Picture: Immediate Edge has won both of his starts with authority and has given the impression he will get better as he goes further. (JC Photos).
There is a nine-race meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and it is headed by the WSB Listed Hawwaam Stakes over 2,000m and this should fittingly be won by the Mike de Kock-trained immediate Edge.
The Hawwaam Stakes is effectively the Derby Trial and the Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial over 2000m is also being run on the day and so is the Listed WSB Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m.
The Vercingetorix gelding Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who is ideally suited to the Turffontein Standside track and he has won his two starts over 1600m and 2000m with authority even if the margin of victory has not been big. Ryan Munger has ridden him in both starts and he has come from off the pace with a resolute finish on both occasions. From a plum pole position draw on Saturday, he should be able to afford to be handy before staying on strongly. He is officially merit-rated only 88, but should rise above that mark, so will be hard to beat carrying 57kg. One More Star by One World is a three parts brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos and has not surprisingly already proved himself effective over this trip when finishing a narrow second from a wide draw over 2,000m at the Vaal last time out in a handicap against older horses. He could be a threat, but does have another wide draw to overcome. Page Boy caught the eye last time out when winning his maiden over 1600m by six lengths as he looks the sort who will relish the step up in trip and he looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement. Ombudsman, like Page Boy, is by Flower Alley, and this improving sort might also enjoy this step up in trip. Peace Treaty has been shown to have a strong finish and is interesting stepped up in trip. His Sire Act of War is by Dynasty, so that will give him some stamina, but his Gimmethegreenlight dam Love of My Life was a sprint-miler sort, so he is not sure to enjoy this trip. Captain Oliver is an interesting entry from KZN, trained by Frikkie Greyling. He looks to be a galloping type and carrying just 55.5 kilograms from draw seven he might be involved. Wild Intent was thought of as good enough to go down to Cape Town and, although he carries top weight, he has proved himself effective over staying trips, as his pedigree suggests he should be. He has a good draw of five under Gavin Lerena and is another one who has a chance.
In the Oaks Trial Poplar Park looks a promising middle distance to staying type and from draw two over an ideal course and distance she should make a bold bid under Muzi Yeni. Queen of Love has some class about her and strikes as one who will enjoy the step up in trip. However, she does have a wide draw to overcome and has to carry topweight. Cocomelon is by Willow Magic out of a Greys Inn mare, whose two wins were over 1000m, so on pedigree there would appear to be a stamina doubt, but she does run as if she might enjoy this trip. Silver Parasol bounced back to form last time with a good win when stepped up to 1800m, and that augurs well for her attempt here at 2000m. Mountain High has stayed on well in her last couple of starts, over 1450m and 1600m respectively, and won the latter of those races easily, so is interesting stepped up to 2000m. She is coming to hand and has a middle draw.
The seventh race is the listed WSB Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m and Battleground makes appeal, despite having to jump from a wide draw of 11. This five-year-old Futura gelding has a big action and seems to stay all day. He is the sort who is ideally suited to the galloping Turffontein Standside track, so if Ryan Munger is able to find cover for him he should go close. Thunee Playa has class and has proved himself useful over middle distances. He did run in the SA Derby and was unplaced, but he is a year older now and might enjoy the step up in trip. Marauding Horde has always struck as a horse who would enjoy staying trips and as one who would get better as he got older, so he must have a shout from draw five. Raiseahallelujah is an honest stayer who should give a good account of himself from a fair draw of six. Forgiveness looks talented and could have a chance, although on pedigree there might be a slight stamina doubt because although she is by Silvano she is out of a speedy Western Winter mare. Breeze Over is a big staying type who could do well from a good draw of three with Muzi Yeni up.
The features should be intriguing and Ryan Munger looks to hold the trump cards.
