Tin Pan Alley gallops to an easy victory in the Gr 1 wfa Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (JC Photos)
Andrew Harrison (Race Coast)
Tin Pan Alley will be out to prove the handicappers assessment of his ability is correct when he starts in the Gr2 WSB Guineas at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
The Guineas and the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas along with the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes traditionally mark the start of the three-month Champions Season and all three events have attracted top class fields.
Tin Pan Alley got shunted up from 117 to 128 after demolishing Gr1 WSB Cape Met winner See It Again in the Gr1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes at Turffontein, wining by an increasing four-length margin.
Strictly on that run, he should have his opposition dead to rights but there are a few blips on his radar that give the opposition some hope. Tin Pan Alley finished down the field in the Gr2 Dingaan’s behind Trust and then a modest effort behind Splittheeights in the Gauteng Guineas, admittedly from a tricky draw. However, Keagan de Melo is two-from-two on Sean Tarry’s runner and a repeat of his Horse Chestnut showing should see him difficult to beat.
One can never discount a runner from the Mike and Mathew de Kock stable and they saddle One Eye On Vegas who finished ahead of Tin Pan Alley in the Gauteng Guineas. He also finished a creditable fourth in the Gr1 SA Classic behind Grand Empire and was staying on well behind the more than useful older Gr2 Hawaii Stakes winner Cats Pajamas. He should be cherry-ripe come the day and can exploit any chink in Tin Pan Alley’s armour.
There should be little between Star Major and Happy Verse given their last two encounters in the Politician Stakes, won by Star Major, and the Gr1 Cape Derby behind the filly Wish List with little more than a neck separating them on both occasions.
In the WSB Fillies Guines, Quickstepgal will be looking to add a second Guineas to her resume after winning the Gr1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas back in December last year. She ran a smart warm-up in the Umzimkulu Stakes where she was unable to give the well handicapped Keukenhof 6kg. She is over her ideal trip and should run another big race. Tienie Prinsloo’s filly will, however, be up against the Justin Snaith-trained Gr 1 Cape Derby winner Wish List. Although a dual Gr1 winning filly, winning the Gr1 Paddock Stakes at her penultimate start, she may prefer it a touch further and find herself out-paced late although she has the canny Andrew Fortune aboard. Of the balance, Princess Of Gaul arrived from the Cape in good form winning her last start and should be a contender from a handy gate while Beach Verse has excellent form in blinkers but does jump in class.
Many will be warming up for the bigger races to come in the Gr2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes but they will all need to get past Vaughan Marshall’s galloper Questioning. He won in good fashion on the course last time out and the extra furlong will not trouble him from the best of the draw.
Biggest threat could come from Gladatorian. Stuart Ferrie’s stalwart is back on his favourite course and won last year beating See It Again. His Western Cape campaign did not quite go according to plan but he was never far back in the big races. Outlaw King has consistent Cape form for Dean Kannemeyer and has won over the distance. He could be the pick of the stable runners in spite of the presences of last year’s Hollywoodbets Durban July winner The Real Prince who is a class act on his day but could be short of a gallop or two. Nathan Kotzen fitted Cats Pajamas with linkers for his last run and the decision paid off as he put in a sustain finish to easily win the Gr2 Hawaii Stakes at Turffontein. Cat Pajamas has always been a smart horse and may now be coming into his own. Legal Council is up there with the best but like The Real Prince may be short of a run while Des McLachlan makes his first ever foray into Champions Season with Jet Force, a winner of his last three, and another victory is not out of the question although it will be tough going in spite of his high rating.
