David Thiselton
Champions Day heralds some exciting clashes throughout the card and like the
WSB Derby and Wilgerbosdrift Oaks day the results might well be favourable for
punters.
All of the features will be sponsored by the new racing operator in weighting
4Racing.
In the big one, the Grade 1 Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2000m, Got The
Greenlight has a freshness advantage over her two chief rivals Malmoos and
Summer Pudding. This will be his third run of the season and he should be
cherry ripe to display his devastating turn of foot. He relaxes well in the
running and his only fault is that he idles once he has hit the front, so Muzi
Yeni will have to time it well. Ideally he will want to be in the slipstream of
Malmoos in the straight. The latter also has a good turn of foot and follows it
with a resolute finish all the way to the line. Summer Pudding has a relentless
finish and she would also not be a bad choice to sit in behind. Malmoos relaxes
well when covered but his fine gate-speed means he can risk being caught wide
from draws of five like this one. Summer Pudding, on the other hand, has pole
position and considering her high cruising speed she will likely be handy
before delivering her powerful finish. These three should dominate the race.
Cirillo has not had much luck in running lately and could fight out the quartet
position with stablemate Tierra Del Fuego and WSB SA Triple Crown bridesmaid
Second Base.
The Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m is wide open but the draw often plays
a part in this race and Chimichuri Run at last lands a nice high draw. Train
Sean Tarry is confident he is in a better place than he was for his last two
below par runs and although this is on the sharp side he could mow them down
late in the day with his superb turn of foot. True To Life has been in
devastating form lately and recorded an excellent time over course and distance
last time, although she does have a tricky low draw of five. Cape Flying
Championship winner Rio Querari also has a tough draw of four. Last year’s
winner Rivarine has the stand-side rail draw and should never be underestimated
as he can deliver a devastating finish if held up with cover. The ever
improving Mind reader has developed into a bull of a filly and can’t be ignored
either. There are others with chances too and it is advised to go as wide as
possible on a day when punters are able to go thin in a few legs.
Sheela is an exciting entry in the Grade 2 SA Nursery as Mike Azzie has
described her as the best filly he has trained since Harry’s Charm. However,
Smorgasbord is going to be a tough nut to crack.
The unbeaten Under Your Spell only has the number one draw to beat in the Grade
2 SA Fillies Nursery but in a field of nine it might not cost her the race.
Heaven’s Girl looks to be the back up.
The Grade 2 Camellia Stakes looks likely to be fought out by Sweet Future,
Tropic Sun and Celestial Love but the first mentioned has a big stride
and exceptional natural speed so is made the best of the day.
The Gerald Rosenberg could see Seehaam upsetting Running Brave as she is crying
out for this trip but it should be a close fight.
In the Grade 3 Gold Bowl over 3200m African Adventure, who gets better the
further he goes, can defy topweight of 61kg at the expense of Don’t Look Back
and Smoking Hot.