Amazing racing weekend in store

After having been deprived of horse racing for more than two months, fans will be able to bask in an amazing weekend of action, both locally and abroad.

Saturday sees the running of the delayed Grade 1 SA Derby over 2 450m, the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1 600m and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks for three-yearold fillies at Turffontein.

Summer Pudding, a daughter of Silvano, won both the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1 800m after which trainer Paul Peter and jockey Warren Kennedy said the 2 450m of the Oaks was well within her scope.

Kennedy will not be aboard the unbeaten filly on Saturday as he is confined in KwaZulu-Natal due to the lockdown. Gavin Lerena, who rode the filly to victory on debut, has picked up the ride.

The Derby looks quite open but many eyes will be on Grade 1 SA Classic winner Got the Greenlight, whose trainer Joe Soma will be hoping his charge sees out the 2 450m trip. If he does, the Vodacom Durban July could be on the agenda.

Mike de Kock has a strong hand on the Horse Chestnut Stakes in which he saddles last year’s winner Soqrat, as well as superstar Hawwaam and Grade 1-winning filly Queen Supreme.

At Greyville in Durban on Sunday, the winter season gets into swing with the running of the Grade 2 Independent On Sunday Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m, the Grade 2 WSB Guineas and WSB Fillies Guineas

In the UK, the Grade 1 2000 Guineas and the Grade 1 1000 Guineas for fillies will be run at Newmarket.