Gimmethegreenlight gelding Wild Intent has the credentials to win the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby at Turffontein Standside on Saturday. (JC Photos).
The Gr 1 TAB SA Derby, to be run over 2450m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, is of particular intrigue this season, because it pits together a number of potentially top class horses.
They include Immediate Edge and Wild Intent, who fought out the pointer race, the Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes over 2,000m.
Also involved are three horses who proved their class by finishing in the money in the Grade 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m, Legend Of Arthur, Grey Jet and Parisian Walkway.
Immediate Edge has always had Derby horse stamped all over him. He has a big stride and winds up into a resolute finish and is duly unbeaten in three starts from 1600m up to 2000m. From the evidence of his last two wins, which were both over 2000 metres, he should have no problem staying the 2,450 metre trip and his pedigree should not be a negative point as far as stamina goes, because his sire Vercingetorix is by stamina influence Silvano and Vercingetorix himself won a Grade 1 over 2000m. His dam is by Commands, whose average runner apparently enjoy roundabout seven furlongs, but Commands has produced a Queensland Oaks winner over 2400m. Immediate Edge has the very much in-form Ryan Munger aboard and jumps from a tricky draw of 8 out of 13.
Wild Intent stayed on resolutely in the Hawwaam Stakes from a handy position and he only just failed to keep Immediate Edge at bay. However, he was giving the latter 3kg, so he has the upper hand here on paper. On pedigree he should get it because he is by Gimmethegreenlight out of a Dylan Thomas mare who won twice over this distance. Wild Intent has Gavin Lerena up and has to jump from a tricky draw of nine.
Legend of Arthur is another horse who has always had Derby Horse written all over him because he stays on well and on pedigree he is by Lancaster Bomber, whose wins included the Gr 1 Tetris Horse Gold Cup over 2,100 metres, out of a Galileo mare called Grail Maiden who won up to 2500m. Legend of Arthur has drawn very wide in 12 out of 13, but Richard Fourie knows him well and should be able to find a good position in the running. Legend of Arthur was a 4.1 length third in the SA Classic and he was just 0.4 lengths ahead of the promising Grey Jet.
Grey Jet stayed on well in the SA Classic. He is trained by Weichong Marwing, who has worked extensively with his brother Weiho and also Ormond Ferraris, two magicians in training stamina horses. Grey Jet is by Danon Platina out of a Jet Master mare who has produced multiple-winning middle distance sorts and he jumps from a fair draw of six with Rachel Venniker staying aboard.
Parisian Walkway was overtaken when leading in the SA Classic, but did rally late to finish fifth, beaten just five lengths. He is a front-runner by stamina influence Ideal World out of a Mastercraftsman mare who won twice over 1200m and 1400m in just four starts. He could be dangerous if able to relax in front at a sensible pace.
The only filly in the race is Olivia’s Way, who stayed on well from a handy position to finish a 4.75 length second in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic. Olivia’s Way has drawn in pole position with Muzi Yeni up . She is by Pathfork out of an Australian-bred War Pass mare who won over 2000m, so she could enjoy the trip and she is a progressive sort.
Bacchus should enjoy the step up in trip being by Master Of My Fate out of a mare by stamina influence Lateral. The mare, Bilateral, won the Gr 1 Golden Slipper over 1450m but went on to place fourth in the SA Oaks and to win over 2000m. Bacchus has a lot to do to reverse form with a few others on Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic form, but he is classy and was probably below par for those runs.
Don’t Cry For Me disappointed in the SA Classic having won impressively over the course and distance in his previous start. He is by One World out of a What A Winter mare who won from 1200m to 1400m, so the jury will be out on his stamina capacity, but Piere Strydom up means he will likely be given a conservative ride that should enable him to stay on.
Count Huhtikuu was beaten 2,55 lengths by Immediate Edge in his penultimate start and the latter was making his debut then over a 1600m trip which is too sharp. The Royal Mo gelding won well when stepped up to 1800m last time and has scope, so could be a surprise earner.
Towers Of Gold has an easy win over 2000m to his name, but his recent form would need to be improved on considerably to feature here.
Zip Code is a Global View half-brother to a horse who won over 2850m, but he would need to improve dramatically over this trip to have a chance.
Solar Sail won easily when stepped up to 2000m last time, but that was off an 80 merit rating in a handicap, so he would need to make big improvement over this trip to feature.
Casus Belli is well held by Immediate Edge on the form of two previous clashes.
Wild Intent ts selected to beat Legend Of Arthur with Immediate Edge, Olivia’s Way and Parisian Walkway next best.
