The hot pot favourite Louis The King won’t mind any sort of going. However, his most impressive victory was in the GR 2 Gauteng Guineas, when cruising in by over five lengths, and that was run in very testing conditions.

Judicial and Earl Of Derby were well clear of the rest in the Gr 2 Victory Moon Stakes over 1800m and that was run in a “bog”. However the trainer of Judicial Tyrone Zackey put that down more to his horse being “very fit” rather than any particular going preference.

Bezanova has won in “very soft” conditions before, so won’t mind the rain, while Master Sabina has won over 1800m on the Turffontein Standside track in slightly soft conditions.

Lockheed Jetstar has won over 1700m before in “very soft” conditions and that is quite interesting as that is the furthest trip he has ever been tried over in his career, although it was only in a MR 77 handicap.

Disco Al has won in “slightly soft” conditions before. As You Like finished a 5,5 length third behind Louis The King in the testing conditions of last season’s Gauteng Guineas and is now 5kg better off.

Bouclette Top won over 1400m in the soft before staying on well for a six length fourth in that Gauteng Guineas event and he will now be 6kg better off with Louis The King.

Jet Belle has won in the soft twice. However, those were both in sprint races and she was beaten seven lengths into third in “very soft” going two years ago in the Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on Turffontein Standside by Triple Tiara winner Cherry On The Top.

Athina has won twice over 1450m in “slightly soft” going, but a possible concern is that in the testing conditions of last season’s Gauteng Fillies Guineas she “moved up and found no extra”, but then ran on well in good faster going next time to win the SA Fillies Classic over 1800m.

Rakes Chestnut ran way below par in his second career outing in heavy going, but trainer Geoff Woodruff put that down to him needing gelding. He has never had to contend with soft conditions since.

Glorious Jet has never won on soft ground before, but finished a close up second in “very soft” going in the Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes over Saturday’s course and distance.  Sovereign Mint has won over 1400m in soft going, but has never raced beyond 1600m.

Everest has won over 1600m in the soft, but has twice been well beaten by Earl Of Derby in soft conditions, including when finishing 5,75 lengths behind him in the Victory Moon, although he is now 1,5kg better off.

Enchanted Silk won well over 1800m on Victory Moon day in the soft which could augur well for her if the rain materialises, although this a considerably tougher task.

Killua Castle and the topweight No Worries have tended to perform a bit below par in soft going. However, No Worries only experienced soft going before his career turned around due to a change in tactics and the statistics could be misleading.

Bold Inspiration is yet to be tried on soft ground. Wavin’ Flag will also be a bit of an unknown as his soft ground experience, in which he performed adequately, only came in his early racing days before he really turned the corner into a feature horse.

Pictures: JC Photos