The Vaal stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and it is competitive so the exotics look to be the best way to play it. 

In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Epic Dream has a touch of class and has speed too so is going to be hard to beat in an otherwise uninspiring field. Jackpot Jewel made a good debut and should improve but he was just over a length behind Summer House over 1160m and the latter wears a tongue tie for the first time so could confirm the form.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is an interesting Assessment Plate over 1200m. Dancing Queen and Ouro are the best in at the weights but the one who will definitely stay all the way to the line is Lady Lexington. She has a tough task at the weights according to official merit ratings but has a nice big action and looks to have plenty of scope for improvement so could cause an upset. Dancing Queen started with an inside draw last time and ended on the outside when only managing fourth despite starting at odds of 8/11. She tries 1200m for the first time and on pedigree will get the trip.

Heaven’s Reward won her first two starts over this trip and can bounce back to her best in her third run after a layoff as she was a close up fourth last time over 1400m to three horses who went on to compete in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, including the useful Ronnie’s Candy. Ouro was a touch unlucky last time when just 2,35 lengths behind Running Brave over 1100m and the latter went on to finish a close second in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas over her preferred mile trip. She is impossible to ignore and must be included in the Pick 6. Rock A Roll Dancer is also a promising sort and is the dark horse in the race over a suitable trip, although it is her second run after a layoff.

In the first leg of the Jackpot Generous Notion struck as one with ability from day one and should be coming into her own now. Last time she had a tough high draw on the Turffontein Inside track and ran on late for a close up third to a former Cape Town horse with some fair form. This race is now down the straight and she is off the same mark, although any draw bias mist be monitored on the day as she has a high draw. Sporting Monarch was another one who made an impression from day one as he has speed and the ability to stay on. He won when dropped as low as a 67 merit rating but off his current 72 he is still well handicapped on his best form and should be involved, although he has a low draw so hopefully that side does not have a disadvantage on the day. Torio Lake is by Oratorio out of the useful Grade 3-winning sprinter Purple Lake so he is interesting dropped down to this trip. He stays 1400m and should be finishing fast. However, it is a competitive event and punters should go as wide as possible.

In the sixth race over 1100m Purple Diamond won the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m as a two-year-old but became disappointing. His merit rating has dropped into the low 80s and in his last three runs he has been competitive in sprints from 1000-1200m. He finished well over 1000m last time so should enjoy the extra 100m and looks to be the one to beat. He is only 1kg better off with Great Shaka for a 1,4 length beating over 1000m although the latter would have preferred this to have been over 1000m again. Copper Jay is ultra consistent and should enjoy this trip. Danza was thought to be best at 1400m until his last start when winning easily over 1200m. However, he does have a six point merit rated raise to contend with which will not be easy at the age of six. Donny G is half-a-kilogram better off with Great Shaka for a 0,4 length beating so also has to be included in a competitive race.

The seventh is an Assessment Plate over 1000m and the two stand outs are Dewali and Summer Afternoon. The former won his maiden over this trip by four lengths and followed up with a good effort behind a promising sort. On the downside he has not run since September. Summer Afternoon is joint best in at the weights with Dewali and this Trippi filly won well on debut before not being disgraced behind Running Brave last time. Those two should it fight out and Topmast is the one who could pick up the pieces if they fluff their lines.

The next race over 1600m could be won by Believe Me, who in the typical style of a Silvano filly is coming into her own as a four-year-old. She should enjoy this step up to mile and can continue to progress. Abelie went close first time out the maidens over 1700m and will also be involved. Samarra has been competitive since her merit rating has dropped into the 60s and the front-running tactics worked well last time over 1400m. She stays this trip and should be thereabouts despite being given a four point raise. 

The last leg is a Maiden and it should be fought out by Fire And Rescue and Humour Me, who have both shown promise and are distance suited. Maroon Bells has plenty of scope and if there is to be an upset he is the most likely candidate to cause it.

