There’s plenty of fascinating action to look forward to this weekend, including the SA Classic on Saturday.
Turffontein (Saturday)
Race 5 – William Robertson
William Robertson produced an eye-catching return last time out, winning by half a length over a much shorter distance. The manner in which he finished off suggests he’s been perfectly prepped for a race of this magnitude and looks the class of the race being the top-rated horse here. The son of Rafeef is three from three over this course and distance and should be in the winners’ enclosure once again.
Race 6 – Feather Boa
The first of the two Grade 1 races on Saturday starts with the SA Fillies Classic with Feather Boa standing out as the top selection. The daughter of Flower Alley finished off powerfully in the Fillies Guineas with the finishing line coming a bit too short for her. Now, with the extra 200m on offer, she should take the power of beating from a neater draw. It’s also encouraging that Richard Fourie retains the ride.
Race 7 – Billy Bowlegs
Billy Bowlegs has come to life in recent outings, winning back-to-back races, seeking a hat-trick of wins in the Grade 1 SA Classic. Both of those runs have come over this distance and he seems at home over nine furlongs. He does have a wide draw to contend with but with some luck in running, the son of United States will be tough to oppose.
Race 8 – Litigation
Gavin Lerena and Sean Tarry team up for the Wernars and a host of other owners with Litigation looking for another win under his belt. The 4-year-old son of Greys Inn has won both starts over this course and distance and returned from his break with an impressive win over Nebraas. As mentioned, Lerena retains the ride and has ridden him to four of his six victories.
Greyville (Sunday)
Race 1 – Chelsea Blue
The racing public is running out of superlatives to describe jockey Keagan de Melo this season and with the form of his horse, Chelsea Blue, he should be able to get her over the line to break her maiden for the Duncan Howells stable. The daughter of Canford Cliffs has finished runner-up in her last two starts and should get it right on Sunday.
Race 2 – Super Fast
Super Fast looks to be the standout horse when looking at form here, and from a good inside draw of barrier gate 2, Sean Veale should be able to guide him home for the Tony Rivalland stable. He over-raced in his last start over 1400m and should be better suited to the furlong drop-in trip to 1200m.
Race 7 – Camora
Camora has won his last two races in fine style, and now with in-form apprentice Siphesihle Hlengwa claiming the 2.5kgs off his back, the weight turnaround should be the difference in this contest. The hat trick is definitely on the cards here as the son of Master Of My Fate seeks his fifth win in six starts.
Race 8 – Cyber Time
The last time Cyber Time was at Greyville, he went to the front and fought of all challengers to win by over a length. He goes over a similar trip to that triumph and with Serino Moodley aboard, he should be the one to beat. He is 1kg better off with Twice Golden, who beat him last time out, so a form reversal could be one to look out for.