David Thiselton

THE Grade 1 WSB SA Classic over 1800m has attracted a strong field of eleven and will serve as the latest round in the intriguing battle for supremacy among the three-year-old males.

Malmoos is the leading candidate on the Highveld in the race for Equus Champion three-year-old male as he is undefeated at home and in two out of province runs won the Grade 2 Concorde Stakes over 1600m and was unlucky when unplaced in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas.

On pedigree he should stay every inch of Saturday’s race over the tough Turffontein Standside track as he is a full-brother to Captain Splendid, whose two Grade 3 wins were in the East Cape Derby and the  Lonsdale Stirrup Cup, both over 2400m.

On running style he should also see it out as he ran handy in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and then emerged the victor of an eye to eye tussle in the straight with Copper Mountain and still had enough left to ensure the closing Catch Twentytwo could not catch him.

He excellent gatespeed helped him from pole position in the WSB Gauteng Guineas but possibly worked against him in the Cape Guineas from a wide draw as he ended up being caught outside of the frontrunning type Seeking The Stars. He will thus need some luck from a tricky draw of seven here and will hope the two known pacemakers Shah Akbar and Bingwa run alongside each other or a gap opens for him to slot in.     

Catch Twentytwo was staying on strongly for second in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and did not have as good a passage as Malmoos despite being drawn two so did well to finish just a quarter-of-a-length back. He is out of Argonaut one-time-winning sprinter Ignition Lady and is a half-brother to Fly Away who holds the course record for 1000m at The Vaal. However, he is by stamina influence Elusive Fort which gives him hope of staying the trip. He took a while to get going in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggested he was looking for 1800m but on the other hand he takes quite a keen hold early on and is drawn out in barrier position nine.

His stablemate Dr Doolittle is drawn widest of all. He should be up to this class as a typically progressive son of Ideal World’s who has twice carried topweight to victory in open handicaps over this trip, which is no mean feat for a three-year-old. He is one of three horses in this field who look suited to 1800m but were not suited by the muddling pace of the Grade 3 Sea Cottage over this trip. The other pair are the long-striding Al Muthana, who takes an age to get going in the straight, and Bold Jazz, who stays on steadily over shorter. Both of the latter have enough stamina on pedigree and could be outside contenders if they get a better pace.  

Copper Mountain stayed beside Malmoos doggedly for a long time in the straight in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and was being eased at the line so could have got closer than his 1,40 length third. On pedigree, being by Noble Tune out of a Fort Wood mare whose only win was over 2000m he should enjoy this trip and he has a fair draw of five although Raymond Danielson does not retain the ride. Callan Murray replaces him and Danielson is aboard Flying Carpet.

Copper Mountain’s stablemate Second Base, fourth in the WSB Gauteng Guines, has been at his impressive best over this trip and this progressive, big-actioned horse will have a fine chance from a good draw of four.

Flying Carpet is unfortunately drawn wide as he could have represented good value. He is way better than his last start, his first attempt at this trip, when caught wide and then being rushed around the field. He not surprisingly faded and this progressive horse could still be a surprise package if Danielson, who is no stranger to Grade 1 success, is able to get him covered up quickly. On pedigree he should relish this trip being by stamina influence Judpot out of a Kabool mare whose two wins were from 1950m to 2000m.     

Bingwa has some class but was exactly 2,50 lengths back in both the WSB Dingaans and WSB Gauteng Guineas which suggests he is held. One case that can be made for him is that having set the pace in the WSB Gauteng Guineas and being swamped he then proceeded to stay on as well as any of the four in front of him so he might be looking for this trip. He is by Pathfork and his dam by Century Stand won from 1200m to 1600m but there is some stamina further down the pedigree.

Shah Akbar has become disappointing after an easy win over the useful Nartje over this trip and will have to bounce back from two below par runs.

Kingsley’s Heart should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but he has not convinced he is this class.