By David Thiselton

Adrian Todd is aiming to have South Africa opened up for direct equine exports to Europe within the next six months but he stresses that he needs further government help to achieve this long-awaited goal.

Todd, former boss of Cape Thoroughbred Sales and for the past 18 months managing director of South Africa Equine Health and Protocols, spelt out his considerable progress in an interview with James Goodman on Monday night’s Winning Ways.

He said: “I am confident we will achieve this (unrestricted horse exports) before a year and I am shooting at trying to get it all sorted out by June.”

Todd was appointed to head SAEHP by Chris van Niekerk (the initial chairman) in 2017 with Mike de Kock also a director. Since then Van Niekerk has taken a back seat and Brian Finch has become chairman. De Kock is still on the board but has been joined by a number of prominent people in the industry including Summerhill Stud boss Mick Goss.

Equine exports to Europe, and indeed to the rest of the world, have been repeatedly banned as a result of African Horse Sickness outbreaks and in recent years the only way out has been via an extended quarantine period in Mauritius.

Todd stressed that he has had a lot of help from the South African government but what he needs now is an audit of the protocols by the European Union’s veterinary officials.

He said: “We have a protocol in place with Hong Kong but it is under temporary suspension. However the minute we start trading with the EU other countries will come on line. The world looks to the EU which is considered a gold standard.

“What we need now from government is a final political push to get the EU to come here and to get them to reinstate our direct trade. For the first time ever I believe we are in a position to pass an EU audit and government also feels confident that we will pass.

”If we do so the next thing that will happen is that a report will be lodged with the EU veterinary commission and it could take six to eight weeks for the report to be finalised.”

Todd is fully aware of the possible pitfalls between here and what has for so long seemed as elusive as the end of the rainbow. He knows that some countries are still not fully convinced that South African horses will not bring African Horse Sickness with them.

“For the first time I believe we are on the brink but the last thing we need is for a concerned foreign industry within the EU to lobby against us even if we pass the audit.”

This is what happened before when bloodstock agent Grant Pritchard-Gordon (now also a member of the CTS yearling inspection team) tried to promote South Africa’s cause only to be shot down by the British TBA.

Todd believes that this is South Africa’s moment and that there will only be one chance. “If we don’t get it right this time we can forget about it for a generation and, if we don’t get it, we are in serious trouble. South Africa must export and we now need the audit. We also need this final (government) push to get the EU here. For the first time we are on the brink.”

The Australian was a big success at CTS but if he pulls this one off he will transform the fortunes of South Africa’s dwindling band of thoroughbred breeders and allow our best horses to fly the flag around the world. He will also warrant a place in racing’s Hall Of Fame.

By Michael Clower

After much huffing, puffing and cursing infections, Louis Goosen’s Ashburton yard has turned the corner wonderfully and he holds a strong hand with four runners in the eighth race at Scottsville today, a competitive Pinnacle Stakes sprint where he saddles four runners.

Best could be Captain’s Girl who is overdue another win. The mare is quick and well suited to this trip. She was run out of it late by stable companion Di Mazzio last time out but that was over 1200m and with red-hot Anton Marcus aboard she will be much better suited to the Scottsville short-cut.

Doug Campbell has a smart filly in Val-La-Ree who is way better than her last run on the poly and could prove the biggest threat. Her best form has been over course and distance and she is reasonably well weighted here. Goosen’s other runners include the diminutive but speedy Hashtag Strat, Winter Blues and Effortless Reward who does have issues but is capable on her day. She gets 9kg and more from her rivals and wears blinkers for the first time. She could be the surprise package.

The regally bred Mela Stregata took some time to get off the mark for Duncan Howells and proved expensive to follow. Her ability may not match up to her pedigree but blinkers appear to have brought out the best in her and she can follow up especially as the form of her Maiden win worked out well with Extravargant winning next time out. But the latter has a 2kg swing in the weights and with Marcus up and can turn the tables. Of the balance, Amber Furst goes well on the grass although she has a big weight. The blinkers come off Spring Breeze who does seem better than her recent form and is certainly way better than her last showing.

