We’re on the starting grid for Champions Season 2024 and the Feature race action gets under way at Hollywoodbets Greyville this afternoon with the running of the R500 000 IOS Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m and the nation’s highest rated 3yo, Main Defender, will be looking to register his eighth career victory from only ten starts. But apart from horse racing of the highest quality, fans can look forward to a super day of entertainment for the whole family as well as an opportunity to win fabulous prizes.

Gates open at 10:00 and the first of ten races, the novel World Sports Betting Dash over 400m, is due off at 11:15.

Independent on Saturday (IOS) Drill Hall Stakes – 1400m:

Ten horses have been declared to run in the 2024 renewal of the IOS Drill Hall Stakes, the traditional Champions Season curtain raiser, but on current form Main Defender stands out head and shoulders above his nine rivals. The brilliant 3yo son of Pathfork trained by Tony Peter recently stormed to a facile victory in the Horse Chestnut Stakes (Gr 1) over 1600m at Turffontein but Main Defender is no stranger to Hollywoodbets Greyville, having won here as juvenile last season.

The official handicappers’ ratings suggest the Drill Hall Stakes is far more open than what appears at first glance, but Main Defender’s progress this term has been nothing short of spectacular and he is confidently expected to add the Drill Hall Stakes to his growing list of Feature race successes.

Al Muthana, former winner of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate (Gr 1) at Kenilworth, is rated to go close and the 6yo son of Deep Field finished a close third in this race last year. He cannot be lightly discounted but will need to produce his very best form to lower the colours of Main Defender. Royal Aussie is also highly rated and was a good winner of the Jet Master Stakes in his most recent outing. His record over 1400m is impressive and he gets the services of Champion jockey-elect Richard Fourie.

Cousin Casey has not won for 532 days and was more than five lengths adrift of Main Defender in the Horse Chestnut Stakes. After going wrong subsequently in the Champions Challenge, today’s race represents a fresh start for Sean Tarry’s charge who has always shown a distinct liking for the City track. He will probably need this run but hopefully can recapture the form he showed earlier in his career and Cousin Casey’s progress through Champions Season will be monitored with keen interest.

Humdinger and Gimmeanotherchance, representing the Mike De Kock stable, are both fit and well and could get into the mix as far as the minor money is concerned. However, it looks very difficult to oppose Main Defender and he is the rock-solid selection to take home the lion’s share of the purse.

WSB betting: 7/10 Main Defender; 6/1 Royal Aussie, Humdinger; 8/1 Gimmeanotherchance; 12/1 and better the balance.

World Sports Betting Guineas – 1600m:

Sandringham Summit, the Equus Champion Juvenile of last season, has yet to finish out of the money in his career and was an impressive winner of the Hawaii Stakes over 1400m at Turffontein a month ago when beating the highly talented Lucky Lad by more than a length. Lucky Lad franked the form by winning the Senor Santa Stakes on the Highveld last week and the prospect of seeing Sandringham Summit, Main Defender and Lucky Lad going head-to-head in the Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge on 8 June is mouth-watering.

But back to the immediate race in question, today’s R500 000 WSB Guineas over 1600m, and the spotlight falls firmly on Sandringham Summit who is widely expected to be too strong for his six rivals. The classy son of Gimmethegreenlight is unbeaten at Greyville which includes a victory in the Premier’s Champion Juvenile Stakes (Gr 1) over today’s track and trip. Gavin Lerena takes the ride for trainer David Nieuwenhuizen and the report from the yard is that Sandringham Summit is in very good order heading into the race.

Mid Winter Wind is an interesting runner, having won his last four starts on the bounce. The Sean Tarry-trained son of What A Winter is clearly on the upgrade and tackles the distance for the first time, but the manner in which he has finished off his last two 1400m races suggests there is every chance he will be effective over 1600m. That he has been nominated for the 2200m Hollywoodbets Durban July is evidence that Tarry believes we have not yet seen the best of Mid Winter Wind.

Snow Pilot and Green With Envy represent Western Cape Grade 1 Classic-winning form, with Snow Pilot having been victorious in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas over 1600m and Green With Envy coming out on top in the SplashOut Cape Derby over 2000m. Green With Envy may just need today’s run and would appreciate a tougher test of stamina, but Snow Pilot has to be taken seriously and he could certainly threaten his more fancied Highveld-based rivals. Based on the outcome of the Cape Guineas, Snow Pilot appears to have the measure of his stable companion Hluhluwe while both Navajo Nation and Royal Edition will need to significantly up their game if they are to trouble the judge.

