Doosra has been beaten by Matador Man, Chili Con Carne and Heavenly Blue in the past and has become a difficult customer before the start of his races. But he has plenty of talent and Johan Janse van Vuuren’s runner will have his supporters in the R1-million Betting World Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.

He is an 8-1 shot with the race sponsor, Betting World, and his trainer seems to believe his price is fair because both the Gauteng Guineas and the Wigerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas “look like tough races”.

Doosra showed his ability in the Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m in November when beating top-rated weak favourite Heavenly Blue by a head.

His feisty character then started to develop and he was stubborn going into the pens when fourth behind Singapore Sling, Heavenly Blue and Bold Rex in the Dingaans, his only previous race over 1600m. He was again unruly before a Graduation Plate next time out but won anyway, beating Daffiq by 1.60 lengths with Furiosa (renews rivalry) 4.10 lengths away in fourth place. His next two starts were over shorter and yielded thirds behind Chili Con Carne and Ektifaa respectively.

Janse van Vuuren will saddle Being Fabulous in the Fillies Guineas. This two-time winner is a classy individual who likes to be in control in her races nowadays.

Her second career win came in handicap company where she beat Eloquence by five lengths, which saw her merit rating upped eight points. She then started favourite but might have hit the front a bit too soon when third behind Belle Rose and Babbling Brooke, both of who renew rivalry.

One horse Janse van Vuuren is much more keen on is New Predator in the Hawaii Stakes (Grade 2) over 1400m. “New Predator is very well,” he confirmed. This is a preparatory run for the New Approach four-year-old, who will be bidding to win the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) over 1600m later this autumn. That is a race in which he finished third to Legal Eagle last year.

He has had one preparatory run already, when beating Kings Archer over 1400m at this track last month. Bulleting Home (3kg better off), Kangaroo Jack (6kg better off) and Will Pays (6kg better off) were behind him that day. He is drawn at No 1 and looks likely to start favourite.

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