Anfields Rocket (JC Photos). 

The Gr 1 Daily News 2000 is a three horse race in the eyes of most, although some make the favourite See It Again a banker.

The other two chief protagonists, What A Question and Cousin Casey, both have proven class.

It is thus not surprising to see this trio dominating the Hollywoodbets’ betting board.

See It Again, whose flying finish in the Gr 2 WSB Guineas after being hampered, confirmed what his Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby win had said on paper and what it had shown to the eye … that he is a top class thoroughbred and has the ability to emulate his three parts brother Do It Again by winning the July as a three-year-old.

Without Question was third in the Cape Derby,  beaten 2,50 lengths, but showed next time out how good he is and how progressive he is when winning the Grade 3 Variety Club Mile despite the race not panning out well.

Cousin Casey’s form speaks for itself, although he does still perhaps have to prove he is as good now as he potentially was as a two-year-old.

Hollywoodbets have See It Again at 14/10, Without Question at 33/10 and Cousin Casey 4/1. 

The others look held, but there are a couple of interesting points.

Anfields Rocket has looked to have been crying out for blinkers in his last couple of starts and they have now been fitted.

The question is whether the blinkers, whilst helping him get into the race earlier, are going to blunt his finishing speed.

If they help him get handier and help his momentuim into the straight it will be interesting to see how much he still has for his renowned strong finish, which has seen him come from last in sprint races and saw him coming from well back to with the Gr 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m.

Raymond Danielson has spoken about the feel Anfield Rocket gives and it is that of a top horse.

So if he is handy approaching the straight and as relaxed as he usually is, it is going to be time for his supporters to get excited. 

Anfields Rocket is by Coup De Grace, who won a Gr 2 over 1300m, a Gr 3 over 1400m and a Listed race over 1200m.

However, he is out of a Galileo mare who won twice in the UK, over a mile, and over a mile and one-and-half-furlongs (1900m). This mare, Milla’s Rocket, also placed second once over a mile and two-and-a-half furlongs (2100m) in heavy going.

Anfields Rocket has struck as one who is looking for this 2000m trip.  

He might represent some value at 16/1.

Shoemaker could also be a dark horse, as one who looked top class but then lost his way. He has now been gelded and if he can bounce back to his best his 14/1 odds will look like a steal.

Son Of Raj has progressed in astonishing style on the Highveld and if he is able to dictate like he did when easily winning the WSB SA Derby he could be a contender.

Dave The King is a big horse who Mike de Kock should get the best out of, although he did fail to find another gear late on in the WSB Guineas.

Street Law is another example of a Cape horse who relished his first outing on the Highveld for Tony Peter. How much more does he have to come?

East Coast tries the trip he has always looked to be crying out for.

River Romeo looks outgunned on paper, but he did win every easily over this trip last time out.