The ‘Del Mar’ show, a phrase coined by former jockey and now television pundit Kevin Shea, looks set to continue in the first on the Greyville poly today with Anthony Delpech and Anton Marcus most likely to be going head-to-head on the two fancied runners in the race, Rose Hill and Esstoora.

Both fillies have proved expensive to follow but although Rose Hill has had more chances, her form looks slightly superior. Marcus has had two stabs at getting her home and Delpech is back for his second try so it could be a game of cat and mouse between the two.

Esstoora, a 1-4 favourite, tried gamely behind Sheik’s Storm last time out but was unable to peg back Paul Gadsby’s runner.

These two look the pick of the race where only the recent trialist Escape Club could pose a threat.

Verdier has come well since arriving in Mark Dixon’s yard from the Cape and two runner-up placings finally led to victory when beating Impact Zone over 1950m at Scottsville.

He appeared to enjoy the extra two furlongs of that race and he can go in again in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap that heads the card although it is not an easy race. He gives weight all round but looks capable of going in again.

Amor Ardiente can be a difficult customer at times but has been consistent. A beaten favourite last run, and in the money at his last four starts, Belinda Impey has resorted to cheek pieces and they may be what’s needed to bring out the best in the gelding.

Likely favourite is Pure Logic who has started at the top of bookmaker’s boards at his last four outings, obliging once when touching off Coys at Scottsville.

The stable has been a little quiet of late but Pure Logic is never far back.

Course and distance specialist is Pure Valor. Four of his six wins have come on the poly, three over course and distance so Lowan Denysschen’s runner cannot be ignored in open event.

Shane Humby’s stable is starting to turn after a difficult time with coughs and colds and Roman Courtisan rounded off Sunday’s meeting with Marcus aboard. Humby and Marcus team up again with Moon Bird in the fourth. The lightly raced four-year-old was touched off by Gadget Man in his first start on the poly when sporting blinkers and has a strong chance in some fairly modest company.

Of the balance, Nauticus has his first run back from a trip to the Cape and although he has shown flashes of ability, he may just be short of peak fitness after a two-month break. Captain Cobalt on the other hand, was a smart maiden winner over course and distance when fitted with a tongue-tie and could be good enough to feature again.

Brett Crawford’s KZN satellite yard keeps simmering and Border Control can snap a string of seconds when dropping back a furlong in the fifth. The gelding has been up with the pace only to be run out of it late in his last three starts over course and distance and he could well prove a better proposition over this shorter trip.

War-King strikes as a likely danger as he is lightly raced and steps up in trip while the ‘old man’ of the race, Tuscan has been touched off over course and distance at his last two but his four-kilo claimer, Julius Mphanya, has moved to Port Elizabeth and replacement Diego De Gouveia’s 1.5kg claim may not be enough to get him home.

By Andrew Harrison