The seventh is a competitive fillies maiden where Anuchke’s Wings could prove the pick. Glen Kotzen’s runner made a smart debut last month and should enjoy the extra. She appears to have plenty if improvement to come and meets a weak field. Marcus teams up with the Goosen-trained Unilateral who was a beaten favourite last time out but has some fair recent form. Marcus stays with the mount which may prove significant.

Turkish Lira made good improvement at her second start and should much prefer this trip judged on her pedigree while Belle Of Paris finished ahead of Unilateral last time out and has improved at recent outings which should give her a chance in this company.

A useful field lines up in the last where Jet Stream is back over a more suitable trip but he is a young horse in a handicap which will make it difficult even though he is progressive. Techno Captain is not the easiest but is useful on his day. Paul Gadsby’s gelding has dropped in the handicap and races in earmuffs.  Stable companion Arrow’s Mark was running on strongly in his first run out of the maidens and is another to consider along with White Lightning who is way better than his last effort and the extra should suit. He is one to watch.

She’s A Dream and Girl In Gold are up for auction on the Shongweni Mixed Sale at the end of the month and many a prospective buyer will be looking to their performances in the fourth.

Both have talent but have been disappointing although, Girl In Gold finally landed a second win last time out.

However, both will need to get past top weight Miss Smarty Pants who improves with every outing and won well in a useful field last time out. She has a fair weight but can go in again. Samsara is a four-time winner having her first local run. She comes off some fair Cape Town form and Garth Puller has engaged Marcus for the ride, suggesting that she cannot be left out of any calculations.

By Andrew Harrison

Three-time South African Champion jockey Anthony Delpech said the feeling of loss he felt when finally forced to retire from the saddle last week was difficult to explain, although he was able to look back on a glittering career.

“Something that was a part of you is gone, you feel robbed. I was used to getting up in the morning to go to work and now I don’t know what to do with myself, but if you try and explain your feelings to people they just don’t understand.”

Even as he spoke he was in pain and something as routine as putting on shoes is now avoided if possible.

There is a burning sensation in his leg, hands and arms, with the leg being particularly noticeable.

“It feels as if somebody has rubbed deep heat on my leg down to my feet.”

Delpech started workriding again a couple of weeks ago and hoped this would help his path to recovery.

He rode a couple of horses the first day back and the burning in his leg got worse.

In a subsequent session he upped the number he rode by one or two and the burning got so bad he could hardly bear to have his riding breeches on.

His doctor advised him later that day to never ride a horse again as it was putting more pressure on the spine.

Delpech said, “I went in that day not realising it was going to be the end so it was really hard.”

However, he had to put his family responsibilities first and heeded the advice.

Doctors told him after his shocking fall in the SA Classic in April last year he would likely never ride again. However, his own doctor had seen how badly he wanted to get back in the saddle and had given him every opportunity to do so. Delpech tried everything from oxygen therapy to physiotherapy to chiropractic treatment and other methods in his bid to recover.

He said one of the hardest parts in accepting his fate was that despite being 50 years of age he felt he had been riding better than ever at the time of the fall. He said he owed this partly to Mary Slack, who had retained him for two years.

He said, “It was two of the best years of my career, I felt rejuvenated, it was like having a new job and I couldn’t wait to get to work to see which new horses of Mary’s there were. She has been behind me throughout this ordeal and has contacted me at least once a week.”

Asked what he would miss most he said, “To me the horses were always the most important and of course I will miss the riding too. Towards the end I appreciated even the maiden winners. I will miss the people too, the owners have been fantastic.”

His highlights were too many to mention, but he singled out his four Vodacom Durban July victories and every win he had on Vengeance Of Rain. He rated the latter the best horse he ever rode and among the races he won on him were Hong Kong’s biggest race, the Hong Kong Derby, and the Grade 1 Dubai Sheema Classic.

