Eight On Eighteen Can Notch Up A Third Gr 1

Eight On Eighteen is full of class and likely has more improvement to come so will be hard to beat in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000. (Picture: Wayne Marks).

The Gr1 Daily News 2000 is the headliner at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday and Eight On Eighteen should be too strong.

The progressive Lancaster Bomber colt has aleady won two Gr 1s over this trip despite only having had nine career starts. One of his wins was against most of the best middle distance horses in the country in the Gr 1 wfa WSB Met and he has not only likely improved since then but this represents an easier task. He does have a tough draw of seven out of seven but is relaxed in the running and has a fine turn of foot and stays through the line. It could be a third Daily News for Justin Snaith and a second for owner Nick Jonsson, although it is not going to be a doddle as he faces some class runners.

Confederate might give Eight On Eighteen a go as an impressive long-strider who led from pillar to post to win he Gr 1 TAB SA Classic. He jumps from a nice draw of three and does not necessarily have to lead becaue he as a good turn of foot from off the pace too.

Spumante Dolce has hinted at having loads of ability and, as a Vercingetorix three parts sister to Hollywoodbets Durban July winner Sparkling Water, a line can probably be drawn through her disappointing run in the Gr 1 TAB SA Fillies Classic. Her form other than that run can hardly be faulted.

Parisian Walkway is a front-running sort who might bounce back to his best on the coast, although he does have to prove he stays the trip.

Native Ruler did not have things go his way in the WSB 1900 last tme and looks held by Eight On Eighteen on Splashout Cape Derby form too. He could improve but has a bit to prove.

Okavango stayed on well for fourth in the WSB 1900 but this is a different ball game and he also has a bit to prove.

Makazole looks outclassed but can enure a good pace.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

In the Gr 2 Woolavington 2000, the Frank Robinson-trained Ideal World filly Mocha Blend has a lot of class and would have needed her last start when running a good third over this course and distance in a Listed event on May 3. She is carrying just 53kg with JP van der Merwe aboard and is improving all the time. She has a fine turn of foot and plenty of stamina and has a manageable draw of seven out of thirteen.

The Justin Snaith-trained Trippi filly Little Suzie also has a chance in the race her celebrated mother Oh Susanna won, although it will not be as big an achievement because it is no longer a level weights three-year-old Gr 1 classic, but rather a conditions event that allows Little Suzie to carry just 54kg.

The Drakenstein Stud homebred filly is 2kg under sufferance with the best weighed filly according to official merit ratings, Indian Ocean. However, in her best performance she finished third in the Gr 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. She then became a bit lit up early in the Gr 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes which blunted her finish over a trip she should relish on pedigree, considering Oh Susanna not only won the Woolavington as a three-year-old, but also won the Met. In her last start Little Suzie had to be dropped out to last from a wide draw in the Gr 2 WSB Fillies Guineas and had too much do, so was beaten 2,75 lengths by the winner Mon Petit Cherie, whom she had beaten by 2,9 lengths in the Cape Filles Guineas. She now has a good draw of four and Sean Veale, who rode her in the Cape Fillies Guineas, stays aboard. She could make a bold bid.

The Robbie and Shannon Hill-trained Regeneration is the second best in at the weights officially and is only 1kg under sufferance with Indian Ocean. She stayed on nicely for a 2,15 length fifth in the WSB Fillies Guineas and this Danon Platina filly gave the impression she would handle a step up to 2000m and on pedigree she could do so being out of a mare by Champs Elysees, who won a a Gr 1 over a mile-and-a-half.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Give Me Everything impressed in the WSB Guineas when dropped out to last from a wide draw and running on strongly for a two length fourth. She has won over 1800m before so should enjoy this trip, but her draw of nine mght mean she will be out of her ground again.

The Mano Pandaram-trained Indian Ocean was not given a good ride last time as too much use was made of her in an efort to get to the front. She is capable of coming from off the pace and Gavin Lerena is now up, so he shoud get the best out of this classy long-strider.

Hat’s Queen has a fair chance on paper, considering she is 4kg better off with Mascherina for a mere 1,10 length beating over course and distance and she is well drawn.

Mascherina has class and this Gimmethegreenlight half-sister to Malmoos won the aforementioned Listed race over course and distance pretty effortlessly. She is now only 2kg worse off with Mocha Blend for a 2,30 length beating, but she has a tough draw of ten and Mocha Blend is also likely improving rapidly.

My Soul Mate sould be staying on strongly and can’t be discounted carrying 57,5kg as she is in fine form at present.

Beating Wings has a good turn of foot and can’t be discounted as she comes off a good third in a Gr 2 event over this trip. However, she does look held by Indian Ocean on he form of that race.

Rainbow Lorikeet has been ultra consistent in features this season and can make a bold bid from pole position under Aandrew Fortune, although she does have to carry a lot of weight.

Gerbera has the widest draw of all but she will stay the trip and will have come on from her last start when fourth over a too sharp trip.

Todoque has some class and is capable of improvement.

Miss Platina will have to step up on her recent form.

They are selected in the order mentioned.

Shoot THe Rapids and Holding Thumbs could fight out the Listed Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m.