Ivan van Wyk saddled his first winner as a fully-fledged trainer when Putchini won at Scottsville last Sunday. Van Wyk, who was handed the reins by Chris Erasmus and trains out of Yellow Star Stud in the KZN Midlands, can follow up at the same venue this Sunday when another yard stalwart, Panza, lines up in the fifth.

If Van Wyk has learnt one thing from Erasmus, it is that horses that stay in their boxes don’t earn and Panza is just two shy of a half-century of racecourse appearances with four wins to his credit.

Panza has had three outings since returning from a lay-off and should strip at his peak on Sunday over what looks to be his optimum trip.

Last time out he was possibly a little disappointing when fading late behind the useful Wynkelder but prior to that ran the speedy grey Isca to within a length over course and distance. He is down in class from that effort and with a handy galloping weight should be a strong contender in what is a competitive handicap.

The two most likely to head the betting are Lloyd’s Legacy and Amazon King but Panza gets a fair amount of pudding from both and he could hold on to the line.

A set of blinkers appear to have settled the talented but often difficult Techno Captain and Paul Gadsby’s runner has a strong chance of recording a double in the seventh.

The gelding showed up well first run in blinkers when little more than two lengths back to Saint Marco over a mile. He was then stepped up to 2400m and put in a sustained finish to get the better of the visiting Icy Avalanche.

The six-horse opposition is headed by Paul Lafferty’s Double Clutch who has a lot going for him, being down in class, up in trip and down in the ratings to where could again be competitive.

Icy Avalanche has been a soldier for Tony Nassif, the Port Elizabeth ‘chuck-out’ winning twice and running a number of places for Nassif, including a close-up second to Techno Captain last time out.

Nassif has taken the seemingly easier route on Sunday, avoiding the MR 86 in favour of the MR 68, however he does take a corresponding rise in the weights.

He was only caught in the last couple of strides by Techno Captain and with Anthony Delpech engaged for the ride the inference is obvious.

The giant Haddington has come into his own since being sent over ground, finishing runner-up to the smart Brighteyebushytail before winning in commanding fashion next time out. Louis Goosen expressed a couple of reservations, not entirely sure that the gelding would see out the trip or whether apprentice Eric Ngwane could keep him together long enough over the extended trip as he is not an easy horse to settle. However, he only has a postage stamp on his back which will be a big plus.

Silent Obsession and Ideal Winter were involved in a ding-dong tussle over course and distance a fortnight back with Ideal Winter having to survive an objection, the luckless Silent Obsession losing out in the boardroom for the second time. The gelding only has one eye but he stays well and Keagan de Melo should be able to keep him out of trouble.

Silent Obsession has an each-way chance for Duncan Howells but two better propositions from the yard could come in the form of Chicago Beat in the sixth and Chica Musica in the last.

Chicago Beat has the more difficult task as he is not particularly well weighted in this Pinnacle Stakes event, but he seldom gives less than his best and the drop to 1400m could prove beneficial.

The Dazzler made a stunning start for James Goodman, beating a field of winners on debut in dazzling fashion – pun intended. He was unplaced on the poly in feature company next time out but back on turf was a close-up second over course and distance. He takes on stronger here but has a light weight and jumps from the inside gate which adds to his appeal.

Also in the mix is Redcarpet Captain who makes his debut for Mark Dixon after owner Brian Burnard recently decided to spread his horses among various trainers. Ironically Redcarpet Captain finished runner-up behind the Dixon-trained London Call last time out but after showing a glimpse of his best form he could go one better.

The Howells-trained Chica Musica made good improvement at her second outing and although she has a tricky draw she looks set to make good improvement in the ninth. Stable rider De Melo will in all likelihood have had the choice with Victory Cross in the same colours also in the race.

By Andrew Harrison