There are question marks about the two Mike de Kock-trained favourites in the respective Grade 1 SA Classic and Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m at Turffontein tomorrow and one, Nafaayes, is tipped to win and the other, Hawwaam, is tipped to be beaten.

Hawwaam looks to be as talented as his half-brother Rainbow Bridge but has the same tendency to over race. If he does manage to settle, as he did in the Dingaans, he has an exceptional turn of foot so it all depends on how well Gavin Lerena can relax the Silvano colt. In his favour is draw five out of nine, a better draw than the eleven out of fifteen he had in the Gauteng Guineas. Secondly it is a smaller field so he will be closer to the front when starting his run from the back. However, against him is an apparent lack of pace in the race and this might allow the classy and long-striding Gauteng Guineas winner National Park to dictate. Hawwaam still managed to run on well in the Guineas from last despite having over raced and he should still go close no matter what happens, but he does have 2,7 lengths to find on National Park. Barahin is one of only two horses of this crop who have beaten Soqrat, so is full of class and should have come on from his Gauteng Guineas run which was his first appearance of the season and in which he finished a decent third. He should stay the trip too. Those three are hard to oppose. Zillzaal could be the other one for the quartet as he is an improving sort who will relish the galloping course and distance with its long straight. Atyaab could also earn as one who won a below par Cape Derby.

In the SA Fillies Classic Nafaayes is as well drawn as she was when winning the Gauteng Fillies Guineas (GFG), where she was settled well with cover by Warren Kennedy from draw three and then stayed on well in the straight to just get up from Running Brave. This time she is drawn in pole and Kennedy has no doubt she will stay the trip despite her pedigree suggesting there could be a doubt.  She is by Exceed And Excel, who was a six furlong to seven furlong horse, and is out of a seven furlong to miler type. Ronnie’s Candy has a lot of speed being the winner of the SA Fillies Nursery. However, she is by the miler King Of Kings out of a horse who finished second in a Graded race over 1800m and furthermore she is a full-sister to a horse who has won over 2000m. Thus she should get the trip on pedigree and she has also relaxed beautifully in her last two starts. If able to get cover from a tricky draw she will go close as she appeared to be the unlucky horse in the GFG as she never had enough room to use her superb turn of foot to maximum effect. Second Request ran on well against strong older horses in the Grade 1 Paddock Stakes over this trip and has a fair draw so must have a shout. Chitengo was making eyecatching late progress in the GFG and is a progressive sort who will relish the step up in trip. Return Flight was the Equus Champion two-year-old filly and has always struck as one who will relish this course and distance. She showed last time she still has it in her and has a plum draw of two, so could dictate. Running Brave is a gallant filly who often flies under the radar. She has as good a chance as any from a plum draw of four. The dark horse is Storm Destiny who has talent and was caught wide in the GFG so not surprisingly found little extra. This time she has a good draw and could surprise. Skye Lane has to be considered as one who ran a cracking fourth in the CTS 1600, although it won’t be easy going 1800m in a Grade 1 first up at altitude. 

In the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m Soqrat should show why he is the highest rated three-year-old in the country from a plum draw. He has a superb temperament and a fine turn of foot, although he is up against some good horses here.

The up and coming Greener Pastures is the tip to win the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap from Silver Thursday and Cashel Palace.

Odd Rob, Walter Smoothie and Samurai Warrior are the choices for the Listed Aquanaut, although it is advisable to go wide in the exotics here. 

By David Thiselton