Both winners of Leg 1 of the World Sports Betting Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara will be back in action at Turffontein on Saturday in their respective second legs, the R1.5-million World Sports Betting SA Classic and R1.25-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
Both Grade 1 races, over 1800m, will be run on the Standside track.
The World Sports Betting Gauteng Guineas was won by Eye Of The Prophet, who beat Royal Victory by a short head, while the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas went the way of Lady Of Power who held off Feather Boa by 0.25 lengths.
Both caused something of an upset winning the Gauteng Guineas and Gauteng Fillies Guineas on 4 February, but they both have excellent chances of keeping their hopes alive for the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara for fillies with a win on Saturday.
Eye Of The Prophet showed loads of courage to hold off Royal Victory that day. The latter looked all over a winner when he cruised up to lead with 200m to run but then he started to hang in badly, bumping Eye Of The Prophet in the process.
While Eye Of The Prophet will have no problem with the additional 200m this time, there has to be some doubt as to whether Royal Victory will go 1800m in this company. If he does, he should contest the finish.
Trainer Mike de Kock has two runners in East Coast and Shoemaker and both must have winning chances if they run to their best form.
East Coast probably needed the run when finishing 6.50 lengths behind Eye Of The Prophet in the Gauteng Guineas. However, he has a lot going for him this time, in particular No 1 draw, Keagan de Melo in the irons, and the fact he will be better over 1800m. He ran a cracker over this course and distance when second in the Victory Moon Stakes and needs to be included in all bets.
Shoemaker has not had the best of fortune recently, finishing unplaced in the Cape Guineas and then not striding out in the Gauteng Guineas. He also has not had much luck with draws and that is also the case in this race. However, he is highly regarded and is far better than his recent form suggests.
The SA Fillies Classic look a showdown between Lady Of Power and Feather Boa, first and second respectively in the Fillies Guineas. While Lady Of Power was fancied by her connections, it was a superb ride from jockey Piere Strydom that won the day.
He retains the ride but since that win the filly was sold and she was moved to the stable of Mike and Adam Azzie. Hopefully the move has not proved too much of a disruption to her preparations.
After her fast-finishing second in the Fillies Guineas Feather Boa could be the runner they all have to beat. Stuart Pettigrew’s runner is well drawn, has Richard Fourie in the irons and will be perfectly suited to the distance.
Clive Robinson
