S’Manga Khumalo will return from a suspension to partner not only the WSB SA Triple Crown-chasing Safe Passage (Silvano) in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic on Saturday at Turffontein but also his much vaunted Mike de Kock-trained stable companion Desert Miracle (Dynasty) in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.

Desert Miracle will be out to prove she stays the 1800m trip of the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, which is sponsored by her owners and breeders Wilgerbosdrift Stud. 

Last time out in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Filllies Guineas (GFG) she was taken to a handy position from a wide draw and after looking to have a ton in hand was allowed to hit the front a long way from home.

However, she began to flounder in the last 200m and was caught and easily beaten by last season’s Equus Champion two-year-old, the Sean Tarry-trained Rain In Holland (Duke Of Marmalade). She was also pipped for second by the Paul Peter-trained Sprinkles.

The question is whether she did too much too early and then went for home too soon or whether she has stamina limitations?  

Khumalo replaces Gavin Lerena who is aboard the Candice Dawson-trained Perfect Witness, who finished a well beaten 6.05 length seventh in the GFG. 

Desert Miracle has drawn better this time in barrier four and the plan will likely be to try and settle her off the pace to ensure she still has some fuel left to used her devastating turn of foot in the closing stages.

Her sire Dynasty gives her a shout of staying the trip, but her dam Welwitschia (Oasis Dream) was a speedster whose three Graded wins were from 1160m to 1450m. Welwitschia did finish a well beaten third to Igugu in the GFG before easily winning a Progress Plate over a mile and then finishing a well beaten second to Dancewiththedevil in the Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes, but the mile probably stretched her at the highest level.

The jury is thus out on whether Desert Miracle will see it out the tough Turffontein 1800m. 

She was expected to sweep all before her this season, at least up to a mile, but a narrow loss in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and then that disappointing third in the GFG now sees her with her back to the wall, a position which often brings out the best in the best. 

Gavin Lerena, a twice SA Champion Jockey, might also be seen to have his back to the wall after being criticised for that ride last time.

Ironically, he replaces Khumalo on the Paul Peter-trained stalwart MK’s Pride (Willow Magic) in the Grade 2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m as Khumalo will be aboard De Kock’s progressive gelding Al Muthana (Deep Field).

Lerena also rides the exciting unbeaten prospect Zeus (Soft Falling Rain) from the Fabian Habib yard in the SA Classic. Lerena said recently this big horse was still under-done for his last start when carrying topweight from a wide draw to win a MR95 Handicap for three-year-olds over the SA Classic 1800m trip.

Safe Passage is drawn eight and Zeus ten and the sponsor WSB goes 14/10 and 8/1 respectively.

They go 14/10 and 16/10 about Rain In Holland (drawn three) and Desert Miracle respectively in the SA Fillies Classic.

Picture: Desert Miracle (JC Photos).