Majestic Mambo tops betting boards for Gauteng Guineas

Jack Milner

Majestic Mambo has been priced up as the 5-2 favourite to win the R1-million Gauteng Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday 3 March.

This Grade 2 race is the first leg of the SA Triple Crown and the unbeaten son of Mambo In Seattle has to be among the runners capable of winning all three legs.

Trained by Paul Peter, he has won all three of his races over 1800m and the Guineas could be his toughest task as there could be better milers in the race.

Second favourite at 7-2 is Surcharge, who has already proven himself capable of winning over this distance but Stuart Pettigrew’s charge has landed a wide draw.

Monks Hood won the Grade 2 Dingaans over the course and distance and Alistair Gordon’s charge looked good when he won his comeback run last weekend.

He has a decent draw and there is 11-2 on offer about his chances.

Sean Tarry-trained Big Bear looked in prime condition in his box at the Randjesfontein yard on Monday but has a wide draw and Tarry is in two minds as to whether his charge will take his place in the Guineas.

Big Bear has also been entered in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes and drew well for that race which gives Tarry a second option.

Hashtagyolo has been opened as the 3-1 favourite for the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas which is the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.

Kannemeyer has not taken any chances with his filly not being able to acclimatise and she has been on the Highveld for five weeks already and will work at Turffontein tomorrow.

Paul Peter-trained Folk Dance is the 33-10 second favourite and she deserves her place near the top of the boards.

Mike de Kock has five in entered in the race with Fish River at 7-2 the only other runners quoted in single figures.

However, assistant Mathew de Kock warned their other runners should be ignored.

“Fish River is very well but I wouldn’t ignore Silver Thursday either.

“She has been putting up some very good work.”

He confirmed Anthony Delpech will ride Fish River and Weichong Marwing had been engaged to ride Silver Thursday.

Early betting for the Gauteng Guineas: 5-2 Majestic Mambo; 7-2 Surcharge; 11-2 Monks Hood; 7-1 Greek Fire; 10-1 Big Bear; 14-1 Vacquero; 16-1 Wonderwall; 20-1 Noble Secret, Sir David Baird; 25-1 Seerite, Yakeen; 35-1 Royal Crusade, Ideal Secret; 40-1 Roy Had Enough, Pietro Mascagni; 55-1 Alshibaa, Silver God; 66-1 Cash Time; 70-1 Puget Sound; 80-1 State Trooper; 100-1 Alssakhra; 150-1 Loyal Lieutenant

Early betting for the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas: 3-1 Hashtagyolo; 33-10 Folk Dance; 7-2 Fish River; 10-1 Cashel Palace; 14-1 Silver Thursday, Radiant Splendour; 16-1 Aurelia Cotta; 20-1 Roys Riviera; 25-1 Dame Kelly, Pale Lilac, Takingthepeace, Awfaa, Secret Potion; 45-1 Dressed To Impress; 55-1 Schippers, Jet Start, Pearl Of Bahrain, Green Top; 70-1 Rockin Russian; 80-1 Tammany Hall, Pretty Ballerina; 100-1 Redberry Wood