a very impressive comeback as she had only had one gallop and I am bullish about her running a big race drawn one with Anton Marcus up. I think she will reverse form with Fresnaye.”

Miss Katalin has the same ownership as Oh Susanna, Drakenstein Stud, and finished just 1,8 lengths behind Fresnaye last time when setting the pace over course and distance in the Victress Stakes. Snaith said, “Her form warrants her being given this opportunity. She likes to run handy and her presence will ensure its run at a nice gallop.”

Dennis Drier will be hoping to see history repeating itself. His great Dynasty filly Beach Beauty finished second in this race as a three-year-old and won the next two renewals. Lady In Black, also by Dynasty, finished second in this race last year as a three-year-old. Drier said, “I am very happy with her and expect a big run.”

She has landed a plum draw of three whereas Oh Susanna jumps from draw seven.

Victress winner Fresnaye finished third in the Paddock Stakes last year and has a tough draw of 12. However, trainer Joey Ramsden confirmed she was not a difficult ride and pointed out she had “a good fellow” (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) aboard. He added, “We have sorted out a few issues with her so she has shown improvement. She only had one gallop going into the Victress so will strip a lot fitter.”

The Mike de Kock-trained Cascapedia travelled down from Cape Town on the Thursday two weeks ago and the journey went well.

The big Irish-bred mare had a tough race in the G-Bets Summer Cup where she finished a narrow 0,8 length third giving 2,5kg to the winner Tilbury Fort and 2kg to the runner up Dawn Assault. However, the yard have freshened her up and Matthew de Kock said she was a happy horse at present. He also believes she will appreciate the step down to 1800m. “2000m stretches her,” he said. She has never raced in Grade 1 weight for age company before but is relatively unexposed having won six of ten career starts. She jumps from a tricky draw of eight.

Hashtagyolo is a good looking filly and she still needed it in the Victress. She has the class to cause an upset. Trainer Dean Kannemeyer said, “She has her third run after a layoff and I expect her to continue to improve but it is a hard race.” She has a good draw of five.

Trainer Sean Tarry prefers Second Request of his pair. Safe Harbour had a wind operation after last season and Tarry said, “Her first two runs back were discouraging but the blinkers helped last time and she is fit and well so we are just hoping she returns to her best form. Second Request ran on well in the Guineas and the extra distance will certainly help. We will see if she is good enough.”

Trainer Candice Dawson said about Sylvan On Fire, “She deserves a chance and is well in herself.”

Elusive Heart was found to have a nasal discharge after finishing a far from disgraced 3,95 lengths back to Snowdance At level weights over a mile last time and trainer Glen Kotzen said, “We have treated her accordingly. It is her third run after a layoff so she is cherry ripe but it is very competitive. She can place on her best form.”

Trainer Adam Marcus said about Brave Move, “She is very well. Her last run was disappointing and she was found to have choked up. So we have fitted her with a tongue tie. We hope it sorts it out but whether it does or not is still unknown. If she does run to her best she is not one to be ignored.”

The selection is Oh Susanna to beat Lady In Black and Fresnaye with Hashtagyolo and Cascapedia next best.

By David Thiselton