Last year’s Vodacom Durban July runner-up Marinaresco is reported in good heart for the Rising Sun Gold Challenge at Greyville on Saturday although there is some concern about the trip despite the horse’s win in last month’s Drill Hall over 200m shorter.

Marinaresco Liesl King

Candice Bass-Robinson said: “Marinaresco has been doing well and he is on target for Saturday even though a mile will be a little sharp for him. We have kept him a bit fresh for the race as he needs to be like that to run well over a mile.”

Bernard Fayd’Herbe, who again has the mount, is bidding for his third Gold Challenge win. He scored on the odds-on Pocket Power in 2009 and on 40-1 shock King Of Pain three years ago.

Saturday’s Grade 1 is expected to have an important bearing on the July even though the race’s record might suggest otherwise. Since Flaming Rock won both races for Chris Snaith in 1991, the only Gold Challenge winner to repeat the feat in the same season has been the Justin Snaith-trained Dancer’s Daughter who dead-heated with Pocket Power in the 2008 July.

By Michael Clower