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