In South Africa he said Triple Tiara, July and Met-winner Igugu was one of the best fillies he ever rode.

His three South African Jockeys Championships were also highlights and he added, “Especially the last one, as I was a bit older and appreciated it a bit more. Even when I broke the record, I was young and so busy I didn’t really appreciate it as much as I should have.”

The record he was speaking about was the staggering 334 winners he rode in the 1998/1999 season, which looks to be one of the safest records in South African sport.   

He mentioned “Muis” Roberts, Garth Puller, Basil Marcus, Jeff Lloyd and Anton Marcus among the many great jockeys he had ridden against.

He added, “Anton and I had a great rivalry for six years. We had great respect for each other and that competition is one of things I have missed most.”

Mike de Kock was naturally the trainer he will have the best memories of and he said, “I rode for him when I came back from Hong Kong on the recommendation of Kevin Shea. I had 99% of my success with him and learnt so much. He taught me a lot about racing and people and just about everything. I saw horses coming into his yard and how he could turn them around. Bold Silvano was one I will always remember, I am not saying he wasn’t good already, but the way he turned him around was phenomenal. In every sport there are those who have to work hard at what they do and those who are gifted and Mike was one of the most gifted people I have seen in horseracing. I didn’t used to say much or ask a lot I just watched to see what he did. I learnt so much and will take all that with me.”

Delpech has had such an emotional few days he has not yet began planning his next career move and admitted riding was all he knew.

He has had to learn to live with the pain and it is still not known whether this will ease or be permanent.

The public, owners and trainers have missed Delpech’s race riding skills and of course with Anton Marcus now dominating that intense rivalry has left a gap that is taking time to be filled.

By David Thiselton

S’Manga Khumalo has been booked by Joey Ramsden to ride in seven of the eight races when Cape Town racing resumes after its two-week post Sun Met break at Kenilworth on Saturday.

The dual champion, still looking for his first Kenilworth winner of the season (he has had three seconds and two thirds from just 34 rides), gets the call partly because Donovan Dillon is still sidelined as the result of the injuries he received on Met day.

Double Alliance was difficult to load for the Tattersalls Summer Juvenile and reared with him in the pens causing the damage. Dillon finished fifth on the colt and rode in the next before being forced to call it a day. The failure to inform Hong Kong of the subsequent jockey changes caused that well-documented international furore.

Dillon said yesterday: “I tried to carry on with my other rides that day. The adrenaline was still flowing for a time but as soon as I had a bit of break the pain became unbearable. I proved to have damaged ligaments in my knee. I also have a damaged cartilage and bruising on the knee bone. I expect to be out for about six weeks.”

Anton Marcus will also be in action at Kenilworth on Saturday. The four-time champion has six rides – two for Candice Bass-Robinson, three for Brett Crawford and Mythical Bolt (a beaten favourite last time) for Sean Tarry.

Marcus, now leading the championship chase and 15-10 favourite for the title with World Sports Betting, has an impressive  strike rated of 26% at Kenilworth this season but this figure is significantly less than his near 32% national strike rate. Muzi Yeni, at the moment his only serious pursuer, went into yesterday’s Flamingo Park meeting four winners adrift on 111. That came from 921 rides compared with Marcus’s 362. Yeni is 28-10 second favourite.

Ryan Munger (792 rides) is a 14-1 chance and started yesterday in third place on 89 winners, with Greg Cheyne fourth on 82. But it’s the current champion Lyle Hewitson who is regarded as the biggest threat to the top two. He missed the early part of the season but is fast making up for lost time and has now ridden 92 winners. He is a 7-2 chance.

Gavin Lerena, 80 winners this term and champion in 2014/15, comes next on 4-1. Richard Fourie is twice that price despite also having ridden 80. Cheyne is a 33-1 shot – presumably because he has repeatedly said in the past that he is not going to go for the championship come what may!

By Michael Clower

The Vaal Classic track stages a low key eight race meeting tomorrow but there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.