WSB betting: 14/10 Sandringham Summit; 28/10 Green With Envy; 4/1 Snow Pilot; 5/1 Hluhluwe; 11/2 Mid Winter Wind; 50/1 Navajo Nation; 80/1 Royal Edition.

World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas – 1600m:

It’s North vs South in this year’s renewal of the R500 000 WSB Fillies Guineas with Double Grand Slam and Rascova the leading protagonists from the Western Cape and Let’s Go Now and White Pearl flying the flag for the Highveld. The manner in which Double Grand Slam won the Umzimkhulu Stakes (Gr 3) over 1400m at the end of March suggests she will prove very difficult to beat this afternoon. She came home lonely with more than five lengths to spare and it’s difficult to envisage Rascova bridging the gap. On previous form there was not much to choose between the pair but Double Grand Slam has clearly improved a great deal over the past few months and should prove too strong for Rascova.

Let’s Go Now and White Pearl are clearly well above the average and either could be good enough to topple Double Grand Slam. White Pearl has finished second on far more occasions than trainer Mike De Kock cares to remember and the daughter of Danon Platina would not be winning out of turn. Let’s Go Now has been tried over a variety of distances but appears at her best over 1400m/1600m and her last win came at the expense of White Pearl when they finished one-two in the Three Troikas at Turffontein in January.

Minogue carries KwaZulu Natal’s hopes of victory and, although progressive, she has many lengths to find with Double Grand Slam and may have to settle for a minor placing at best. Tony Rivalland’s Celtic Beauty won the Scarlet Lady last time but steps up in class today and may find the opposition a little too hot to handle. The balance of the 10-strong field appear to be making up the numbers and victory for any of these would be a major shock.

It’s not easy to measure the Western Cape form against the Highveld form but red-hot favourite Double Grand Slam should prove a tough nut to crack and is the selection to notch up her fifth career victory.

WSB betting: 7/20 Double Grand Slam; 6/1 White Pearl; 13/2 Rascova; 16/1 and better the balance.

David Thiselton

The Championship season has come to an end on the Highveld, but today’s ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside has still attracted some decent horses.

The highest rated race is a MR 99 for fillies and mares over 1160m and Cullinan Blue is the stand out at first sight. However, the yard have pointed out that this will be a preparation outing for the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint so it is not going to be easy for her to carry 62kg against older horses after a layoff of three and a half months. Exchange Student was thought of as good enough to travel down to Cape Town, so could represent good value jumping from a favourable high draw. A line can be drawn through her last start as she jumped from draw eight out of eight on the Inside track and was then hampered in the straight. Flowerbomb drops from a Gr 3 down to an ordinary handicap and could also bounce back. Law Of Success beat Flowerbomb in that Gr 3 but she does have a low draw which could be against her. Chrome Tourmaline should make her presence felt despite a low draw of two. However, this is the most tricky race on the card and could be one in which to either take a chance and banker the classy Cullinan Blue or include the whole field. 

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Intro looks the one to beat as she has never been disgraced against decent sorts and now has a plum high draw over a suitable trip. Pointer looks the main danger as she should improve after a good debut and also has a nice high draw. Oxalis made a good debut over 1450m and looks to have plenty of ability. She didn’t show early pace on debut and finished well, so the step down in trip will not be in her favour, but she should be flying at the finish. Bellissivar ran an improved race last time to finish second, but it was an uninspiring workriders maiden field. Golden Argo was just behind her in that race and could earn again.

In the second leg over 1600m Rossore Finale finished a length behind the improving Judgement Day the last time he tried this trip and has a good draw. He was unplaced over 2000m last time and will enjoy the step down in trip despite being by Ideal World out of a Fort Wood mare. Deception Pass, also by Ideal World, is knocking hard too and can make a bold bid over an ideal trip from a fair draw. Callaburn can’t be ignored as a hard knocker from 1600m up to 2000m, although he does have a tricky draw. Sakurajima has run two good races and this two-year-old comes from the Pettigrew yard so should start improving and is distance suited. Battleofbarberton is drawn in pole and could also be in the shake up.

