The Grade 2 TAB/Betting World Dingaans to be run at Turffontein Standside on Saturday is the first big three-year-old event of the season and, although it’s glittering list of winners have prompted many to call for it to be a Grade 1 race, it does not look to have a particularly strong renewal this year.

Promiseofamaster is a smart colt with a big action who will relish this course and distance. He has a fair draw and should make a bold bid.

Mike de Kock has a fine chance of making it two in a row, having won it with the mighty Hawwaam last year. His highest rated runner this year is Frosted Gold, a powerful Australian-bred grey gelding. Frosted Gold’s sire All Too Hard was a Group 1 winner over a mile and his dam won over a mile, so he should enjoy this trip. He has a fair draw of six and can use his good acceleration to good effect late in the day. 

De Kock’s other runner is Marshall, who is unbeaten in two starts. He cruised to a comfortable win last time in a handicap over this trip off an 88 merit rating. This is a lot stronger and he will have to show considerable improvement and he also has a wide draw, but he can not be ignored.

Astrix has some class and will enjoy the step up in trip.

Eden Roc displayed a fine turn of foot last year as a smart two-year-old. He should have come on from his first two runs this season and if bouncing back to his best he is a runner.

Shango is a long-striding colt by Captain Al who will relish the step up in trip after staying on late in the Graham Beck and he is a dark horse. 

The only filly in the race is the classy Cockney Pride. She has a plum draw for a change and this could see her using her strong finish to maximum effect. She has not been at her best in her last two starts but possibly didn’t enjoy the heavy going in the Starling Stakes and had a wide draw to overcome last weekend in the Fillies Mile. 

Donderweer has class but he pulled hard when dropped out from a wide draw over 1450m last time so the step up in trip from another tricky draw doesn’t augur well. If he does manage to settle he could be a surprise package.

John Hancock won a good race last time out over this trip but he is a sort who prefers tighter tracks.

Steak And Ale ran a cracker for fifth in the Graham Beck but he is well held by Frosted Gold on these level weight terms.

Battle Of Alesia would need plenty of improvement to feature here.

Oyster King took eight runs to win his maiden so is unlikely to be a threat. He ran a good second first time out the maidens but that was off just an 80 merit rating.

By David Thiselton