Favourite backers should get off to a good start with Chief Of State who was green on debut when only just failing over this 1000m trip. The Toreador colt now represents the lethal combination of Paul Peter and Charles Ndlovu in this Workrider’s event. On formlines he has the chief danger Saint Michael well held. The latter ran second last week over this trip last week and could finish second again here. None of the other raced horses look to pose a threat.

In the second race over 1000m Cosmic Mist is the one with the most ability over this trip, but she costs herself with slow starts and last time was bumped coming out too which might not have done much for her confidence. She is now tried in blinkers and ear muffs. Captain’s Love ran on in eyecatching style last time over this trip in first time blinkers so has a good chance too. Without Limits was beaten two lengths by Captain’s Love last time and Mercer Girl was 0,6 lengths further back after a slow start and now runs in blinkers for the third time. Mega Lee’s first two runs were fair efforts when up with the pace and staying on but slow starts have cost her recently and she does not appear to be improving.  

In the third race over 2000m Spring Poetry has her third run after a layoff and went close in both of her comeback runs over 1400m and 1600m respectively. She has won over this trip before and has a plum draw. Azkur also has her third run after a layoff and has also won over the trip so should improve on her last two outings especially considering she has been dropped five points in the merit ratings. Waity Katie is a decent type and has dropped to a competitive merit rating. This is the first time she will be trying this trip but she was running on over 1700m in her penultimate start to the useful Chitengo and is drawn in pole so should get it.

In the fourth race over 1600m Wild Thoughts found a good position from a similarly tricky draw last time over this trip on Turffontein Standside and moved up well before being run out of it by a fair sort in Princess Lomitas. If she can repeat she is the one to beat. Sea Like Glass was effective from the front over this trip last time from a similarly wide draw and was only passed late. She was five lengths clear of Pigeon Post, who does however have scope for improvement. Pigeon Post is often backed and has obvious ability.

Last time in her first try at this trip the rider had difficulty settling her when dropping her in behind the field from a wide draw but she then ran on in eyecatching fashion, although she was too far back to be a threat. If she manages to find a handier position and settles she will go close. Julep was handy without cover last time over 1400m which did not suit her and she was also found to not be striding out. If finding cover from a tricky draw and coming from off the pace like she did when going close in her penultimate start over this trip then she has a chance. Ideal Cut was just behind Julep last time over 1400m and can improve over this step up in trip.

In the fifth race over 1600m Only To Win only just failed last time over 1450m when running on against some decent types. She is now drawn in pole off an attractive merit rating and over a trip she is proven over. Seville Orange won in commanding fashion in her last start over this trip from a similarly wide draw and looks to be coming into her own so should go close off just a three point higher mark. High Seas Beauty is capable of a strong finish from off the pace so will likely be dropped out from her high draw. She was staying on in her first try at this trip last time behind a fair sort.

In the sixth race over 2400m Master And Man dictated in a similarly small field over this trip in his penultimate start and only just failed to hold on. He followed with a fine effort over 1800m against some useful horses and is going to be hard to beat in this field. Hands Of Man and Africa’s Gold make most appeal of the rest.

In the seventh over 1450m Warrior’s Rest is a resolute front-running galloper who stretches fields and then continually turns it up a notch. However, he has to be in front, because he does not have the necessary turn of foot when sitting behind slower paces. The blinkers have now been fitted probably to help him get to the front as last time he was held up in second place. Monopolize enjoys this trip and will be a threat. The filly Greener Pastures is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and is also distance suited. However, it is never easy against the boys and she has a wide draw to overcome.

In the last race over 1000m Elbi makes most appeal having performed above her merit rating last time over this trip when a close up second to the useful Casual Wear. Mademoiselle has become ultra consistent and is distance suited and there is not much between her Ulla and Nicky Noo so those three must also be included. Last Chirp is better than her recent form suggests and has dropped to a competitive merit rating so is an outsider to consider.

