A high class field headed by former Equus Champion Legislate and defending champion Ice Machine will line up in the Grade 2 Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes to be run at Greyville Racecourse this coming Friday evening.

Legislate, a former Vodacom Durban July winner, makes his Champions Season debut since finishing sixth in the J&B Met at Kenilworth back in January. Prior to that he was a close-up second to Legal Eagle in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate. Legal Eagle scored a good victory in the R4-million Premier’s Champion Challenge run at Turffontein this past Saturday.

Just how Legislate fares in the Drill Hall will likely determine whether Justin Snaith supplements his charge for the Vodacom Durban July as his name was significantly absent from the initial list of 65 entries unveiled at the launch of South Africa’s Champions Season a fortnight ago.

The gallant seven-year-old Ice Machine returns to his favourite course and distance to defend his crown. It has been up and down to the Highveld this season for him but there is little doubt that Charles Laird’s runner is a different proposition over the Greyville 1400m.

Whilst Anton Marcus has been Ice Machine’s regular pilot, the former champion will forgo the ride to partner The Conglomerate for leading owners Ingrid and Markus Jooste. It will be a year to the day of The Conglomerate’s last victory that came in the Grade 2 Canon Guineas, one of two supporting features on this Friday’s card, where Marcus will ride likely favourite Rabada for the Jooste’s and trainer Michael Azzie.

Also in the Canon Guineas field are Investec Derby winner It’s My Turn and Baritone both from the Justin Snaith stable and the exciting pair of Sylvester The Cat and Ten Gun Salute from the Duncan Howells yard.

Top class filly Silver Mountain will bid for a Fillies Guineas double when she lines up in the Grade 2 Daisy Fillies Guineas, the second supporting feature on the evening. Winner of the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas, she was a close-up fourth in the colts equivalent and most recently second in South Africa’s first million dollar race.

The meeting kicks off the three months of South Africa’s Champion Season and Greyville patrons will be treated to some high class racing come Friday night.

ENTERTAINMENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY

Apart from the thrilling horseracing there is lot’s on offer at the course with the Galloping Gourmet Beer Festival and happy hour from 6 to 7:30 pm in the Lightning Shot Bar.  It is also a great chance to catch an early evening bite at the adjacent Braai Zone, where the thrill and excitement of the night can be enjoyed right alongside the racetrack – a great meeting place for friends who gather and relish the evening’s atmosphere on the lawns.

Live entertainment this Friday evening will be provided by The Gee Jays and the popular KidZone with full supervision, fun and entertainment will be in operation throughout the racing so be sure to bring the kids along.

Lots of parking available and entrance to Greyville Racecourse is FREE.

By Andrew Harrison