In the sixth race over 2400m Silvano’s Song is interesting stepped up in trip, being by Silvano, although his Captain Al dam’s only win in a handful of starts was over 1450m so he is not a certainty to stay. He was staying on dourly over 1800m last time though and has gone close over 2000m before. Claw could still be anything as a stayer, having won well when stepped up to 2000m in just his third start. He has a fair draw too. Mambo Come Tesio is progressive and makes most appeal of those to have raced. Arlington Action bounced back to win well last time, but is three points higher and this field looks tougher. To The Rescue has ability, but it has taken a while for the penny to drop and he is the dark horse. Crepuscolo and Youcanthurrylove are capable and this looks to be another race to go as wide as possible in.

In the seventh over 1400m the talented Jury’s Out beat a decent field last time over this trip and although 2,5kg out with the best weighted in this Middle Stakes event, he looks progressive and should make his presence felt. The well bred Celestial City has class but has to overcome a wide draw. Bonete is interesting dropped in trip because she won easily on debut over 1450m. Tamarisk Tree was not disgraced in his Cape Town campaign and the blinkers are off after not working last time. The best weighted Good Queen Bess has a shout from pole position.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Redcherry Lane won on debut despite being ridden by a workrider having his first ride and she is well bred and looks the part so can go close off a 74 merit rating, although she does not look to be a straight forward customer.  Green Flash is well thought of and won well last time to make it two wins from four starts and must be included in all bets too.          

Andrew Harrison

The Gr2 Independent On Saturday Dill Hall Stakes, supported by the Gr1 World Sports Betting Guineas and Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, is the traditional start to South Africa’s three-month Champions Season where most of the country’s top horses are out to round off their season on a high.

Today’s feature races are important warm-ups to the Gr1 races and all three have attracted cracking fields. Highveld sensation Main Defender was a cracking winner of the recent Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at WFA and he looks the part in the Drill Hall. 

Also entries in the Drill Hall were Sandringham Summit and Green With Envy, but both drew the two outside gates and they defected to the Guineas where they had better draws and face their own age group.

Main Defender is proven in Gr1 open company and the Drill Hall is there for the taking. Justin Snaith got his winter campaign off to a cracking start but the stable has had a few hiccups of late. However, Royal Aussie is useful on his day but will need to be at his best to match Main Defender. 

Mike de Kock sends out the smart mare Humdinger who has finished runner-up in her last three in feature company. She is no stranger to this course and goes well this trip. Stuart Ferrie’s runs Gladatorian who is unbeaten since returning from a break but does take on top class opposition. 

Veteran trainer Ricky Maingard saddles former Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge winner Al Muthana and Waterberry Lane. Current form is not inspiring but both are capable of a big effort on their day and are worth keeping an eye on in the market.

In the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas Double Grand Slam will be a warm favourite after demolishing a useful field in the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes, her first look at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The opposition is a lot stronger here but Justin Snaith filly has come into her own of late and a repeat will see her difficult to beat. Tony Rivalland’s filly Celtic Beauty has the worst of the draw but shows plenty of promise. She may prefer it a touch further but should give a good account. A possible threat to Double Grand Slam could be Mike de Kock’s charge White Pearl. She boasts consistent Highveld feature form and was only three lengths back to the crack colt Sandringham Summit in the G2 Hawaii Stakes. She has drawn well and the step up in trip could now be what she is looking for. Rascova looks well held by Double Grand Slam on their recent meetings but she does appear to be capable of improving on those efforts. 

The Gr2 WSB Guineas has attracted a cracking line-up and the race should give an indication of what to expect over the next three months. The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Sandringham Summit was a convincing winner of the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes beating Lucky Lad who has since franked that form. He is a top class galloper and the mile is right up his alley. Mid Winter Wind faces something of an acid test as Sean Tarry’s gelding comes off a string of four straight wins. His rating jumped from 96 to 114 after his most recent success and the extra furlong should suit. He could give Sandringham Summit a testing race. Green With Envy was a spectacular winner of the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, coming from way off the pace to win going away. However, he faces a crack miler in Sandringham Summit and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 is a more likely target for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge. That said he boasts plenty of class. Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot was in need of his local debut effort and with that run under his girth he should strip a lot fitter tomorrow.

The World Sports Betting Dash kicks off the card and is a novelty race over 400m. Gate speed will be of prime importance and Ndaka fits the bill. He is super quick and with only 52kg to shoulder he must be a big runner. Sabatini is also a quick filly and loves this course. Maquette is no slouch in the speed department and should be involved. 

Air Of Pride has been knocking on the door for some time now and should be good enough to kick off the PA. She meets a modest field and will never get a better chance barring a first time ‘springer’. Sweet Julia should be back-up. She went down narrowly over course and distance last start and now gets first time cheek pieces. She looks the biggest threat to the top selection. 