By David Thiselton

Last year’s Vodacom Durban July winner Do It Again now has Durban on his agenda for a second time following his three-quarter length defeat in the Sun Met but at the moment he looks unlikely to attempt to win South Africa’s most famous race for a second time.

Jono Snaith said: “We are discussing it with the owners (Nic Jonsson, Bernard Kantor and Jack Mitchell) but he will most likely not run in the July because of the handicap. He will instead go for the Rising Sun Gold Challenge and the Champions Cup.”

No horse has won the July in successive years since El Picha at the turn of the century and as things stand at the moment Do It Again could be expected to be given top weight. Since Pocket Power dead-heated with the Justin Snaith-trained Dancer’s Daughter in 2008 only Marinaresco (2017) has won with top weight.

A week ago the handicappers put Do It Again one point above his Met conqueror Rainbow Bridge. Little went right for the favourite in the Met. He lost significant ground at the start and was shuffled back to second last. Three furlongs out he was last of all and, although he then made good progress, he hung badly right away from the whip and did so again when Richard Fourie changed his stick to his right hand. There now appears to be a jinx on favourites in the Met – Do It Again was the seventh in a row to meet with defeat.

Jono Snaith said: “We thought he was unlucky but that’s racing and, in any case, I wouldn’t want to take anything away from the winner.”

By Michael Clower 

Torrential rain and lightning that affected the outside broadcast was not enough to stop racing at Greyville yesterday. Bucketing rain flooded the poly track but after a lengthy delay, tractors squelching through the puddles and a track inspection, racing went ahead.

The Ashburton stable of Louis Goosen was in the doldrums for a few months towards the end of last year, but the wheel has turned in the past few weeks and he took his season’s tally to 15 as Bravo Zulu, showing no ill effects from his narrow loss last Wednesday, backed up with a solid victory in the first.

Goosen had lodged an objection on Wednesday which was over-ruled, which in the light of yesterday’s win, was probably a blessing.

“It was probably 50/50,” commented Goosen on the objection. “But you know it was 90/10 with the emotion taking over.”

The storm hit shortly after the running of the first and it was over an hour before Getaway got to strut her stuff for Wendy Whitehead. The temperamental Diamondsandpearls was sent out favourite but came under pressure early in the straight as Getaway lived up to her name.

“She’s a really nice filly, very quick,” said Whitehead. Getaway finished fourth behind winners in a KZN Breeders race but pulled a back muscle which took time to heal, hence the lengthy break.

Diego de Gouveia had a rocky start to his riding career, in and out of the Jockey Academy and riding in work rider races for a time, but his perseverance has paid off. More importantly he has caught the eye of some of the bigger yards in Gauteng and made the most of his ride on Atyaab to win the Gr1 Cape Derby for Mike de Kock on Sun Met day.

De Gouveia was only three weeks out of his time as an apprentice before winning the Derby and he showed yesterday why he has been given chances at the highest level as he steered Moshav home in the third for Stuart Pettigrew.

Well off the pace turning for home, De Gouveia steered the favourite through gap after gap to get the favourite home when at one stage he was staring at defeat.

Ivan van Wyk is one of the quiet men of racing training off the farm at Yellow Star Stud in the KZN midlands and he is mostly left with the lessor lights. But he has kept the seven-year-od Putchini on the boil and he scored the eighth win of his career in 83 starts when landing the fourth. “He is never unsound,” said Van Wyk of his charge who had four starts last month.

Anton Marcus has plum rides nearly every meeting and he makes the most of them as he rarely goes home without at least one scalp on his belt. His winning strike rate is nearly one in every three rides – 31.5% currently.

 He scored a double yesterday, driving Wordbuster home for Garth Puller in the fifth to deny championship rival Muzi Yeni on Whiskey Road and he went two clear of Yeni with another polished ride on Sir Bernadini for Dennis Bosch in the seventh with Yeni, who did not get the best of passages, third on Legend.

