Glen Kotzen’s Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper winner Ameena (Quasillo) has drawn 29 out of 29 in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes and his Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe winner Cousin Casey (Vercingetorix) has not fared much better in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, drawing 34 out of 36.

Not only that but Grinkov and Countdown have drawn 30 and 32 respectively in the Champion Stakes.

However, there is some family cheer, because his Drakenstein homebred Hold My Hand has drawn three in the Thekwini, while his brother Nathan’s Golden Horseshoe runner up Royal Victory has drawn three in the Champion Stakes. 

The one-two in the BSA Sales Cup for colts and geldings, Mover And Shaker and Now I Got You, are both in the Champion Stakes and drawn 19 and 13 respectively.

The winner of the BSA Sales Cup for fillies, Feather Boa, is entered in the Thekwini but has drawn wide in 28.

The runner up in that race, Canadian Summer, has drawn two and will attempt to give the Ivan and Darryl Moore yard their first Grade 1 winner since Fighting Warrior won the Golden Horseshoe on July day in 2011.

River Queraress is an interesting entry in the Thekwini. She finished third in the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Championship, but is bred to go this trip. She has drawn quite well in 13 depending on how it cuts up.

Golden Slipper runner up Woodland Retreat has drawn wide.

Impressive Highveld fillies Gobsmacked, None Other and Lady Of Power are other notable entries. 

Another interesting Thekwini entry is today’s debut winner Shantastic (Rafeef), a stablemate and half-sister to the Dean Kannemeyer-trained stalwart Waterberry Lane. 

Itsrainingwilliam and Mercantour are among the notable entries in the Champion Stakes.

Maharanee, who undid her impressive unbeaten record by pulling in the Golden Slipper, is entered in both the Thekwini and Champion Stakes as is her stablemate River Queraress.

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