Trainer Paul Peter has a strong hand in both the R1-million Gauteng Guineas and the R500,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas with Majestic Mambo and Folk Dance respectively. But both will have to overcome wide draws.

Both Gr 2 races will be run over 1600m on the Turffontein Standside track on Saturday. The Guineas is also the first leg of the R2-million SA Triple Crown while the Fillies Guineas is the opening leg of the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara. The other races concerned are the R2-million SA Classic and R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, both Grade 1 races over 1800m on April 7, with the final legs – the R2-million SA Derby and R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks – run over 2400m on Saturday, May 5.

There is little doubt unbeaten Majestic Mambo is a Triple Crown contender, especially as he has won all three of his races over 1800m. He has been unextended so far and has done nothing wrong. However, he could battle winning the Guineas from 11 draw. It could be on the sharp side and the field has just 200m to cover before they hit the bend.

Nevertheless, he has been priced up as the 22-10 favourite with Betting World with Surcharge, who is drawn even wider at 14, second favourite at 4-1. Both horses will have top jockeys in the irons with Gunter Wrogemann aboard Majestic Mambo, who cost just R40,000, and Piere Strydom on Surcharge who looks way above average.

Dingaans winner Monks Hood will not have too much work to do early on as he is drawn 7. Anthony Delpech, who has ridden Majestic Mambo in his last two starts, stays with Monks Hood for the Guineas as he has to honour his retainer. Alistair Gordon’s charge looked good in his comeback run at Scottsville two weeks ago and along with Surcharge are the top-rated runners. He is on offer at 6-1.

Sean Tarry has three runners but unfortunately his best performed pair of Big Bear and Wonderwall are drawn widest of all at 15 and 16 respectively. As a result they are on offer at 14-1 and 16-1.

The other two horses in single figures are the impressive Greek Fire from the Mike and Adam Azzie yard and Mike de Kock-trained Royal Crusade who is drawn 1 and has Anton Marcus up.

Betting World have opened Folk Dance and Fish River as joint 5-2 favourites. However, just like Majestic Mambo, Folk Dance is drawn 11. In her favour is that she is ideally distance suited. Gavin Lerena is back in the irons.

Fish River is only slightly better off at 9 but the Mike de Kock-trained filly is in good form right now and has Delpech up.

Unbeaten Radiant Splendour is the “unknown quantity” in this race as she has been impressive in her two wins and is drawn well at 5. Marcus has the ride on Gary Alexander’s charge.

Opening betting:

Gauteng Guineas: 22-10 Majestic Mambo; 4-1 Surcharge; 6-1 Monks Hood; 13-2 Greek Fire; 8-1 Royal Crusade; 14-1 Ideal Secret, Noble Secret; 14-1 Big Bear; 16-1 Wonderwall; 20-1 Vacquero, Puget Sound; 25-1 Cash Time; 40-1 Pietro Mascagni, Silver God; 50-1 State Trooper; 66-1 Alssakhra.

Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas: 5-2 Folk Dance, Fish River; 11-2 Radiant Splendour; 8-1 Silver Thursday; 10-1 Cashel Palace; 12-1 Awfaa; 14-1 Aurelia Cotta, Takingthepeace; 16-1 Dame Kelly; 20-1 Green Top, Pale Lilac; 25-1 Rockin Russian, Pearl Of Bahrain.

– TABnews