The spotlight falls on Turffontein Racecourse on Saturday as a bumper 12-race programme delivers one of the Highveld season’s strongest betting cards, headlined by three Grade 1 contests under the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool banner.
Race 6 features the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, the second leg of the Triple Tiara, where Gauteng Fillies Guineas winner Hazy Dazy looks the filly to beat. Trained by Corne Spies, she overcame a wide draw and a lengthy break to win the first leg convincingly, defeating many of Saturday’s rivals. The step up to 1800m appears ideal and she looks firmly on track toward the lucrative Triple Tiara bonus.
The colts and geldings clash next in the HKJC World Pool SA Classic, leg two of the TAB Triple Crown. The powerful partnership of Mike de Kock and Mathew de Kock holds a strong hand. Champion juvenile Jan Van Goyen returns after a below-par run in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate but faces stamina questions stepping beyond 1600m. Stablemate Splittheeights appeals as a major contender after an impressive Gauteng Guineas victory suggesting further improvement over this trip, while One Eye On Vegas could feature after an unlucky passage last time.
Race 8, the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, brings together proven stars. Former winners Main Defender and Cosmic Speed reappear, but attention centres on Cape rivals See It Again and The Real Prince. The latter won their King’s Plate clash, while See It Again, now with Justin Snaith, gained revenge in the Cape Town Met. The Turffontein mile could favour See It Again’s blend of stamina and acceleration.
Earlier, the Listed juvenile races offer future clues. Unbeaten filly Volcanic Heat takes on males in the Storm Bird Stakes and receives weight, while Sean Tarry’s runners feature strongly across the juvenile features. In the Ruffian Stakes, progressive filly Griselda looks capable of continuing both her stable’s and sire Erik The Red’s recent success.
SA FILLIES CLASSIC FINAL FIELD
HORSE CHESTNUT STKS FINAL FIELD
SA CLASSIC FINAL FIELD
