Grant van Niekerk’s mount started favourite over 1 400m last time but threw away his chance by pulling hard and refusing to settle in the early stages. He was beaten three-quarters of a length and should be suited by the faster pace of this sprint race.

“I think he is as good over 1 200m as he is over 1 400m and he has got a chance here,” says Mike Bass. The gelding opened at 2-1 yesterday with Betting World who have as their 13-10 favourite Saint Donan, a consistent sort who has the advantage of Andrew Fortune for the first time.

Yesterday’s scratching of Tar Heel (dirty trach wash) leaves Galaxy King with a big chance in the opening Welcome to Bishops Charity Raceday Maiden. He was a 40-1 chance on debut and carried half a kilo over yet he beat all except Ernie who went on to take third in the Met day Listed race.

“He had a bad cough since and that interfered with his preparation, although not a lot,” says Ronnie Sheehan. “He is a nice horse and he has come on.”

Eric Sands, who had a double on Wednesday, sends out 22-10 favourite Silver Salver for the next. His rider’s 4kg claim will be useful, particularly as he was raised a kilo for last time’s third. Bobby James ran well in good company on Queen’s Plate day and has been left on the same rating. He is preferred at 7-2.

Interestingly the useful Twentymanjones (33-10) drops in trip after good runs over 1 200m and 1 400m. “The race doesn’t look that strong and I’m trying to get him into the weakest races to boost his confidence,” explains Darryl Hodgson.

Phoebus is a 5-1 chance for the Sillery Private Estate Maiden and could be the one to beat if you are prepared to overlook last time’s disappointment. The stipes ordered a veterinary examination but nothing showed up. “There was nothing wrong,” explains Dean Kannemeyer. “He raced three wide and Karl Neisius said he couldn’t get in.”

Canadian Dollar is evens favourite but has been off for six months and so Consonance (28-1) could be the danger. He is another who ran below his best last time. “His debut was better than expected but I have no excuses for that second run except that the course was riding quick and he got a bit far back,” says Brett Crawford who admits he is a little in the dark. “The horse is not a great home worker and he is still  not showing much.”

The Vaughan Marshall-trained Sassy Sal (28-10) could be hard to beat in the Powerplaycricket Maiden but Greg Cheyne is on the useful Chill Spa (33-10). He is riding out of his skin and has had nine winners in the past week. Fortune rides Natatela (28-10) and Hodgson reckons she will appreciate the step up in trip.

Picture: Grant van Niekerk has the ride on Panga Panga