Naafer and Vicomte clash in the PA
Selection, who dead-heated for fourth with Pocket Power in the 2007 Vodacom Durban July, just 0,45 lengths behind the winner. She has a featherweight and a good draw so should not be ignored.
Later, in a classy conditions plate over 1 600m, Tahini should not be ignored. She won a conditions plate over course and distance a year ago, despite returning from a layoff and being considerably under sufferance.
Her odds that day were 35-1 but she proved it was no fluke in March this year when winning a Pinnacle Stakes event over the same course and distance by four lengths at odds of 5-1.
Those have been her only two starts over course and distance and like last year she is returning from a layoff again.
However, the selection to win is Bi Pot, simply due to her being so well treated at the weights.
Geoff Woodruff is aiming this Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic runner up at the Summer Cup and holds her in high regard.
She is 0,5kg better off with Wind Chill tomorrow on official merit ratings and is at least 4kg better off with the rest of the field. Wind Chill will be improving being by Silvano, but this SA Oaks winner would likely prefer a touch further, so Tahini is chosen to finish second.
The classy topweight Fort Ember will be dangerous as a representative of the very much in form Paul Peter yard and Intergalactic is a classy distance suited sort making her comeback.
Social Order
The following race is a MR 91 Handicap where Social Order is chosen as the best bet of the day, although Sean Tarry is a little bit concerned about his suitability to the Inside track. This four-year-old Count Dubois gelding was travelling well throughout in the Grand Heritage over 1 475m last time out but encountered severe traffic problems at a crucial stage.
When he finally saw daylight he flew home for a 3,8 length fifth.
He will enjoy the step up in trip and has a nice draw of five with S’Manga Khumalo now taking over the ride.
Elevated was beaten 2,9 lengths by Social Order in the Grand Heritage and they face each other on the same terms .
However, he had no cover the whole way in that race and before that was a comfortable winner over Saturday’s course and distance. This well regarded sort wears first time blinkers and will be attempting to qualify for the Charity Mile and Summer Cup, so Anthony Delpech has his work cut out from a wide draw.
The topweight Unagi can be forgiven his last two runs and from pole position over his favourite course and distance will also be a big runner.
In race two over 1200m the first-timer Australian-bred Shufoog is most interesting being by Grade 1-winning sprinter Star Witness out of a multiple stakes-winning sprinter.
In race five over 2000m, Ali Bon Dubai looks to have been under rated by the handicapper and can use his fine turn of foot to make it a course and distance double and a career hattrick.
In the following race End Game makes little appeal at first sight, especially from a wide draw. However, this Silvano filly is well treated on her best form and should be running on strongly under Piere Strydom if bouncing back to her best.