The exciting Robbie Hill-trained two-year-old colt Red Chesnut Road faces his first big test in the Gr 3 Godolphin Barb Stakes over 1100m at Scottsville on Sunday.

The Pathfork colt faced a number of talked about first-timers on debut over 1200m at Scottsville but after showing good early pace he kicked clear effortlessly and destroyed them by 7,75 lengths under Brandon Lerena.

The only detracting point was the winning time of the following race contested by two-year-old fillies which was only 0,5 seconds slower and the winner, Princess Analia, then finished only fifth in a polytrack handicap against older horses next time out off a merit rating of 82.

However, on visual impressions the blinkered Red Chesnut Road looked something special.

Shannon Hill said the impressively built chestnut has improved a lot since then and looks likely to get better and better. He wears blinkers simply due to his naughtiness.

The horse which makes most appeal as the danger is the shrewd Corne Spies-trained entry Timedtoperfection. As a maiden filly this daughter of Judpot will receive 4,5kg from Red Chesnut Road. Furthermore, she is a full-sister to the useful sprinter Aurum Pot and caught the eye on debut over 1000m at the Vaal when running on strongly from some way off the pace and only just failing to get there.

The inside rail will remain 5 metres out on Sunday, which is good news as this appears to have given horses a fair chance no matter where they have been drawn.

David Thiselton
Picture: Nkosi Hlophe