National Champion trainer Sean Tarry has a strong hand in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas, but bookmakers have not necessarily got his four charges, Furiosa, Al Sahem, Matador Man and Tilbury Fort, in the right order.

The Toreador gelding Matador Man is only rated third of the Tarry runners by Betting World at odds of 5/1, but makes most appeal. He comes out better than Furiosa on formlines through both Misty Roller and Al Fahad. Matador Man had to come from an impossible position last time out in the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m, but ran on in eye-catching style to be beaten only 0,6 lengths by the classy filly Ektifaa. However, he was receiving 1,5kg from the latter. On the other hand he looks likely to relish the return to the Standside track with its long straight.

He was an impressive winner of the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track in his penultimate start. He looks likely to stay the 1600m trip, despite his sire Toreador and dam Sahara (Mogok) both being sprinter-to-1400m types. Matador Man relaxes beautifully in the running and has a fine turn of foot. His wide draw is of little concern as he invariably loses a length or two at the start and slots in behind the field. Lyle Hewitson rides.

The most fancied of Tarry’s runners in the betting is the Australian-bred colt by Fastnet Rock, Furiosa, who is second favourite with the sponsors at 3.75/1. S’Manga Khumalo will be aboard. This rangy sort has always given the impression that he would both improve with age and be best suited to a galloping track like Turffontein Standside. He was possibly a reluctant leader last time in a MR 80 Handicap over 1800m in very soft going on the Turffontein Inside track. However, he relaxed well and being in front enabled him to use his big action. He then stayed on resolutely under a typically strong ride by Khumalo and won by two lengths from the useful

Lyle Hewitson rides Matador Man (Nkosi Hlophe)

older horse Amsterdam, from whom he was receiving only 2,5kg. So, it will no surprise to see him going to the front again from a good draw of four, especially as it is a small field, a scenario which often favours front runners.

Furiosa’s distance is not easy to predict on pedigree. On the one hand his sire Fastnet Rock was a twice Gr 1-winning sprinter, and furthermore Furiosa is a full-brother to a Listed winner over 1100m. However, Furiosa’s dam is by stamina influence Woodman and is a half-sister to a Gr 2 winner over 2040m. Visually, Furiosa strikes as one who is looking for 1800m and beyond. However, if the ground remains on the soft side on Saturday, it will favour him.

The unbeaten Tarry-trained Silvano colt Al Sahem is out of Alderry, who finished a narrow third in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas in 2010 and went on to win the Gr 2 November Handicap over 1600m. Both of Al Sahem’s eye-catching wins have been over the Gauteng Guineas course and distance. He is another who relaxes well in the running and has a superb turn of foot. On a line through Amsterdam there is not much between him and Furiosa. He will be improving being by Silvano. Anthony Delpech up and a plum draw of three are two further pluses. However, against him is he has had an interrupted preparation. He is 4/1 with Betting World.

Tilbury Fort, a colt by Horse Chestnut, has a touch of class and is a gallant sort, who keeps finding extra when challenged. He is distance suited too. In his last Highveld start he received 4kg from Guineas contender Chili Con Carne and gave him a 3,9 length beating, so his odds of 25/1 are more attractive than the latter’s 10/1. Raymond Danielson will be aboard Tilbury Fort.

Chili Con Carne has done better since the aforementioned race, but is well held by Matador Man on their last meeting. Tilbury Fort is also well held by Matador Man, having been given 3,5kg and a 1,75 length beating by him in the Secretariat. Therefore, it is interesting to note that on Cape Town 1600m form there is only 1,75 lengths between Saturday’s favourite Heavenly Blue and Tilbury Fort on a line through William Longsword.

All in all it points to Matador Man being the one to side with in Saturday’s Gauteng Guineas, which constitutes the joint first leg of the SA Triple Crown.           

David Thiselton