The nine-race Turffontein Inside programme on Saturday is built around the Non-Black Type Allez France Stakes over 1800m, where Hazy Dazy gets the chance to bounce straight back to winning ways.
The Xander and Corne Spies-trained four-year-old has little to prove after finishing runner-up in last week’s Grade 2 Fillies & Mares Joburg Spring Challenge. She was beaten by a highly rated younger rival while conceding a hefty 9.5kg so that effort reads particularly well in the context of Saturday’s field.
Hazy Dazy does have to shoulder 62kg, but her tactical versatility is a major asset in a race featuring just five opponents. She is equally comfortable dictating matters or sitting off the pace and should have no difficulty making her own running if the opposition leaves her with that option.
The daughter of Act Of War is also no stranger to the Highveld’s biggest stages, having captured two legs of last season’s Triple Tiara – the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic. Provided the quick turnaround has not taken the edge off her, she sets a formidable standard with regular rider Trent Mayhew back aboard.
Grand Empire is another Grade 1 performer whose class could prove decisive when he returns from a 125-day layoff in Race 6 over 1600m.
The Sean Tarry-trained son of Vercingetorix won last season’s SA Classic and has subsequently been given time to recover from an excusable final start, when he was found distressed and coughing after the race. That enforced break should have done him good, and Saturday’s comeback is worth following closely with bigger targets presumably on the horizon.
A wide No. 11 draw is unlikely to be a major concern for a horse possessing such a sharp turn of foot, while 1600m is well within his compass. He also gets a significant new jockey booking in the shape of current national championship leader Keagan de Melo.
Tarry also saddles 2025 SA Derby winner Legend Of Arthur, but Grand Empire is the stable pick on recent form. The fitness question is the obvious caveat, but if the four-year-old is anywhere near his best, there is enough class to carry him through.
The value angle could come later in the card, with One Eye On Dubai an intriguing handicap debutant for Mike and Mathew de Kock in Race 8 over 1800m.
The imported son of Almanzor has improved with every outing and was certainly not winning out of turn when making all over 2000m at the Vaal just 18 days ago. He destroyed that field by 8.50 lengths, and while this represents a considerably tougher examination, there was enough authority in that performance to suggest further progress is plasuible.
A favourable No. 3 draw should allow De Melo to dictate matters if connections choose to employ the same front-running tactics. This is a very different test, and he will need to raise his game, but lightly raced three-year-olds capable of winning by that sort of margin deserve respect when stepping into handicaps.
Clive Robinson
