The Gr 1 Mercury Sprint meeting at Greyville tomorrow will be full of interest as there are not only five features, but there is also a jockeys’ interprovincial being contested by the KZN Falcons, the Highveld Hawks and the Western Cape Falcons.

The Mercury Sprint over 1200m looks likely on paper to be fought out by Carry On Alice, Captain Of All and Fly By Night, with Trip To Heaven and Legislate being the dark horses.
Carry On Alice gets the nod as a look at the time she ran when winning the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint puts her ahead of Captain Of All, whom she also beat in the Computaform Sprint, although she did lose to him in the Betting World Cape Flying Championship after being made to stand in the stalls for ages.
Captain Of All was only caught late here in a Gr 1 over 1400m as a two-year-old so will handle the course and his speed, class and good preparation will make him a tough nut to crack.
Legislate is unbeaten at Greyville and all four wins were in Gr 1s (from 1600-2200m). His class and devastating turn of foot could carry him close.
Fly By Night will be running on strongly in the defense of her crown and considering she was only beaten 1,8 lengths by Carry On Alice in the City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint when jumping from a tougher draw she should finish close to the latter.
Trip To Heaven is not far off the best on paper and was only just not ready for Scottsville in time, so should be fit now and his speed, class and plum draw make him a runner.
Willow Magic enjoys Greyville and was undone by a false start in the Gr2 Post Merchants over course and distance, so he is another with an outside winning chance, although he appears to prefer further these days.
Daring Dave loves Greyville and together with the talented African Dream could earn a cheque.

The Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m could be won by Cosmic Light, who impressed on debut and the form has been franked. She has a wide draw but there could be a fast pace here set by Khaleesi, who is drawn one inside of her. Khaleesi could stay on for second ahead of Frosted Honey who will be running on late but might prefer further. Rebel To The Fore would not be a shock winner having run on well to win on debut over 1000m. Lala clearly enjoys this course and distance, but this is a step up in class.
The Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m is of below par standard and Buckinghampshire’s class could tell. However, staying all the way to the line from a wide draw might be a bit of a concern and Top Form is the back up. The Port Elizabeth raider Oriental Tiger is drawn in pole and was not stopping when winning by over six lengths on debut over 1000m, so he could be a contender.
The Listed Off To Stud Handicap over 1600m on the poly could be won by Euphoria who won with a bit in hand over course and distance last time and is best in at the weights again. Enchanted Silk loves the poly and could give cheek despite being better over a touch further. Resolution looked primed on Vodacom Durban July day over 1400m and duly delivered with a strong finish and she is as good over this trip too.
The first is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1200m for fillies and mares. Real Princess looks to have plenty of class, having shown a tremendous turn of foot to win easily at Scottsville last time over 1100m, and she might prove too good for the useful Beloved Country.
The Listed Queen Palm Stakes over 2400m could be won by the up and coming Deputy Ryder, who looks likely to relish the trip. Semra and Counting Angels make most appeal of the rest.
The second race on the poly over 1600m is the first leg of the Rider Cup interprovincial and S’Manga Khumalo could get one on the board for the Highveld Hawks by winning with Sword Storm who is able to produce a strong finish over this course and distance so the wide draw will be of little concern. Cakewalk ran on well over this trip at Scottsville last time and should be right there. Princess Milo should also be in the shake up.
The third is over 1600m on the poly and two-year-old Mambo Mime looked full of class when running on to win on the turf over this last trip last time despite having pulled hard throughout. If he settles here he will be hard to beat. Phoebus has some good Cape form and could be the back up together with Flying Fellow, and others to consider are Mystic Express, Fantasy Art and Celtic Captain.
The fifth is over 1200m on the poly and sees the return of Gemini Gold, who has a touch of class and the draw and trip look ideal for a horse returning fresh from an eight month layoff. Trainer Dennis Bosch could afford to give him a break for a joint injury, as he is the owner, and he said although he might need it he expected him to be right there as he was a “smart horse”. Salesman, Grey Light and Cinema Scope look the chief dangers. Gun Fighter and Theseus can also be considered.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Carry On Alice (Nkosi Hlophe)