The first two legs of the Pick 6 are wide open. In the first leg Sweeter Than Honey has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance but faces strong opposition possibly headed by Long Street who has been improving steadily of late and looks primed for this while Her Royalty jumps in trip but was a smart second in a sprint at just her second start. She has the best of the draw. Flying Reign Storm is overdue but the extra furlong should suit. 

The second leg is equally tricky but Basie Raakvat has finally come to hand and was a close-up second last time out. A repeat should see him go close again. Hoodwink has shown up well in both starts and was only run out of it late last time out when jumping from a wide gate. He should be at his peak now. Ibiza Night is never far back and has improved of late when switched to the turf. He has a tricky draw but should go well again. 

A competitive race rounds off the Pick 6, the race having attracted a more than useful field. Royal Swan Master was tested to the full when beating Ancient World on the poly last time out, but he came from a seemingly hopeless position to get up on the line. Back on turf with and extra furlong to run he fits the bill. Flag Man shed his maiden beating the useful Shoot The Rapids the latter acquitting himself well in Highveld feature company and also comes strongly into the picture. Ancient World was only caught late by Royal Swan Master and he is tried and tested over the trip. Get Impressed won well when making his local debut and comes off some useful Cape form. He has a big weight and a wide draw but is capable of following up.

RACE 1     

2 BELIEVE IN FATE 1 BEYNAC 7 TOKYO MEDAGLIA 3 BOURBON RESERVE

Preview: 2 BELIEVE IN FATE made a good debut and the form has been franked. 1 BEYNAC is well bred and can improve on his fair debut. 7 TOKYO MEDAGLIA is by William Longsword and is a full brother to the useful Bon Vivant. 3 BOURBON RESERVE is by What A Winter out of a Kingsbarns mare. (David Thiselton 2-1-7-3)

RACE 2     

7 SILVER PARASOL 5 RODEO DRIVE 4 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY  8 TAKE YOUR PLACE

Preview: 7 SILVER PARASOL is well bred and is drawn on the right side so can do well after a fair debut. 5 RODEO DRIVE ran second on debut and the winner went on to win a Gr 3. 4 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY’s third on debut has been franked by the winner finishing third in a Gr 3 next time out.  8 TAKE YOUR PLACE has shown enough to earn here. (David Thiselton 7-5-4-8)

RACE 3     

10 WILD AT WAR 8 HALCYON 9 JOHNNY APPLESEED 1 BREGARDT

Preview: 10 WILD AT WAR disappointed last time but the form has worked out very well and he is the one to beat. 8 HALCYON is by Gimmthegreenlight and is a half-brother to the three-time winning sprinter Axl. 9 JOHNNY APPLESEED is by Admiral Kitten out of the useful 98 merit rated Australian-bred sprinter Effortless Reward. 1 BREGARDT has shown enough to be able to earn another cheque. (David Thiselton 10-8-9-1)

RACE 4     

9 INTRO 11 POINTER 10 OXALIS GOLD 8 BELLISSIVAR

Preview: 9 INTRO has hard-knocking form against soe decent sorts and can get off the mark here. 11 POINTER made a good debut and should improve so has a chance. 10 OXALIS GOLD made a good debut over further and is interesting stepped down to a sprint. 8 BELLISSIVAR ran an improved race last time to finish second but it was an uninspiring work-riders maiden field. (David Thiselton 9-11-10-8)

RACE 5     

1 ROSSORE FINALE 2 DECEPTION PASS  4 CALLABURN 10 SAKURAJIMA

Preview: 1 ROSSORE FINALE has been knocking on the door and will enjoy the step back to 1600m from a good draw. 2 DECEPTION PASS ran second to a fair sort over 1400m last time and can make another bold bid here. 4 CALLABURN is usually in the money but this is sharper than ideal and he has a wide draw. 10 SAKURAJIMA has run two good races and is distant suited and has a better draw than last time. (David Thiselton 1-2-4-10)

RACE 6     

7 SILVANO’S SONG 4 CLAW 2 MAMBO COME TESIO 3 ARLINGTON ACTION

Preview: 7 SILVANO’S SONG is hard-knocking and was close to a fair sort last time over 1800m and has a chance of staying this trip being by Silvano albeit out of a Captain Al mare whose only win in a handful of starts was over 1450m. 4 CLAW won a good race when stepped up to 2000m and should enjoy this trip too. 2 MAMBO COME TESIO is a progressive sort and he can go close over a suitable course and distance. 3 ARLINGTON ACTION is always capable of popping up and he is just three points higher for his last win. (David Thiselton 7-4-2-3)

