Royal Victory winning the Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge last year. (JC Photos)
It is Champions Day at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and the exciting meeting has 12 races in all, inlcuding four Gr 1s, four Gr 2s and a Listed event.
The big one is the Gr 1 HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge and Royal Victory is tipped to retain his crown. Nathan Kotzen has opted to give the Pathfork geldings two runs this season between the Summer Cup and the Premier’s and this is no doubt a wise move considering how much rain there has been at Summerveld which has limited the amount of work which could be done. He did the Summer Cup/Premier’s double last season and this season was unlucky in the Summer Cup as he encountered traffic problems in the straight and did well to finish a three length sixth. He had also been unlucky in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, because had he remained patient and gone for a rails run he could have done even better than a 1,40 length third. In a small Premier’s field this year of just ten runners he should be able to be dropped out from a wide draw and run past the opposition. Fire Attack will be a big runner as he has fine feature race form and ran on strongly in the Gr 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m last time. Purple Pitcher is a horse who runs from the front and just keeps on finding extra when challenged, so is a big danger. Imilenzeyokududuma stayed on well in the Gr 1 Wilgernbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes last time and being by Dynasty gives him a chance of seeing out this trip which he has never tried before despite being a six-year-old. Former SA Derby winner Son Of Raj has come to hand, while Atticus Finch proved his liking for course and distance with a fine win in the Summer Cup. Silver Sanctuary is a Gr 1 win winner over this trip, albeit against her own gender, while None Other will be staying on strongly as a former Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks winner. Navajo Nation looks up against it on form, but Chestnut Bomber has been seen to stay on well over 1600m and could be a sneaker for a place.
In the Gr 1 TAB SA Derby Wild Instinct is bred for the trip and is 3kg better off with Immediate Edge for a shorthead beating in the Listed Hawwaam Stakes over 2000m. Immediate Edge has always had Derby horse written all over him as a long-strider with a resolute finish and he is unbeaten in three starts. Legend Of Arthur has also always looked like a Derby type too and is progressive. Grey Jet stayed on well in the SA Classic for fourth and could handle this trip. Gauteng Guineas winner Parisian Walkway will be dangerous if able to relax in front.
In the Gr 1 TAB Computaform Sprint William Robertson is in fine form and this classy sort is drawn on the right side with Ryan Munger up. Lucky Lad would probably prefer 1200m but will be running on strongly. Cruise Control has good pace coupled with a kick which will make him dangerous here. Chocolate Soldier has tremendous pace and will likely attempt to blitz them. Winds Of Change has speed and class and should be right there. Golden Sickle and Pistol Pete are hard to ignore.
In the Gr 1 TAB Empress Club Stakes over 1600m Spumante Dolce disappointed in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m but there were excuses and back to this trip she could bounce back to the form of her Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas win. Gr 1 winner VJ’s Angel and the hard knocking Let’s Go Now will be dangerous. Fatal Flaw is the Gr 1 WSB Cape Filllies Guineas winner and can bounce back from a disappointing Majorca Stakes effort. The remaining three, Beating Wings, Lady Fallon and White Pearl, all have some class and are not out of it.
In the Gr 2 TAB SA Oaks World Of Alice is likely to relish the step up in trip and can beat the classy Fiery Pegasus.
In the Gr 2 TAB SA Nursery over 1160m Esteemed made an outstanding debut and will be hard to beat.
In the Gr 2 TAB SA Fillies Nursery One Fine Winter looks to be a decent sort and can beat home Glastonbury and Golden Palm.
In the Gr 2 TAB Hawaii Stakes Cosmic Speed won the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes in fine style and should also enjoy this 1400m trip as one who has done well at the highest level over 1200m. Main Defender is probably over his best trip here and if at his best he will go close. Texas Red should give another good account of himself.
In the Listed 4Racing Caradoc Gold Cup Raiseahalleluja has had a good prep and should make a bold bid over a suitable course and distance. Battleground is an out and out stayer who will be thereabouts if able to find cover from a wide draw. Poets Warrior is a very effective front runner but does have a big weight to carry. Marauding Horde is a progressive stayer and should also be involved. Breeze Over won well from the front last time and can do well if managing to slot in behind likely pacemaker Poets Warrior.
