KZN’s first meeting of the new season today has eight competitive races on the poly and punters could make up for the general losses experienced in a tough eLan Gold Cup meeting on Sunday.

In the first race over 1000m Just Vogue looks to have some class on top of her pace and should run all the way to the line. Aphrodeity’s Rain was a bit keen in behind runners on debut over course and distance after being slowly away but ran on well and Delpech has stayed aboard, albeit from a tough draw. At Variance is at her best over 1000m and has a fair draw with a 2,5kg claimer up.

In the second race over 1600m Joy To Joy is an honest sort who has run well from a similarly wide draw over 1400m on the turf and she proved last time she enjoys this course and distance. In the aforementioned 1400m race she touched off White Rose, who had jumped from a better draw, and the latter is better drawn here too. White Rose is by Dynasty out of a Jet Master mare who won over 1600m so she should enjoy this step up in trip. However, a concern is she made a breathing noise in that 1400m race at the end of May and hasn’t run since. Willowgrange can earn here if repeating her last run over course and distance. She is widely drawn but Anthony Delpech is now up. Dress For Success improved last time to run a fair race over this trip on the turf and has the same 4kg claimer up albeit from a wide draw. L’Attitude is another who could earn despite a wide draw. The Mike de Kock-trained Silver Causeway is by Silvano out of a Giant’s Causeway mare who hasn’t produced a winner yet from three runners. The Gavin van Zyl-trained Maximum Refund is by Tiger Ridge out of a Rich Man’s Gold mare who has produced a one-time winner at Flamingo Park from three runners.

In the third race over 1600m Coastal Spell goes for a hattrick and can achieve it off only a two point higher mark than her last win which was over the course and distance. All Mine steps back to the trip she had won over before being tried in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and she should be right there despite a wide draw. Wandie’s also goes for a hattrick and is only three points higher than her last win, but although this is a suitable course and distance the wide draw is a concern. Silken might prefer further but has gone close over this trip before and is drawn well in her first attempt at the poly. Ruby Gem won her maiden over course and distance but is back to the 72 merit rating which she had appeared to battle off in her first few handicaps.

In the fourth over 2000m the big horse Visionaire gelding At Long Last is a staying type and should improve further, although a wide draw of ten is not ideal. Mambo will appreciate the step back up in trip and has a fine chance with Anton Marcus up from a plum draw. For Ever also has a wide draw to overcome but has the form to earn.

In the fifth over 1000m Anime was impressive when scooting in over 1000m at Scottsville last time. She beat Just Vogue easily, so the latter’s run in the first should be watched. Anime looks capable of rising above her 84 merit rating. Winter Darling is knocking hard and is well drawn over an ideal course and distance with Anton Marcus up. The talented Vampirella has her third run after a rest over an ideal course and distance and jumps from pole position.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

In the sixth over 1000m Jason Argo went close over course and distance last time from a similar wide draw when showing good gatespeed and early pace, allowing him to slot into a fair position before running on. Significantly Delpech is now aboard.  He faces Ilanga on 1kg better terms for a short-head beating. The latter is now very widely drawn which is a problem because although he likes to come from off the pace he can be strong in the early stages. Destined For Dawn is preferred as the main danger. He is off an attractive merit rating and his last run over course and distance can be ignored as he missed the break and his run on the outside was then blocked. His good draw with a 4kg claimer up is perfect for his usual style which incorporates good gatespeed and early pace. Kept Secret has a nice draw for a change over a suitable course and distance. Delicious Damowin comes down to an attractive merit rating.

In the seventh over 1200m Master’s Spirit is widely drawn but flew from behind In his first run after gelding and can do so again. Executive Power should love the course and distance from a good draw. The Stone Thrower has topweight but has the pace and class to be a threat. Aldric is speedy and could be dangerous from a low draw with a 4kg claimer up. Silence Descends is off a competitive merit rating. Mr Roy, Al Ciberano and Kiss Me Hardy can’t be ignored in this open race.

In the eighth over 1400m, Dynamic Force is only two points higher after winning over course and distance last time and as he over raced in that event he will have a big shout if settling from pole position with the blinkers now off and Delpech still aboard. Hejira looks leniently merit rated after a facile maiden win over course and distance and Marcus is up again. Big Si is 3,5kg better off with Dynamic Force for a short-head beating so must have a shout.

David Thiselton