The inaugural running of the R750,000 WSB Grand Heritage over 1475m is sure to be exciting, but as the 28 horse field was chosen on current form and it is essentially a handicap it is not an easy race to assess.
Lunar Approach is the choice to win as he was up with the best three-year-olds last season before going off the boil and he showed last time when running on strongly over 1200m in the Gr 3 Spring Spree Stakes that he had benefited from a layoff. He has come down to a competitive merit rating too. The only concern is his middle draw and whether he will be able to find cover because it seems likely the field will split into two groups hugging the respective rails.
The choice for second is Arctica because he is distance suited and likely well handicapped considering he could have two more wins to his name if he had been luckier in his last two. He is 3kg better off with Bulleting Home for a mere 0,3 length beating in their last meeting over 1450m, although the latter was said to have needed it badly that day.
The surprising choice to fill third is Netflix, as he has always struck as a nice type and in his last few attempts at between 1400m and 1600m at the Vaal he has been undone by unfavourable draws. He will relish a fast pace, as one who stays further, and can use his good turn of foot to run into the money.
Awsome Adam is an interesting runner as one who has a sustained finish and is distance suited.
Donny G has a ton of speed and has stayed on from the front here over 1400m in very soft going to win before, so he could get the trip and will be dangerous if he does.
Chepardo is quite well weighted considering he touched off Pivotal Pursuit in a 1600m race in April, when finishing strongly for second, and is now 7kg better off with the latter. He likes to be handy and has shown a good turn of foot when winning over anything from 1400m to 1700m.
The small filly Alexa has a fine turn of foot and was unlucky last time, so if she can get a run she could earn a place.
Bulleting Home has good cruising speed and a superb turn of foot so could be a big runner despite carrying 63,5kg. He is a robust sort who should love running in a big field and he is drawn close to the inside.
Thrust is an interesting runner as one who has a good finishing burst over shorter, but whom also looked as if he was crying out for this trip when staying on in the Gr 3 Spring Spree Stakes over 1200m.
Celtic Captain quickened well in the Gr 2 Canon Guineas when finishing 6th, despite coming from a handy position in a race run at a furious pace. That augurs well for his chances in this big field handicap. He is 1kg better off with Humidor for a 0,75 length beating over 1400m on the Greyville poly last time out.
Humidor is a progressive sort with speed and class so he could still be on the up and might be well handicapped. He likes to run from the front and it won’t be easy to stave off the closers here.
Front Rank is distance suited and, although not the most reliable sort, his trainer Tyrone Zackey is known for his ability to have them primed for big races. It would be no surprise to him winning.
Moofeed proved in a 1450m event last time he is more than just a sprinter as he stayed on well from midfield. However, he has to carry a Gr 3 penalty and faces Bulleting Home on the same terms despite having been beaten 1,1 lengths by him in that last 1450m event.
Irish Pride has always had a touch of class and caught the eye when winning here last time over 1400m, so he must be considered.
They are selected in the order mentioned.
There are some fair bets in the meeting. Doosra, a half-brother to the like of Captain’s Knock, looks classy and the form of his debut appears strong, so he will be hard to beat in the third race over 1200m, although there are some well-bred first timers in the field.
Paree has come into her own in the typical fashion of a progeny of Silvano and she looks to possess some class, so she could be fair value to upset Seattle Singer in the fifth over 1200m.
The Stone Trower moved up superbly in his Highveld debut before running out of puff, so he likely needed it and can make amends in tomorrow’s sixth over 1200m.
Prince Of Orange has some class and is doing well for his new yard. He is coming into his own now and can win the eighth over 1475m.
Rivarine is packed with speed and class and can make it two wins in succession over 1000m at the Vaal in the 9th race.
David Thiselton
