ROYAL VICTORY
kg
1
Winner of the Betway Summer Cup and Premier’s Champions Challenge, both Grade 1 races over 2000m at Turffontein, this Pathfork gelding has improved markedly as a four-year-old. He had the ideal warm-up when producing a strong finish to run third behind Dave The King in a Pinnacle Stakes and is undoubtedly a contender for top honours.
BARBARESCO
kg
2
Was the victim of acute interference in the Daily News 2000 and did well to finish third behind Green With Envy. Now 2.5kg better off for a 2.60-length beating, so there should be little between them now. Gavin Lerena is riding at the top of his game and this Gimmethegreenlight three-year-old must come into the reckoning.
WITHOUT QUESTION
kg
Ran a cracker in the Cape Town Met when third behind Double Superlative and has had two excellent warm-up races. Finished a three-length third behind Future Swing in the Grade 2 World Sports Betting 1900 and is now 4.5kg better off. One for Trifectas and Quartets.
FUTURE SWING
kg
4
Winner of the Grade 2 WSB 1900, but runner-up Oriental Charm, Master Redoubte (third) and Without A Question are weighted to turn the tables. However, this Futura gelding is the mount of “wunderkind” Richard Fourie, who has the Midas touch at the moment. Must be viewed as a lively contender.
GREEN WITH ENVY
kg
5
Unbeaten since winning the Grade 3 Politician Stakes and that sequence includes two Grade 1 victories - the Cape Derby and the Daily News 2000. Has a remarkable turn of foot and showed his fighting qualities when refusing to surrender in the Daily News. Highly talented colt, a worthy favourite and the one to beat.
SHOEMAKER
kg
6
Looked to be a star in the making when winning his first two starts but has been disappointing since then. Looks to be regaining form and did well to finish a 1.20-length second to Oriental Charm in the Grade 3 Cup Trial but is now 3kg worse off and looks unlikely to reverse the placings.
ARAGOSTA
kg
7
Has been showing his best form in staying races of late so could find 2200m a touch sharp these days. He finished a one-length second behind Future Pearl in the Grade 3 TAB Gold Derby over 2400m but is now 1kg worse off. Place chance.
PURPLE PITCHER
kg
8
Courageous front-runner and winner of both the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m and Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m at Turffontein. If he can get to the front and lead at his preferred pace, he could be very hard to catch under a light weight. Not one to take lightly.
WINCHESTER MANSION
kg
9
He was well handicapped when winning last year’s race with just 53kg on his back and still looks decently weighted as a four-yearold with just 3.5kg more. He ran well when a 0.50-length second to Royal Victory in the Premier’s Champions Challenge and is now 0.5kg better off, but has not raced since.
SEE IT AGAIN
kg
10
Strong favourite to win this race last year and only found well-handicapped Winchester Mansion 0.25 lengths too good. They meet at the same weight differential this time, but this four-year-old colt is a year older now and has had a warm-up run, putting up a great performance when third in the Gold Challenge. Huge contender and expected to be in the firing line.
ORIENTAL CHARM
kg
11
Runner-up behind Future Swing in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 and winner of the Grade 3 Cup Trial. He loves to go forward and could go very close if allowed to dictate at his own pace. He is well weighted with re-opposing runners from his last two races, but faces a stronger challenge from several others in the field. Place chance.
SON OF RAJ
kg
12
Won the Grade 1 SA Derby last year in spectacular fashion, but did not repeat anything close to that form for quite a while. Then changed stables in April and in his first run from his new home, he finished a one-length third in the Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein. That was a most encouraging run and he could surprise if back to best.
MERIDIUS
kg
13
Came back to best last time with a victory in the Grade 3 Jubilee Handicap over 1800m at Turffontein. He also has won his only race at Greyville, but will really need to raise his game to a new level to be a contender in this field. Do well to place.
MASTER REDOUTE
kg
14
Finished a 1.70-length third behind Future Swing in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 and is now 4kg better off, which is more than enough to reverse that result. That form puts him in the same realm as Oriental Charm and Without Question, so he must have some sort of chance. Overall will do well to place.
COUSIN CASEY
kg
15
Has loads of ability, but many pundits believe he is not fully effective at 2200m, which is supported by only one fourth place in three starts over 2000m and upwards. He is in good form, although his runner-up finishes in both the Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m and the Gold Challenge over 1600m seem to support that he is better over shorter.
DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE
kg
16
Caused a massive upset when winning the Grade 1 Cape Town Met, but disappointed in his comeback run in a Pinnacle Stakes over 1600m. It was a race he was weighted to win with ease, but he could finish only a 5.65-length fourth. Reunited with Met jockey Daniel Muscutt, but will need to improve to be a threat this time.
FLAG MAN
kg
17
Has a huge reputation and pushed Green With Envy all the way to the wire in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000. That race was run at a muddling pace which could have benefitted this three-year-old gelding. A wide draw is not in his favour and he could find this race a lot tougher, but he’s 0.5kg better off with Green With Envy, which puts him in with a huge chance.
FUTURE PEARL
kg
18
Brilliant stayer last season and pulled off the “gold treble” in feature races over 3000m and 3200m. After a number of disappointing runs he bounced back to his best with an emphatic victory in the Grade 3 TAB Gold Derby over 2400m. Might find this company a touch too strong over 2200m, but do not leave out of the Quartet.
HLUHLUWE
kg
3
Useful three-year-old but is questionable over the distance. He looks well held by Green With Envy on previous meetings, despite the weight turnaround.
HOTARUBI
kg
Has been consistent in the three-year-old classics but looks well held by both Green With Envy and Purple Pitcher.