Surcharge has the action
THE Classic meeting at Turffontein tomorrow features three Grade 1s, four Grade 3’s and a Listed race and is a meeting not to be missed.
Surcharge’s shocking luck with draws has continued into the R2 million Grade 1 SA Classic over 1 800m, but he can be easily switched on and off so Piere Strydom will have a chance of finding a good position and in the straight the horse can then use his big action to reel the others in.
Roy’s Had Enough is coming off two strong-finishing wins over 1600m on the Greyville turf and like Surcharge is relaxed in the running and has a big action. His granddam won the Australian Oaks so he should stay the trip.
Noble Secret is a big, rangy sort who will be improving all the time and from a good draw will be dangerous.
Another big runner is the Paul Petertrained Majestic Mambo, who can afford to be dropped out as he has an exceptional turn of foot. He is unbeaten in three starts over this trip and appeared to hate the fast ground in the Gauteng Guineas, so can bounce back on probable more forgiving ground.
Royal Crusade
Royal Crusade will enjoy the trip and being by Silvano will be improving. Those are the five most fancied runners. Mike de Kock holds the aces in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m.
Silver Thursday is crying out for this trip and further.
This Silvano filly has drawn ten and Anthony Delpech will be looking to find a position from which she can use her sustained run in.
Takingthepeace is a long-striding sort who produced a strong finish from well back in the GFG. On running style she looks likely to get the trip, although on pedigree there is a slight doubt.
The KZN raider Roy’s Riviera stays on well and this well-bred sort has strengthened, so she is the dark horse.
Folk Dance has a fine action but as her tendency to race a bit strongly has cost her from wide draws over 1 600m, she will need luck from draw nine over this step up in trip.
Secret Potion is a long-striding sort who takes a while to unwind in the straight. However, when she finds her feet she finishes strongly and is still improving, so she could be the best value outsider from a plum draw of three as she will likely relish the faster pace of a Grade 1 event. Fiorella’s last run can be ignored as a virus had laid her yard low at the time. The KZN Captain Al filly has shown good speed over 1 400m and has stayed on well twice over 1 600m behind the top class Hashtagyolo. Her dam won the Caradoc Gold Cup, so she is an interesting contender.
Flichity By Farr
Flichity By Farr usually starts slowly and finishes strongly but overcoming a high draw here will be tough, although the Alyson Wright yard are positive based on her homework at caretaker Geoff Woodruff ’s yard.
Those are the preferred choices, but Sean Tarry’s runners should also be considered considering the yard has hit a purple patch.
Legal Eagle should clinch his sixth career weight for age Grade 1 in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes from a plum draw of three.
The two fillies Orchid Island and Nother Russia have class and should give some cheek.