It is one of Turffontein Standside’s big race days on Saturday and punters will be looking to capture a slice of the big exotic pools.
The Grade 2 R1 million Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile is the headliner and New Predator could retain his crown.
New Predator
Last year he finished close up in the Jo’burg Spring Challenge in his pipe-opener and has done the same going into this year’s race. He is off a six point higher merit rating this season and has to carry topweight of 61kg, as opposed to 58,5kg last year. However, this year’s field is not nearly as star studded as it was last year and he jumps from a plum draw. He wore blinkers in his penultimate start in the Grade 1 weight for age Mercury Sprint over 1200m at Greyville and this allowed him to be up with the pace from the off before staying on for an excellent 1,1 length third. However, he has never worn them before over this trip, so them being declared it is a slight concern. However, his regular pilot Gavin Lerena should be able to keep him settled. Bella Sonata is also full of class and can be switched on and off, so she should be able to overcome her wide draw. On a line through Bela-Bela there is very little between her and New Predator.
The officially worst weighted horse in the race is Social Order, who is 4,5kg under sufferance. However, he caught the eye flying home after encountering severe traffic problems in the Grand Heritage and was not suited to the tight Inside track last time over 1600m. He will relish the Standside track with its long straight and has a plum draw under national log-leading jockey Lyle Hewitson. Hermoso Mundo has class and can use his big action to pass horses in the straight running fresh over a trip short of his best. The joint topweight Hat Puntano won two Grade 1s over a mile as a two-year-old in Argentina in the first half of last year and nothing went right for him in his SA debut, so he can be given another chance. Classify sneaks into the handicap with bottom weight and looks likely to relish the course and distance. Go Direct is capable of a strong finish and will be coming into his own being by Go Deputy.
Mac De Lago
French Navy, Mac De Lago and Tilbury Fort have the class to be involved, but all are making their seasonal reappearances. Irish Pride also has some class and is now one point lower in the merit ratings than his last win. Tahini stayed on well for third in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes over course and distance and can’t be ignored. Finchatton looks a touch high in the merit ratings. The 2014 winner Bezanova has his third run after a layoff and has pole position. Forest Fox would prefer 1400m and Top Shot has a tough task at the weights.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
Big Bear is the selection for the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. He impressed last time over 1450m on the Inside track and this big, galloping, progressive type will prefer this track and has a good draw. Surcharge has been most impressive in his last two starts over this trip at the Vaal, but is drawn 17 in his first start around the turn. Takingthepeace has shown a fine turn of foot in sprints and should enjoy the step up in trip. Wonderwall is best in at the weights on official merit ratings but will find it tough from a wide draw in fast going considering his front-running to handy style. Tammany Hall is a progressive galloper who should stay on resolutely from a draw of two. Purple Diamond has his seasonal reappearance but is a Grade 2 winner over this trip. Vicomte is an eye-catchingly long-strider and is the dark horse.
In the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m Hakeem has caught the eye before and will relish the course and distance, although Flying Free, Galactic Warrior, Zen Arcade and Kahal’s Legacy also have the class to contest the finish and Missouri is a dark horse.
By David Thiselton
