A strong field of runners from all over the country will line up for the R1-million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

Cape Town-based trainer Justin Snaith has opted to bring Star Express, second behind Nightingale in the Grade 1 Majorca Stakes at Kenilworth in January, to Joburg for this Grade 1 race on the Standside track.  Bella Sonata, although based on the Highveld with Chesney van Zyl, represents the KwaZulu-Natal-based Gavin van Zyl yard.

The running of this year’s race will be a royal affair as HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco will be at the Joburg track on Saturday. Her support of the raceday means a number of charities are set to benefit among those the Red Cross, Highveld Horse Care Unit and Gugu Lesizwe Primary School.

“I look forward to once again attending a racemeeting at the historic Turffontein Racecourse and of course continuing the support of a number of worthy causes,” Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene said of her involvement on the day.

“To have the horseracing community rally behind this will be amazing and being able to play a part in restoring some of the glamour back into the sport is also special.”

Princess Charlene was a special guest at the same venue back in 2012 when featuring at the Charity Mile meeting which is held annually every November.

In keeping with her passion to fight for the underdog, Princess Charlene will also sponsor two Maiden Plates over 1400m. They will each carry prize money of R250,000.

Three horses stand out in Empress Club Stakes – top-rated Safe Harbour, Fort Ember and Cape raider Star Express. Safe Harbour is one of five runners who hail from the Sean Tarry stable and her trainer admits she must be the stable elect.

The three-year-old was beaten only a neck by Orchid Island in the SA Fillies Classic over 1800m. She is drawn at No 7 in the 16-horse field and will carry 2.5kg less than her two main rivals.

Fort Ember is a five-time winner who finished fifth behind Legal Eagle in the recent Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m. Trainer Paul Peter believes the horse to beat in the race is Safe Harbour, but added: “Fort Ember is exceptionally well, has a great draw (No 1) and a top jockey (Anton Marcus). She’ll run an excellent race. I’m quietly confident.”

Snaith, who has a string of horses based at Summerveld in KwaZulu-Natal, intends to bring Star Express to the Highveld on Friday but is concerned about her wide draw.

BY: Phumelela Gaming and Leisure Ltd

Final field for the R1-million HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m