Rainbow Bridge will face ten opponents when the Eric Sands-trained colt (Bernard Fayd’Herbe) puts his unbeaten record on the line in the World Sports Betting Matchem Stakes at Durbanville on Saturday. There has not been a bigger field for this Grade 3 test since Joshua’s Dream beat 12 home in 2007.

Some of the big names entered for the Progress Plates – including Langerman winner One World – will also get an outing, but only after a hectic day at the National Racing Bureau.

Candice Bass-Robinson hamishnivenphotography

Only four horses accepted for the male Progress Plate and just five for the female one with two-thirds of the nine runners coming from the Candice Bass-Robinson stable. Justin Snaith (2) and Vaughan Marshall (One World) were the only other trainers represented.

Snaith switched Miss Katalin to the WSB Diana Stakes and the two Plates were briefly combined only for trainers to report that they couldn’t get jockeys light enough as the fillies were to receive 2.5kg. Both Plates were then scrapped and the NRB introduced a MR 68 handicap to make an eight-race card. That too was scrapped and a revised Progress Plate (including One World and Kasimir) was put in its place.

The popular Barn market will be back on Saturday when the intention is to turn the meeting into a family day with attractions for children as well as braai facilities and the celebrated Jockeys’ Chase.

Justin Snaith, already leading the log by nearly R500 000, has been installed 11-20 favourite to retain his trainers’ championship. Three-time champion Sean Tarry (18-10) and Mike de Kock (7-1), who has won the title eight times, are the only others quoted by World Sports Betting.

Drill Hall winner Perovskia, unable to get a run in the Vodacom Durban July, has top Cape Town ambitions this season and Harold Crawford said: “The aim is the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate and, while I don’t yet know where he will start, he is now back in work.”

By Michael Clower