Anthony Delpech has six rides at Turffontein’s big racemeeting on Saturday and the best of them looks to be Al Sahem in the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m.
Anthony Delpech (Nkosi Hlophe)
The Sean Tarry-trained Silvano colt lost his unbeaten record in his third career start in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas when touched off 0,2 lengths by Janoobi.
Delpech said, “He had missed an intended run in the build up to the Guineas due to the rain, but still ran a great race and he will be better suited to this further distance.”
Delpech believes Saturday’s event is a two horse race between his mount and the Mike de Kock-trained Heavenly Blue, who was staying on strongly for third in the Gauteng Guineas and will relish the step up in trip.
Delpech has not been riding Al Sahem work, but the latter has likely come on from his Gauteng Guineas run and is well drawn in four.
He has been priced up as the 12/10 favourite with Heavenly Blue at 2/1.
Delpech also rides a Silvano in the Gr 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, the De Kock-trained Orchid Island. She started favourite for the Gr 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas, but was beaten 3,6 lengths into third by Smiling Blue Eyes.
Delpech said, “She will also enjoy the step up in trip, but I think it will be virtually impossible to reverse form because we are widely drawn this time and Smiling Blue Eyes is now well drawn. I will have to drop her out and we can’t afford to give Smiling Blue Eyes start.”
Delpech does not know much about Desert Rhythm, whom he rides in the Gr 3 Pretty Polly Stakes over 1100m, but she must have as good a chance as any here unless Kissable bounces back after her dismal showing last time.
Al Sahem (JC Photographics)
He is aboard Raasmaal in the Gr 3 Man O’ War Sprint over 1100m.
He said, “She has good form, but is obviously not the De Kock stable choice as Callan Murray is aboard Ektifaa.”
Raasmaal is not fully exposed, but nevertheless faces a tough task at the weights against the like of Green Pepper, Ektifaa, Exquisite Touch and out-of-town horses Pillar Of Hercules and Red Chesnut Road.
Delpech said he could only hope for a place on Romany Prince in the Gr 1 weight for age HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m with the like of Legal Eagle, New Predator, Rafeef, Kangaroo Jack, Mac De Lago and French Navy in the field.
However, he believes he has a good chance on Save The Rhino in the Gr 3 Caradoc Gold Cup over 2850m. This Mogok gelding has proved in his last two starts he stays well and on formlines he is the one to beat.
By David Thiselton
