The Gr 1 Gauteng Sansui Summer Cup has not been won twice in succession since the Jean Heming-trained Roland’s Song completed the feat 25 years ago, but the Geoff Woodruff-trained Master Sabina could achieve it again this year.

The seven-year-old Jet Master gelding impressed in his preparation run and goes into tomorrow’s big race off only a one point higher merit rating than he had last year. Compared to last year he is effectively 1,5kg better off with his stablemate Deo Juvente, whom he beat by 0,2 lengths. He had better luck in running than Deo Juvente last year but is drawn well again in 6. Lastly, he has enjoyed a better preparation than he had last year and on top of his one build up race has had four grass gallops.

Deo Juvente has also had a good preparation and although facing a tougher task at the weights is drawn in 8 this year compared to 18 last year. He could repeat his runner up spot.

Mac De Lago is full of class and coming from the Weiho Marwing yard his one preparation run will be enough to have him spot on. He is capable of carrying topweight so from a plum draw of three will be a big runner.

The Conglomerate overcame a wide draw to win the Vodacom Durban July and will have to do so here too, so Piere Strydom will have to work his magic again. The Conglomerate was 2,5kg under sufferance in the July and was only raised five points so effectively runs off the same rating, which gives him a good chance. He has enjoyed a good preparation.

Saratoga Dancer showed his liking for Turffontein Standside in the Charity Mile and the only draw back he has here is his wide draw.

Samurai Blade looks to be off a lenient merit rating, considering he has a Gr 1 second and third to his name, so he should be involved in the finish from a good draw.

The aforementioned are fancied to finish in the top six in the order mentioned. However, none of the twenty runners can be ignored.

Punta Arenas loves to gallop so is interesting in his first visit to Turffontein Standside from a good draw.

Liege should be improving being by Dynasty, but as a handy type has it tough from a draw of 12.

Juxtapose is big and strong and full of class, so won’t be bumped around by the boys, and it would be no surprise to see her go close off an attractive merit rating.

Master Switch looks to have come into his own and has the Woodruff factor on his side.

Master ‘N Commander is better than his last run when trapped wide, but will have to be ridden cold over a trip which will stretch his stamina capacity.

Mogok Master didn’t have it pan out well for him last time and now has blinkers on, so with luck n running could be one of the dark horses.

No Worries is six points lower in the merit ratings than he was two years ago when finishing sixth.

Judicial has a fine record in this race and was “bursting out of his skin” before unfortunately casting himself in his box earlier this week. He will only line up if the swelling on his leg has gone down.

Stonehenge could be dangerous from the front with a lightweight, but the downside is his wide draw.

Ten Gun Salute is a dark horse from a fair draw over an ideal trip as he has plenty of ability, although he does need things to go his way.

Irish Pride is 2kg under sufferance and has a stamina doubt, but was finishing strongly in the Charity Mile and for a very much in form yard is another dark horse.

St. Tropez should love the course and distance and is drawn in pole. He is 0,5kg under sufferance, but has always struck as one who could go places. However, both his July and his Charity Mile runs were disappointing.

Romany Prince has a tough draw and has to bounce back from an ordinary run in the Charity Mile, which was his only preparation outing.

Bankable Teddy is better than his Victory Moon run when over racing behind a slow pace, but he has a tough task being 4kg under sufferance.

In the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans, Heavenly Blue has a wide draw, but should relish the step up in trip. He could give Mike de Kock his second successive win of the prestigious three-year-old level weights event, although it looks highly competitive.

The third race, the Gr 3 Daily Sun Magnolia Handicap over 1160m, features Green Pepper. She looks to be a top class sprinter in the making and runs off a capped merit rating, having obliterated older horses last time when under sufferance. She is the best bet on the card.

The Gr 3 Fillies Mile has the days value bet, Tambalang, who found plenty extra last time despite appearing to over race a touch. She has a wide draw but with luck in running could cause an upset.

The Gr 2 Gauteng Ipi Tombe Challenge could see Polyphonic fighting it out with Negroamara. Polyphonic appears to have come into her own and gets the nod.

By David Thiselton