David Thiselton
THE Grade 2 Gauteng Guineas and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Flies Guineas form the respective first legs of the SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara and both races are full of class and intrigue.
War Of Athena looks the one to beat in the fillies race where she faces arch rival Anything Goes. War Of Athena has more stamina in her pedigree than Anything Goes and takes a while to wind up in the straight so will want a fast pace. This is particularly in view of Anything Goes’ terrific turn of foot. War Of Athena has two stable companions in the race and all three of this coupling have the same ownership. Therefore, it could be that the lowly rated Only The Brave is in to ensure a decent pace. War Of Athena has only beaten Anything Goes once in three outings and that was last time out in the Three Troikas over 1400m where she won by a cosy 1,75 lengths. However, she was giving the latter 1kg and Anything Goes probably needed it too as she was returning from a layoff. However, another clue to this race can be taken from the Grade 1 Thekwini where War Of Athena had a bad draw compared to Anything Goes’s good draw. War Of Athena simply ran out of straight that day in her bid to catch Anything Goes. This time War Of Athena has the better draw and the long straight will give her more time to make up the deficit. Miss Elegance is improving and has the form to fill the trifecta. Castle Durrow is a long-striding sort who is improving and she could also be in the shake up. Caralluma has some class but still has to prove she stays this trip. Gee For Go won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile over this course and distance but was beaten six lengths by Mis Elegance over this trip last time at these same weights. Only The Brave ensured a good pace in the Three Troikas by challenging Caralluma in front but as far as winning chances go she has a double figure number of lengths to find.
In the Gauteng Guineas Catch Twentytwo will enjoy the step back to the Dingaans distance and he has landed a plum draw. He proved his Dingaans win was no fluke by following up in the Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1400m. He is blossoming and is the one to beat. Copper Mountain should relish the step up in trip on pedigree and running style. He was staying on in the Tony Ruffel and finished a two length third at level weights with Catchtwentytwo. He is by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m. He is drawn three and could be the surprise package. Second Base is a long-strider who showed a fine turn of foot when winning the Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes over 1800m, so this shorter trip should not bother him. That race was just two weeks ago which is one slight concern and he also has a tricky draw of seven out of nine. Interestingly his only defeat was when beaten 5,5 lengths into fourth by Copper Mountain over 1200m. Malmoos has won all three of his starts at Turffontein impressively and followed up by winning the Grade 3 Concorde Cup over this trip at Kenilworth. He was then unlucky when unplaced in the Cape Guineas although he did not look likely to win. That race was seven weeks ago so he should have recovered and he has pole position in his first start back at altitude. Mount Pleasant is easily the highest rated horse in the race but the jury is out because he flopped in his first try at this trip having beaten older horses of the like of Cirillo over 1450m before that. It might have just been an off day and he must be included in all exotics. Eliud has shown glimpses of class and could earn and Bingwa was a 2,50 length third in the Dingaans but only fifth in the Tony Ruffel. Kingsley’s Heart looks held by Copper Mountain and this is a big step up in class for Namib Desert.
