Mike de Kock holds the aces in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on Saturday, a race he is bidding to win for the fifth time, but it won’t be all plain sailing.

He runs Takingthepeace and Silver Thursday, who finished first and second respectively in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (GFG).

Takingthepeace is a long-striding sort who produced a strong finish from well back in the GFG. On running style she looks likely to get the trip, but on pedigree there is some doubt. Her sire Visionaire won from 1300-1700m and his best progeny have been sprinters, milers or sprint-milers. His daughter Heaps Of Fun also won the Gauteng Fillies Guineas and later finished a decent fourth in the Grade 1 Woolavington 2000 at Greyville, but was found wanting in the final stages. Takingthepeace’s dam by Rambo Dancer, Lisa Anne, won three times from 1200-1450m, but did finish third in two separate Grade 3s over 1800m, albeit well beaten thirds

Takingthepeace will likely have to overtake many in the straight again from a wide draw of 14.

Silver Thursday, on the other hand, is crying out for this trip and further. This Silvano filly has drawn ten and Anthony Delpech will be looking to find a position from which she can use her sustained run in.

Betting World have them at 9/2 joint favourites together with Folk Dance.

Folk Dance has a fine action but as her tendency to race a bit strongly has cost her from wide draws over 1600m, she will need luck from draw nine over this step up in trip.

Fiorella’s last run can be ignored as a virus had laid her yard low at the time. The KZN Captain Al filly has shown good speed over 1400m and has stayed on well twice over 1600m behind the top class Hashtagyolo. Her dam won the Caradoc Gold Cup, so she is an interesting contender.

The KZN raider Roy’s Riviera also stays on well and this well-bred sort has strengthened, so she is the dark horse.

Flichity By Farr usually starts slowly and finishes strongly but overcoming a high draw here will be tough, although the Alyson Wright yard are positive based on her homework at caretaker Geoff Woodruff’s yard.

Wodruff horses can never be ignored at this time of the year and his own charge Secret Potion is a long-striding sort who takes a while to unwind in the straight. However, when she finds her feet she finishes strongly and is still improving, so she could be the best value outsider from a plum draw of three as she will likely relish the faster pace of a Grade 1 event.

Cashel Palace is another with scope for improvement although she finished severely distressed in the GFG, which is a concern.

Aurelia Cotta has been a touch disappointing after the good start to her career but with the Tarry yard in fine form she can’t be ignored. Her stablemates Rockin’ Russian, Forest Express and London Secret must also be considered.

Radiant Splendour has a big reputation and Piere Strydom is an eye catching booking. Inexperienced stablemate Saragon looks the part too, being by Ideal World, despite her current low merit rating.

Green Top stayed on for a surprise third in the GFG and Mar Del Seur is improving but has a tough draw.

It looks as wide open as the betting suggests.

By David Thiselton