The Dennis Drier yard said the respective last runs of their Gr 1 Mercury Sprint contenders, Barbosa and Triptique, could be ignored and they had both been doing well at Summerveld.

Barbosa did not raise a gallop in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint, having come off an excellent third in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint. Triptique was tried over 1600m in the Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge and plodded in the straight, having run on well for an excellent second before that in the Gr 2 Drill Hall Stakes over 1400m.

Triptique, who won the Gr 2 Cape Merchants over this trip at Kenilworth back in November, jumps from a tricky draw of eight.  However, stable jockey Sean Veale said, “He does not have a draw to overcome, because he comes from off them.”

Drier has always held this four-year-old Trippi gelding in high regard. The Drill Hall Stakes proved his suitability to Greyville and he could be the dark horse, although he does have a tough task at the weights off an official 106 merit rating.

Assistant trainer Stuart Ferrie believed Barbosa had the turn of foot necessary to overcome a tough draw of 16. Ian Sturgeon, who rode him in the Computaform Sprint, is back aboard.

The six-year-old Captain Al gelding has four wins, a second and a third from seven races contested this season. He has clearly come into his own. He is merit rated 108 and is another dark horse.

David Thiselton
Picture: Triptique (Liesl King)