RACE 7     

4 JURY’S OUT 3 CELESTIAL CITY 5 BONETE 6 TAMARISK TREE

Preview: 4 JURY’S OUT beat a decent field over this trip last time and can continue to progress. 3 CELESTIAL CITY is well bred and has some class but does have to overcome a wide draw. 5 BONETE drops in trip and could attempt to dominate from the front. 6 TAMARISK TREE wasn’t disgraced in a couple of her runs in the strong centre of Cape Town and has chance if producing her best here. (David Thiselton 4-3-5-6)

RACE 8     

1 CULLINAN BLUE 4 EXCHANGE STUDENT 2 FLOWERBOMB 9 LAW OF SUCCESS

Preview: 1 CULLINAN BLUE is a useful sprinter in the making and has a good opportunity here. 4 EXCHANGE STUDENT is better than her last start, her first back from Cape Town, and she could bounce back. 2 FLOWERBOMB has the ability to be in the shake up and this is her easiest task for sometime.  9 LAW OF SUCCESS is a decent sprinter and could make her presence felt. (David Thiselton 1-4-2-9) 

RACE 9     

7 REDCHERRY LANE 2 GREEN FLASH 9 CITYSCAPE 1 WAR QUEEN

Preview: 7 REDCHERRY LANE appears to be a difficult customer but is well bred and looks the part and she can follow up on her debut win off a mere 74 merit rating. 2 GREEN FLASH is well thought of and can rise above her current 83 merit rating. 9 CITYSCAPE has enough form to have a chance here. 1 WAR QUEEN is drawn on the right side and can make amends for a disappointing run last time. (David Thiselton 7-2-9-1) 

RACE  10    

8 DUKE OF ROCK 6 QUICK TRIP 9 KINSHIN SHA 5 NKANDLA GOLD

Preview: 8 DUKE OF ROCK only just failed last time and can make amends. 6 QUICK TRIP is in good form and should be right there. 9 KINSHIN SHA is consistent but does have the tricky number one draw. 5 NKANDLA GOLD goes for a hattrick and could do it but has to overcome a six point raise and faces a stronger looking field. (David Thiselton 8-6-9-5) 

RACE 1

6 NDAKA   3 SABATINI   8 MAQUETTE   2 CHOCOLATE SOLDIER

Summary: This 400m dash is wide open and gate speed will be of prime importance. NDAKA (6) is super quick and with only 52kg to shoulder he must be a big runner. SABATINI (3) is also a quick filly and loves this course. MAQUETTE (8) is no slouch in the speed department and should be involved. CHOCOLATE SOLDIER (2) is Corne Spies’ only runner and he usually has them primed. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-8-2).

RACE 2

2 TWENTY ONE MAY   3 BJORN IRONSIDE   4 LITTLEBLACKGEM   9 GALACTUS

Summary: TWENTY ONE MAY (2) made good improvement at long odds second time out. He should improve further. BJORN IRONSIDE (3) was not far back in feature company when making his debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth. He should be right there. LITTLEBLACKGEM (4) found market support on debut and ran the hot favourite close. She does take on males. GALACTUS (9) is a well-bred first timer and one to watch in the market. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-4-9).

RACE 3

3 AN AIR OF PRIDE   9 SWEET JULIA   10 ELUSIVE BELLE   1 ICY ELEANOR

Summary: AN AIR OF PRIDE (3) has been knocking on the door for some time now. She meets a modest field here and will never get a better chance barring a first time ‘springer’. SWEET JULIA (9) went down narrowly over course and distance last start and now gets first time cheek pieces. She looks the biggest threat to the top selection. ELUSIVE BELLE (10) is seldom far back over further. Richard Fourie stays with the ride which is a big plus. ICY ELEANOR (1) makes her debut but the stable is cautiously bullish that she can make the frame.  (Andrew Harrison: 3-9-10-1).

RACE 4

8 SWEETER THAN HONEY   3 LONG STREET   1 HER ROYALTY   5 FLYING REIGN STORM

Summary: SWEETER THAN HONEY (8) has been consistent of late and goes well over course and distance. LONG STREET (3) has been improving steadily of late and looks primed for this. HER ROYALTY (1) jumps in trip but was a smart second in a sprint at just her second start. She has the best of the draws. FLYING REIGN STORM (5) is overdue but the extra furlong should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 8-3-1-5).

