Justin Snaith is bullish ahead of Saturday’s huge Rising Sun meeting at Greyville and will be out to land a big race treble.

In the big one, the Grade 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge, he runs Snowdance and Copper Force.

He said, “Snowdance didn’t take well to being under the lights for the first time last time, it freaked her out a bit especially in the parade ring, and Bernard knew he was in trouble when going down to the start.”

The filly tore off in the race, the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, and was caught in the shadow of the post by Fiorella.

Snaith continued, “But she has come on lengths for the run and I wouldn’t be running her if I didn’t think she had a good chance.”

Snowdance (left) Fiorela (right) – Candiese Marnewick

He said, “Copper Force didn’t raise a gallop last time as he got a lot of kick back and hated it. But he will strip fitter and the racetrack will probably be in good nick on Saturday, so don’t surprised to see him running on very well. He needed it last time and is a bit in and out but I think I have him spot on.”

He runs Vodacom Durban July favourite African Night Sky and Platinum Prince in the Grade 3 Cup Trial over 1800m and said, “They are both doing very well. They were both unlucky last time in the 1900 and from these draws will both have to have luck in running again.”

He reckoned African Night Sky would have to be dropped out from his draw and pointed out at Greyville it was tough to make up ground rom such a draw but he expected both horses to be fighting out the finish.

His pair Star Express and Gimme Six have both proven their liking for Greyville and will go into the Grade 2 Tibouchina over 1400m fit and well. They are able to turn it on so will be big runners despite wide draws.

He was hoping for positive returns to form for Quinlan and Sir Frenchie in the Durban Dash ahead of a target race on Vodacom Durban July day, but admitted he did not fancy either of them “too strongly.”

However, he expected a big run from Dynamic Diana in the Beach Beauty Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m because with horses going for other races she had ended up reasonably well weighted.

By David Thiselton