Underworld should relish the step up to 1900m in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 and the big Querari gelding looks ready to come into his own. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The Justin Snaith-trained Underworld is yet to show his best and he should be a big runner in the Gr 3 WSB 1900 under Gavin Lerena on Saturday from a good draw of five. The son of Querari was gelded last Champions Season and has steadily improved since then and is now coming into his own. He will be going for a hattrick here and should have more to come off a 108 merit rating over a trip which he has won over before. This will be only the second time he is running over this trip and it might be what he is looking for. On the downside he is not a Hollywoodbets Durban July entry, while all three of his stablemates in the race are July entries.
The Snaith-trained Okovango is only rated 96 but is on the up and won easily last time over 1800m at this track carrying 61.5kg against older horses. The three-year-old Master Of My Fate gelding is drawn eight out of 14 and Muzi Yeni, who has been doing well for the Snaith yard, gets the ride. Usually the 1900 winner gets a run in the July, but as he will be only carrying 52kg he might have to run again, even if he wins here, to qualify.
Te Mike Miller-trained Narina Trogon will be out to emulate his mother Beach Beauty by winning this race. The Silvano gelding takes after Beach Beauty in some ways, including that he is not the biggest and he has a fine turn of foot. In last year’s 1900 he had a tricky draw and ended up too far back before staying on to be beaten 3,30 lengths into eighth place. He will now be 4kg better off with last year’s winner Future Swing and there is a reversal in draw fortunes too, with Future Swing going from three to six and Narina Trogon going from seven to four. If Narina Trogon breaks well and finds a good position he can motor home like he did to win three features last season, the Listed Kings Cup over 1600m, the Listed WSB Sledgehammer over 1750m and the Listed Compendium Insurance Brokers Thukela handicap over 1600m. He should stay the 1900m trip on pedigree being by Silvano and Beach Beauty being a Dynasty mare who won up to 2000m. 1750m is the furthest he has won over, but subsequent to his 1900 effort last year he finished a 1,60 length third to Oriental Charm in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m. He was receiving 7kg but the latter is now a 125 rated Hollywoodbets Durban July winner and a WSB Met runner up. Narina Trogon has had plenty of racing so will be nice and fit.
The Frank Robinson pair should so well too. Madison Valley needed his last two and will relish the step up to this trip. He packs a strong finish and leading jockey Craig Zackey takes the ride from draw seven.
Shoot The Rapids will be cherry ripe after two recent runs following a long break subsequent to his unlucky Gold Cup second. He would prefer further than this but he has plenty of class and could be in the shake up.
The Snaith-trained Native Ruler was not disgraced when beaten 5,75 lengths by Eight On Eighteen in the Gr 1 Splashout Cape Derby, but he has not raced since and has a tricky draw of nine. However, his profile is not dissimilar to Oriental Charm’s profile at this time last year, so he could be in the mix.
Holding Thumbs has improved into a fine sort and should make a bold bid, although he has a wide draw which does not augur well for one who would probably prefer further.
Last year’s winner Future Swing is highly regarded and was fancied for the July in which he had no luck at all. He has a harder task than last year carrying joint top weight of 60kg but he is the joint highest rated runner and his 2,15 length eighth in the Met shows he is capable of mixing it with the best.
Indian Ocean is weigghted to win the race and on official merit ratings is 3kg better off with any other runner. She has a beautiful long stride and is capable of running from the front or running on from behind. However, she will have to overcome a tough draw.
Cape Eagle is an honest and consistent sort and he is course and distance suited but has a tough draw.
His stablemate Selukwe is also capable of being right there, but he also has a tough draw.
I Salute You is progressive and this Soqrat colt gives the impression he will stay tihe trip, despite being out of a Var mar. However, he has the widest draw of all in the 14 horse field.
Thunee Playa has useful form and is perfectly distance suited and he has a good draw, so he is an interesting runner.
Infinite Wonder is not the most reliable and will need to step up on his last few runs.