RACE 5

7 BASIE RAAKVAT   3 HOODWINKED   11 IBIZA NIGHT   8 IRON MONGER

Summary: BASIE RAAKVAT (7) has finally come to hand and was a close-up second last time out. A repeat should see him go close again. HOODWINKED (3) has shown up well in both starts and was only run out of it late last time out when jumping from a wide gate. He should be at his peak now. IBIZA NIGHT (11) is never far back and has improved of late when switched to the turf. He has a tricky draw but should go well again. IRON MONGER (8) has shown some recent improvement. He was closing late last start and a repeat will see him in the firing line. (Andrew Harrison: 7-3-11-8).

RACE 6

7 MAIN DEFENDER   1 ROYAL AUSSIE   7 HUMDINGER   6 GLADATORIAN

Summary: MAIN DEFENDER (3) was a cracking winner of the recent Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at WFA. He will be hard to beat given that form. ROYAL AUSSIE (1) is useful on his day but will need to be at his best to match Main Defender. HUMDINGER (7) is a smart filly and has finished runner-up in her last three in feature company. She is no stranger to this course and goes well this trip. GLADATORIAN (6) is unbeaten since returning from a break but does take on top class opposition. However, he should not be far off them. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-7-6).

RACE 7

5 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   2 WHITE PEARL   10 CELTIC BEAUTY   4 RASCOVA

Summary: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (5) has come into her own of late and was a runaway winner when making her local debut. A repeat will see her difficult to beat. CELTIC BEAUTY (10) has the worst of the draw but shows plenty of promise. She may prefer it a touch further but should give a good account. WHITE PEARL (2) has consistent Highveld feature form and was only three lengths back to the crack colt Sanderingham Summit in the G2 Hawaii Stakes. She has drawn well and the step up in trip should suit. RASCOVA (4) looks well held by Double Grand Slam on their recent meetings but she does appear to be capable of improving on recent showings. (Andrew Harrison: 5-10-2-4).

RACE 8

2 SANDERINGHAM SUMMIT   6 MID WINTER WIND   3 GREEN WITH ENVY   4 SNOW PILOT

Summary: SANDERINGHAM SUMMIT (2) was a convincing winner of the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes beating Lucky Lad who has since franked that form. He is a top class galloper and the mile is right up his alley. MID WINTER WIND (6) comes off a string of four straight wins and his rating jumped from 96 to 114 after his most recent success. The extra furlong should suit and he could give Sanderingham Summit a testing race. GREEN WITH ENVY (3) was a spectacular winner of the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, coming from off the pace to win going away. However, he faces a crack miler in Sanderingham Summit and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 is a more likely target for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge. Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner SNOW PILOT (4) was in need of his local debut effort and with that run under his girth he should strip a lot fitter. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-3-4).

RACE 9

8 ROYAL SWAN MASTER   1 FLAG MAN   12 ANCIENT WORLD   9 SHOOT THE RAPIDS

Summary: Tough race to round off the Pick 6 with many in with chances. ROYAL SWAN MASTER (8) was tested to the full when beating ANCIENT WORLD (12) on the poly last time out, but he came from a seemingly hopeless position to get up on the line. Back on turf with and extra furlong to run he fits the bill. FLAG MAN (1) shed his maiden beating the useful SHOOT THE RAPIDS (9) the latter acquitting himself well in Highveld feature company and also comes strongly into the picture. Ancient World was only caught late by Royal Swan Master and he is tried and tested over the trip. GET IMPRESSED (13) won well when making his local debut and comes off some useful Cape form. He has a big weight and a wide draw but is capable of following up. (Andrew Harrison: 8-1-12-9-13).

RACE 10

5 JAZZ CAFÉ   4 AFRICAN BEAT   6 BALLROOMBLISS   11 PINSTRIPE

Summary:  JAZZ CAFÉ (5) won well first up out of the maidens. She steps up in trip but is bred for the distance and can follow up. AFRICAN BEAT (4) has only once finished out of the money in 15 starts. She goes well over ground and will be a big threat to the first selection. BALLROOM BLISS (6) was not far back in feature company last time out and goes well over the trip. PINSTRIPE (11) found her last start too far and will be better suited to this trip with a handy galloping weight. (Andrew Harrison: 5-4-6-11).