Zambezi River gets a visit from Felix Coetzee.                 Picture: Liesl King

Zambezi River, a Drakenstein Stud-bred Trippi colt, is unbeaten in two starts over 1000m and 1160m respectively and has been impressive in the process. He dwelt and lost a couple of lengths on both occasions before scything through the field and winning going away. The form of his first start has worked out very well.

He is drawn in pole position on Saturday and Tarry said, “He has jumped slowly so I’m not sure we will be able to use that good draw, but at least we will have options if he does start well. I haven’t done a lot with him and he’s done everything right and won effortlessly, so still has scope and we haven’t seen the best of him yet.”

Tarry believes there is no reason for him not to stay the 1400m trip. He is beautifully bred being by a top class stallion out of an unraced USA-bred mare whose dam is a half-sister to the brilliant European Horse Of The Year Lammtara (won the Epsom Derby, King George and Arc). On the downside, as far as staying the trip goes, Margaret River has so far tended to produce sprinters, although Zambezi River’s full brother River Trip did finish second over 1450m on one occasion.  S’Manga Khumalo keeps the ride for Saturday.

Imperial Gold, a Goldkeeper colt, won his debut over 1200m at Clairwood in comfortable fashion by 2,5 lengths. He then ran in the Gr 1 Premiers Champion Stakes over 1600m at Greyville on the last weekend of last season and finished 8,5 lengths back in twelfth.

He hasn’t run since that last outing and Tarry said, “He had a few interruptions and might be short of match fitness, but I hope he is right on the day as we’ve got him as good as we can.” Anthony Delpech rides from draw 10.

Both horses will be staying at Milnerton training centre. They will stay on after the race and how they do on Saturday will dictate whether they go for other forthcoming Cape Summer of Champions features.