The way opens for Royal Aussie
THE three feature races from the weekend have been rescheduled for today, which now boasts an eleven-race card. The three features will be run on the turf track with the balance of the card on the poly.
The Gr2 Independent On Saturday Dill Hall Stakes, supported by the Gr2 World Sports Betting Guineas and Gr2 World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, is the traditional start to South Africa’s three-month Champions Season where most of the country’s top horses are out to round off their season on a high.
Main Defender
The scratching of Main Defender from the Drill Hall has thrown the race wide open.
Justin Snaith got his winter campaign off to a cracking start but the stable has had a few hiccups of late.
However, Royal Aussie is useful on his day and the absence of Main Defender enhances his chances.
Mike de Kock sends out the smart mare Humdinger who has finished runner-up in her last three in feature company.
She is no stranger to this course and goes well this trip.
Stuart Ferrie’s runs Gladatorian who is unbeaten since returning from a break but does take on top class opposition.
Veteran trainer Ricky Maingard saddles former Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge winner Al Muthana and Waterberry Lane.
Current form is not inspiring but both are capable of a big effort on their day and are worth keeping an eye on in the market.
In the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas Double Grand Slam will be a warm favourite after demolishing a useful field in the Gr3 Umzimkulu Stakes, her first look at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
The opposition is a lot stronger here but Justin Snaith’s filly has come into her own of late and a repeat will see her difficult to beat.
Tony Rivalland’s filly Celtic Beauty has the worst of the draw but shows plenty of promise.
She may prefer it a touch further but should give a good account.
Double Grand Slam
A possible threat to Double Grand Slam could be Mike de Kock’s charge White Pearl.
She boasts consistent Highveld feature form and was only three lengths back to the crack colt Sandringham Summit in the G2 Hawaii Stakes.
She has drawn well and the step up in trip could now be what she is looking for. Rascova looks well held by Double Grand Slam on their recent meetings but she does appear to be capable of improving on those efforts.
The Gr2 WSB Guineas has attracted a cracking line-up and the race should give an indication of what to expect over the next three months.
The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained Sandringham Summit was a convincing winner of the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes beating Lucky Lad who has since franked that form.
He is a top class galloper and the mile is right up his alley.
Mid Winter Wind faces something of an acid test as Sean Tarry’s gelding comes off a string of four straight wins.
His rating jumped from 96 to 114 after his most recent success and the extra furlong should suit.
He could give Sandringham Summit a testing race.
Green With Envy was a spectacular winner of the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby, coming from way off the pace to win going away.
However, he faces a crack miler in Sandringham Summit and the Gr1 Daily News 2000 is a more likely target for Dean Kannemeyer’s charge.
That said he boasts plenty of class. Gr1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas winner Snow Pilot was in need of his local debut effort and with that run under his girth he should strip a lot fitter today.
A competitive card faces punters on the poly.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Ideal Gift only got a two-point raise in the handicap for her narrow recent win but looks capable of following up in this company. Summer Song was a recent maiden winner but that was her local debut and her first outing on the poly.
Her Cape form was useful. English Primrose has her first outing for Gary Rich.
She has not been far back of late and the step up in trip will suit.
Natalia
Natalia sees Rachel Venniker down to her absolute minimum weight of 52kg and from a good draw her filly must be a runner in a wide open contest.
In the eighth, Benni In The Area took time to shed his maiden but showed up well when a close-up third behind stable companion Phaka Imali last time out.
He is now 1.5kg better off in the handicap and can turn the tables and it could be a Gary Rich exacta.
However, visiting Mescal has a pencil behind his ear as he hardly misses in a month.
He has some useful form to stronger and as an obviously sound horse the poly will suit.
Veteran Knight Warrior has a wide draw to contend with but is way better than his last effort and is reunited with Muzi Yeni.
Rosh Kadesh has improved in blinkers and can make a winning local debut in the ninth with trainer Dean Kannemeyer back from the Cape to oversee the yard. The gelding has useful Cape form and will make a bold bid.
Common Grounds did not fare well in his only start in the Cape but he had smart form prior to his departure. He has the best of the draw and Richard Fourie to help him home.
Time Together goes well on the poly and has been holding form.
He is back a furlong in trip but is down in class which puts him in with a strong chance.
Duncan Howells sends out Purple Operator who has put in two smart efforts over a furlong shorter and has his third run after a break.
The trip will suit and with Venniker riding at the top of her game with a 1.5kg allowance the gelding will be a big runner. Mike de Kock sends out Arividicio down to sample the poly track.
He is well tried but improved last run and the synthetic surface could be what he is looking for.
Jet Legacy has the plum draw and has his second run after a lengthy break.
He has ability and is one to watch in the market.
Joshua Hotsnake has the worst of the draw but is in hot form over the distance. With some luck in running he can finally earn his sixth victory.
The last is another wide open fillies and mares handicap. Rani Of Jhansi was deemed good enough to be on the float for the Cape season but did not feature. However, she was much improved in her first run back.
Conta Fiscum has put up two promising showings on the poly and although drawn a touch wide she is capable.
Littleblackvelvet got a three-point raise in the handicap when beating Contra Fiscum last time out with the runner-up getting a point.
Gareth van Zyl has penciled in 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies to balance out the weight.
The combination of Dennis Bosch and Rachel Venniker has been to the fore in recent weeks.
Copacabana
They again team up with Copacabana who was successful second time out when stepped up to a mile and the daughter of Querari can follow up.