DAVID THISELTON

MATTERHORN (7) is progressive and impressed in his last start in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 when running on strongly for a close second. The conditions of the race did not allow him to be raised in the merit ratings and he otherwise would have copped a ten point raise and carried 5kg more weight in this race.
He is thus well handicapped and, furthermore, is held in high regard by his yard, so he could book his place in the Vodacom Durban July here by winning under Serino Moodley over a trip he enjoys from a fair draw.
SILVER HOST (13) is held in high regard and has proved his ability over staying trips so is an interesting runner in his comeback from a layoff under Richard Fourie and the wide draw should not be too much of a problem as he is capable of running on strongly.
BLACK KNAP (4) looks capable of progressing beyond his current merit rating mark and he should enjoy this course distance from his nice draw. He is by Dynasty whose progeny always enjoy this tight track thanks to their inherited turn of foot.
BAYBERRY (15) is a good looking son of the stamina influence Flower Alley and will be continuing to improve. If it pans out well for him from a wide draw he could be right there.
CROME YELLOW (14) has the ability to be a contender despite carrying 59kg and returning from a layoff although he also has to overcome a tough draw. MARCHINGONTOGETHER (11), last year’s winner, could bounce back to form off a lowered merit rating and warrants consideration.
PATHS OF VICTORY (8) should be cherry ripe to produce his best and, as the winner of the prestigious Gold Cup over 3200m at this course, he must have a shout. BLACKBALL (5) is an enigmatic horse who is capable of producing classy performances but he is not reliable, so he can’t be ignored from a good draw.

INDIVIDUAL HORSE ANALYSIS

1. CATCHAFALLINGSTAR finished a fine third in the Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m in her penultimate start and although raised five points for that effort she can be a contender here stepping back up in trip after a warm up in the KRA East Cost Cup over 2000m last time.
2. MERLIN FROM BERLIN is an honest sort who carries just 52kg but he is 1.5kg under sufferance so it will be tough.
3. PAYBACKTHEMONEY finished a fine second in last season’s prestigious Grade 3 Gold Cup over 3200m but has only had one run since and might still need this outing.
4. BLACK KNAP finished a good second in the Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m recently and has gone close before over this trip so is an interesting runner carrying just 54kg.
5. BLACKBALL gets a good draw and if recapturing the form of his easy win over 2200m here in December he could feature but he does have to put a poor last run behind him.
6. HOLY WARRIOR has finished a close up second in a Listed race over this trip before but this is his second run after a layoff which might be a concern and he is also 3.5kg under sufferance.
7. MATTERHORN ran to 110 when second last time in the WSB 1900 and owing to the conditions of that race he remains on a 100, so this talented progressive type who has gone close over this course and distance before, looks the one to beat.
8. PATHS OF VICTORY, winner of last season’s Gold Cup, would have needed his last three runs and is an interesting contender.
9. FAVOUR was beaten 1,60 lengths by Matterhorn when they last met over 1950m and is now 4kg better off but will have to improve on his 2400m form.
10. SHARE HOLDER has always been well regarded and has overcome a hoof problem but he looks held by Favour on their meeting over 2200m.
11. MARCHINGONTOGETHER is a talented stayer who won this race last year but he has been disappointing lately and needs to bounce back although he has consequently come down in the merit ratings and champion jockey Warren Kennedy rides.
12. SAINT PHILIP has won his last two over this trip but is 8kg under sufferance so needs a further step up.
13. SILVER HOST was labelled by trainer Justin Snaith “the best stayer in the country” recently and this Listed Ardmore Jamaica Handicap winner and Grade 2 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers (2800m) runner up will be out to prove it here although it is his first run for four months.
14. CROME YELLOW, also having his first outing for four months, is 2.5kg better off with Silver Host for a 2,95 length beating in the Reserve Stayers.
15. BAYBERRY has claims having won the Listed Kenilworth Cup over 3200m and recently running a fine third in the WSB Highland Night Cup with top weight meaning he 5.5kg better off with Saint Philip for a half-a-length beating.