A compacted program sees an extraordinary 20 feature races staged around the country this weekend, setting up a buffet where horseplayers can gorge themselves on top quality fare. At Turffontein on Saturday, Hawwaam (speed score 116) and Queen Supreme (s/s 107 +) look much the best and are iron-clad picks to take out the G1 Champions Challenge and G1 Empress Club Stakes respectively. 

The other G1 on that card, the Computaform Sprint is tougher to select. If the front runners over-exert themselves maybe Chimichuri Run (s/s 113) can down those speedballs but plenty of luck and fine riding skills are required to get such late-running types home over the short cuts.  At best Chimichuri Run is able to blast 600m to finish sectionals in under 33 seconds which might just propel him past decelerating front-runners, if Gavin Lerena times it perfectly. 

Pace is a major determinant in race outcomes and again poses a conundrum in the G1 Gold Challenge over 1600m at Greyville on Sunday. A race of this calibre usually requires a speed figure of 111 + to win, which proven high-class horses such as last year’s winner and dual July victor, Do It Again (s/s 115) star miler, Vardy and middle distance ace, Rainbow Bridge (both 112’s) have attained. Normally, one would confidently expect the winner to come from this select group of proven G1 stand-outs. 

Though they are held safe when ranked on raw ability, only Cirillo and Twist of Fate, who regularly score 109’s, are comfortable racing upfront, so the pace may not be too taxing early on. Then jockeyship, positioning and ability to quicken become decisive. Dual Majorca Stakes winner Clouds Unfold (s/s 109) has great powers of acceleration so she also comes into the reckoning in what should be a fascinating tactical showdown. 

Triple Tiara heroine, Summer Pudding (s/s 102 +) and Lady of Steel (s/s 104) have gone 11 races between them without defeat. Something will have to give when they clash in the G1 Woolavington over 2000m. Both are undoubtedly very good yet there must be a lingering query over the formers ability to reproduce her best at a tighter circuit than her beloved Turffontein with it’s long straight where she can wind up steadily, whilst Lady of Steel has some stamina doubts stretching out to an extended route. 

Should the two principals falter, there are a number of back -up candidates with plausible chances. Driving Miss Daisy (s/s 96 +) ran laudable seconds in both the Cape Fillies Guineas and Paddock Stakes and will benefit with a good trip racing handy from a low draw in a field where only Mary O seems likely to press ahead in the early segments.  

Highveld raiders Victoria Paige and Marygold (s/s 101) sport similar profiles to each other having finished pretty close to Summer Pudding in the past and duly come into the equation. Kelpie is erratic and hard to catch right. An excellent run in the Majorca where she got an outstanding speed figure of 105 was followed by an underwhelming follow up. Brett Crawford and Anton Marcus connect at a 33% strike rate so this filly must be respected.  

Follow The Star (s/s 101) has a zippy turn of foot and should go nicely too. Talented deep closer, Labyrinth who was closing in behind long-shot, pace- presser Mary O and Mississippi Burning in a false run Fillies Guineas and the accomplished staying filly, Pomander can also run on for a share of the prizes. 

The Daily News (G1) has a proud history showcasing the talents of the best three year- old middle- distance performers around. This years’ crop seem tightly clustered – witness the blanket finish in the recent KZN Guineas when Wild Coast (s/s 104) mugged Padre Pio (s/s 104) on the wire with Golden Ducat (s/s 103 and Sachdev (s/s 102) nearby.  

The Cape Derby in February was similarly hard fought with Golden Ducat out-duelling Sachdev and this Daily News should be another close- run thing. The historic winning par score is 104 which six of the ten entrants seem capable of hitting or even exceeding. 

Add into the competitive mix, Dingaans winner Shango (s/s 106) and fellow Joburg invader, the SA Classic No 1, Got the Greenlight (s/s 103) who was most impressive last term in the Premier’s at this course. The race shapes up as a humdinger where casting a wide net in exotics seems a sensible strategy. 

Race 5, the G2 Tibouchina Stakes is an even more dangerous minefield. In this 1400m contest the anticipated pace is very fast with practically half the field including, Silvano’s Pride (s/s 103), Temple Grafin (s/s 105), Sidonie (s/s 98), Generous Lady (s/s 97) and Querari Ferrari (s/s 98) all likely to gun it from the jump. If the track is playing to speed on the day, then the winner might come from this group.  

However, a preponderance of early speed can sometimes lead to a pace meltdown teeing things up for a deep closer. Under this scenario, Spiritofthegroove (s/s 98) Gabor, Roy’s Riviera (s/s 102) Sleeping Single (s/s 95 ++) and Point of Sale (s/s 98 +) could get into it. This closely rated race is difficult to call with any conviction.  

Punters looking for more clear- cut opportunities can focus on Rio Querari in the Durban Dash which is Race 2 and Gurus Pride in Race 9. The consistent and well-performed son of Querari has reportedly thrived since being gelded and relocating to KZN so could prove the solution for high percentage duo, Justin Snaith and Anton Marcus.  

Guru’s Pride recently earned a fine figure of 101 in the KZN Guineas. Rather than tangle with rough contemporaries again, he now dips into calmer waters when contesting an MR 99 handicap over his preferred course and distance. Top hoop, Warren Kennedy is closing in on 200 winners for the season and is 2/2 on this Trippi gelding. Re-united again, they can complete their personal hat- trick.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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