Double Grand Slam Is The Meeting Banker (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
Gold Circle
R1 Summary: MASTER CASPER (5) converted his odds-on tag in his first run back from the Cape where he contested feature events. The Johan Janse van Vuuren stable is in good KZN form and Master Casper can follow up. IMPACT INVESTOR (7) disappointed in a Scottville feature last time out coming off a comfortable Cape Town maiden win. That last run was in soft ground which may have accounted for the modest showing. THE SPECIALIST (2) has improved with every outing leading to his recent victory. He can follow up. GALACTUS (8) was well supported in the market on debut but raced very green. He could make the required improvement.
Selection: 5-7-2
R2 Summary: VIBE SA (1) is long overdue having finished runner-up in four of his last five starts. He has the best of the draw and may be worth another chance. LANDSEER (5) is a late-starting three-year-old and was not far back when racing green on debut. He looks well capable of further improvement. DAPPER (7) has not been far back in all three starts. He goes the turn for the first time but should make another a bold bid. CATAVAR (8) gets first time blinkers and Richard Fourie. He is well exposed but could make it into the frame.
Selection: 1-5-7
R3 Summary: Tricky. YOU BRING ME JOY (11) has a wide draw to contend with but her form is solid having won over course and distance last time out and the form of that win subsequently franked by CARE FORGOT (7). WHISTLE THE TUNE (3) was second best behind Quid Pro Quo last time out, her first run in KZN after contesting Western Cape features. Richard Fourie has opted to ride her in preference to DARK WINTER (2) who was runner-up in a Scottsville feature last time out and in earlier form ran last Saturday’s Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship winner Symphony On White to just over a length. KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (4) was an easy winner of her maiden last run but has made steady improvement while SCARS OF WAR (6) was a nine-length winner of her maiden in a workriders plate and is proven over the trip.
Selection: 11-3-6
R4 Summary: HAVANA MOON (8) was a close-up second to GREAT PLAINS (12) when last they met. He is now 3kg better off with a more favourable draw and should be capable of turning the tables. Great Plains followed up that win with a further success with that form working out fairly well. A deep draw is of some concern but he does have Richard Fourie to navigate. THE MASK (5) was an impressive maiden winner at just the second time of asking. That was on the poly but the switch in surface should not be too much of a concern. FRENCH BOLT (1) steps up in trip but comes off some fair Highveld form and he does have the best of the draw.
Selection: 8-12-5
R5 Summary: MUCHO DINERO (11) was two lengths behind Oriental Charm in the WSB 1900 and is now 2kg better off. He appears to be coming to hand at just the right time and will be a big runner. ORIENTAL CHARM (10) was a cracking second to Future Swing in the WSB 1900 and was close-up behind Green With Envy in his previous two starts. This should be a warm-up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July and a win will cement his place in the big race. IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA (5) had the widest draw in the WSB 1900 and was only three lengths off the winner. He is better off at the weights with Oriental Charm and NARINA TROGON (9) and can finish in the money.
Selection: 11-10-5
R6 Summary: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (8) gets the opportunity to make amends after her shock defeat in the Fillies Guineas last time out. She was caught late in that 1600m event and she should be much more at home over this shorter trip. CELTIC RUMOURS (3) has useful Highveld form and finished fourth behind males and Sandringham Summit in the Hawaii Stakes. She has a good draw and is over her optimum trip. HUMDINGER (5) was a close-up second in the Gr1 Empress Club Stakes behind the unbeaten stable companion Gimme A Nother. She does appear to run her best races for Piere Strydom and she is no stranger to the Greyville circuit. BAVARIAN BEAUTY (1) has lost her way this season but is a Gr1 winner on this course and she does have the best of the draw. If she can find her best form she will be a big threat.
Selection: 8-3-5
R7 Summary: This season’s crop of three-year-olds has been above average and they can drive home that point here. The pace is likely to be a good one led by the freewheeling DAVE THE KING (6) who has the canny Muzi Yeni aboard. However, MAIN DEFENDER (3) was a comfortable winner of the Gr1 Horse Chestnut Stakes beating Dave The King and that form is unlikely to be reversed. Tony Peter’s runner is the second highest rated, one pound bellow SEE IT AGAIN (9). LUCKY LAD (11) raced just seven days back when winning the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint displaying a remarkable turn of foot to extricate himself from a seeming hopeless position. He had no luck when trying a mile for the first time from a wide gate. He has drawn little better here but will be coming on from off the pace. SEE IT AGAIN (9) will enjoy a strong pace and although this race will be a warm-up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July he has nothing to lose. If he can reproduce his Gr2 Green Point Stakes effort when beating Charles Dickens and a high-class field of milers he could prove hard to beat. SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT (4) was run out of it late by Green With Envy in the Gr2 WSB Guineas but is another that will benefit from a strong pace.
Selection: 9-3-11
R8 Summary: KING OF THE GAULS (9) is highly regarded and has won his last two in good fashion. He is still on the up and can make it a winning hattrick. Should he not run up to expectations then the race become wide open. TROPPO VELOCE (3) takes on males but has consist Highveld sprint form and the stable is also hit at present. TEFLON MAN (7) has his third start after a break and has been a beaten favourite at his last two outings. On current for he looks held by both EXCEPT TEMPTATION (6), PLAZA ACCORD and COMMON GROUNDS (8) but if he find his best he should put in a bold bid. Except Temptation started a long odds when narrowly beaten by Common Grounds and is 2kg better off at the weights while stable companion Plaza Accord has a deep draw but a handy galloping weight.
Selection: 9-3-6
R9 Summary: NAUTICAL LANDING (1) has made steady recent progress. She stays a mile comfortably so the extra furlong should not be a concern although she does switch to the turf. IZIBULO (4) jumps in trip but does have a pedigree that suggest that it will not be a problem. Richard Fourie in the irons is a clear indication of what is expected. SWEETER THAN HONEY (3) has been knocking on the door for some time now but has been in good form. She should not be far off them. RAINBOW OF ROSES (2) Stays the trip well. She was clearly second best last run but has a chance in this line-up.
Selection: 1-4-3