Serino Moodley is another rider just out of his time and he caused something of an exotic bet boil-over as he got Frank Robinson’s 20-1 chance Komeshans Flight home ahead of Heart Of A Legend.

Keagan de Melo deputised for De Gouveia on the Pettigrew-trained Bel Canto Chorus in the last, as De Gouveia was forced to leave early or miss his flight back to Johannesburg. It proved something of an arm-chair ride for De Melo as Bel Canto Chorus sprinted clear and won as she liked.

By Andrew Harrison

The Gauteng Guineas meeting follows fast on the heels of a Sun Met so punters can look forward to another day of top class racing at Turffontein Standside tomorrow.

Hawwaam is unbeaten in three starts and looks set to join his stable companion Soqrat as a Triple Crown contender. The Triple Crown has two first legs, the Grade 1 Cape Guineas or tomorrow’s Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas. Hawwaam showed his class second time out in the Dingaans over tomorrow’s course and distance when displaying a devastating turn of foot and winning by 3,40 lengths. The form has not worked out well, with second-placed Thanksgiving running disappointingly in a below par renewal of the Grade 1 Cape Derby and third-placed Green Haze finishing only fifth in the Listed Sea Cottages Stakes over 1800m.

However, Hawwaam showed his class in his next start in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel over 1400m when the muddling pace did him no favours at all, yet he still managed to find the necessary extra to win over a trip which was too sharp.  He has class stamped all over him and is 16/10 with WSB to remain unbeaten. National Park was an easy winner of the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m before being beaten 7,40 lengths into fourth in the Dingaans. It was the second time in two starts he had failed to reproduce his best over this trip.

There was a valid excuse the first time and the second time could have been due to the altitude. Horses hitting a flat spot after being up at altitude for roundabout three weeks has been noticed by more than one horseman and the Dingaans was run three weeks after the Graham Beck, The big Gimmethegreenlight gelding had to do the donkey work in the Dingaans too, whereas he is better coming from off the pace. He has pole position tomorrow and might be dangerous as he is also full of class and still appears to be learning.

Barahin proved himself top class in the Golden Horseshoe when beating Soqrat, who went on to win the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes, the Cape Guineas and then finish second in the Queen’s Plate. This is his first run of the season and he has a tough draw, but Anton Marcus is aboard. Against The Grain is well drawn and has struck as one with plenty of ability and he should stay the trip. Chijmes was the winner of the Sea Cottage and on paper he is not far off Hawwaam on a line through Green Haze.

He is also well drawn in two, especially considering his front-running style. Vontreo will love the step up in trip judging by his strong finish in the Tony Ruffel to be beaten just a length although he does have a tricky draw and is 2kg worse off with Hawwaam for a length beating. Owlinthetree could earn too, although he would prefer further. There is little between Marchingontogether and Chijmes, so the former is interesting with first-time blinkers on, albeit from a tough draw. They are selected in the order mentioned.

In the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas the Silvano filly Blossom will attempt to emulate her Triple Tiara-winning mother Cherry On The Top. She has class but still has a lot to prove and has landed a wide draw. Nafaayes could be the one to beat. She does not have the biggest action but it is effective and she beat a good sort in Al Danza when winning the Ipi Tombe over this course and distance last time out. Ronnie’s Candy would likely be the choice if better drawn. She showed in the Starling Stakes over 1400m she was top class when running on strongly to win easily, beating Nafaayes by 2,20 lengths.

However, she then over-raced in two further features when widely drawn over 1600m and 1400m respectively. However, last time, when running in a preparation race over 1400m down the Vaal straight she wore a tongue tie and settled beautifully so that augurs well for her tomorrow. Blossom and the promising Chitengo both have the ability to go close for sponsors Wilgerbosdrift Stud so must be included. Cordillera won the Listed Secretariat well over 1400m and is looking for this trip. The risk averse can also include Storm Destiny, Running Brave and Dagmar.

By David Thiselton