The Grade 2 Samsung Golden Slipper on Vodacom Durban July day is as tricky as ever this year and an upset would be no surprise.

Anneka found extra gears when necessary second time out around the turn over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track. She looked to have a bit in hand at the finish and from a fair draw over a suitable trip will be right there.

Celtic Sea ran on well from off the pace and looked the winner before being caught late in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson over 1200m with first-time blinkers on. She should enjoy this trip but has a tough draw to overcome and the blinkers have remained on.

Believe The Best is a scopey sort and beat a field of older maidens in commanding style second time out over this trip when having to overcome a wide draw at Scottsville. She has another tricky draw.

Canukeepitsecret was fourth in the Allan Roberston when running on from a high draw and she should be staying on if Byleveld is able to slot her in from a high draw.

Ronnie’s Candy showed a good turn of foot when winning the SA Fillies Nursery and was a touch unlucky when moving up in the Allan Robertson. However, she was well beaten in the latter race and has a tough task with Celtic Sea and Canukeepitecret.

Temple Grafin is small but won well on debut over 1200m. However, she now has a tough draw of 15.

Can You Feel It was narrowly beaten by Temple Grafin on debut but looks to have plenty of scope and could be the dark horse under Fayd’Herbe from a draw which could come into eight if the reserves come out.

Captain’s Princess is another scopey sort. She beat Firdoas and Ronnie’s Candy on debut over 1200m and then stayed on well for third in the SA Fillies Nursery. She should enjoy the step up in trip and has pole position for an in form yard.

Firdoas won the Listed Devon Air Stakes over course and distance when producing a telling kick and this classy Bernadini filly has scope for further improvement. However, she was drawn in pole that day and now has to overcome the widest draw of all.

Mazari is quite exposed but was only beaten 0,75 lengths by Firdoas in the Devon Air, despite having to give the latter 2kg. However, earlier she was well beaten in both the SA Fillies Nursery and Allan Robertson.

Miss Khalifa impressed on debut over 1000m but has not raced since January so is hard to assess. She does have speed and jumps from a good draw under Jeff Lloyd.

Running Brave is a courageous sort who keeps on finding but this is tougher than she’s faced before.

Red Al won a Juvenile Plate well third time out over 1500m when wearing down the opposition and is improving. However, she was receiving weight in that win and might also prefer further.

Awesomely Tuned was beaten 2,5 lengths by Red Al in the aforementioned race and is now 3kg better off. However, she is quite exposed and faces a tough task.

By David Thiselton