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.

Sean Tarry looks the trainer to follow at the Vaal today and he appears to have two stand-out bets on the card.

Racing takes place on the straight track and an All To Come bet on Tarry-trained Ecstatic Green in Race 2 with Celtic Queen in Race 7 looks the way to go.

We already observed on Tuesday, after his two winners and two placed runners, that the champion trainer has his stable in fine fettle.

Ecstatic Green has only run twice for two placed runs, her last coming in the Listed Ruffian Stakes over 1000m at Turffontein on 7 March in which she finished a 1.75-length fourth behind Springs Of Carmel. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight was well supported in the betting from 10-1 to 9-2 but did lose ground at the start which didn’t help her cause.

She is likely to enjoy the extra 200m and back in maiden company be hard to peg back. Apprentice Luke Ferarris takes the ride.

Celtic Sea needs no introduction. She is unquestionably one of the best of her sex in the country and has been in excellent form since winning the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville. Since then she has won the Grade 1 Garden Province Stakes and placed in two other Grade 1 races.

Tarry probably has the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m on 27 June at Turffontein on his radar for Celtic Sea but she should still be fit enough to win today’s Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares over 1200m.

Despite having to carry 62kg, she is at least 4.5kg better handicapped than any of her rivals. She will be ridden by Gavin Lerena.

Some Swingers and Exactas with stable companion In The Dance should also bring financial reward.

Jack Milner’s selections for Vaal

Race 1: 4 Royal Wulff, 11 Winter Stories, 8 Swingthewillow, 12 Sabaaya

Race 2: 2 Ecstatic Green (best Win bet), 10 Super Tanaye, 4 Keepingthepeace, 12 Ululate

Race 3: 11 Seehaam, 2 Theatre Of Dreams, 1 Orchid Express, 8 Denim En Jeans

Race 4: 2 Mamaquera, 8 Queen Noor, 3 Single Red Rose, 12 Galactico

Race 5: 11 Maputo, 2 Woodland Magic, 3 Gold Lightning, 4 Soul Connection

Race 6: 12 Anne Boleyn (best Win and Place bet), 7 Eskimo Kisses, 5 Quick Wit, 13 Welsh Harp

Race 7: 1 Celtic Sea, 4 In The Dance, 2 La Bella Mia, 3 Rio's Winter

Race 8: 6 Flash Burn, 2 Nordic Rebel, 3 Bien Venue, 1 Indy Go

Race 9: 5 River Jordan, 10 Samurai Jack, 6 Sell High, 8 True Words