The KZN Breeders meeting at Greyville on Sunday provides smaller owners with the chance of winning big prize money as it features the R1 million KZN Breeders Million Mile on turf and also eight other limited polytrack races which each carry a total stake of R200,000.
No Worries could defend his crown in the Million Mile. He is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and from a good draw of six could take advantage of his ability to kick well from a handy position. He has a hard task reversing form with Bezanova on their Gold Challenge meeting over course and distance, but is capable of a lot better and could bounce back to his best as he did in this race last year.
Bezanova has quite a tough draw but has never run a bad race at Greyville and has the advantage of Anton Marcus aboard.
Wild One ran a cracker in the Gr 3 Cup Trial over 1800m last time and is another who loves this course, although this is his second run after a layoff and it’s a touch on the sharp side. Solar Star has improved in KZN and from a good draw over a suitable trip should be a factor.
Run Rhino Run was given little chance last time after being sent to the front in the Gr 1 Daily News 2000, but preferable hold up tactics should see him running on strongly. Front Rank showed some improvement in his third run after gelding last time and could surprise from a good draw over a suitable trip.
In the first over 1200m Harvest Queen appeared to over race in a feature over 1400m last time, so will appreciate stepping back to the course and distance of her impressive debut win.
In the second over the same course and distance the topweight Malak El Moolook is an improving sort who looks likely to be effective over this step down in trip and he could pack too much class here from a good draw. Chosen Dash was outpaced in a feature over 1000m last time but stayed on strongly late so will appreciate this step up in trip. Anthony Delpech is an eyecatching booking on the first-timer Dandy Man.
The talented African Dream defends her crown in the next over 1200m and has run well fresh before so is the one to beat from a good draw. The courageous Virgo’s Babe is the best in at the weights and can never be ignored, even from a wide draw like this, and Pej and Winter Star are both talented sorts with winning chances. Miss Argentina is the lurker as she has not yet had many opportunities to fulfil the early potential she showed.
In the fourth over 1200m Approval Rating ran on too late last time over 1100m at Turffontein and could make amends from a good draw under Anton Marcus. Kingston Boy has a fine turn of foot and always runs well from good draws like this, while the best weighted horse Showmetheway was caught wide in the Post Merchants and has a chance from a good draw. Flyfirstclass and Al Ciberano could be involved too.
Enchanted Silk should pack too much class in the fifth over 1900m, although Mamasita put in a decent effort in the Gr 1 Woolavington 2000 and could be a threat.
Baracah enjoyed the step down from staying trips last time and could win the sixth over 1900m.
The talented It Is Written could carry topweight to victory in the eighth over 1600m and could be chased home by Translunar, who has improved with blinkers.
Euphoria is another one who could be too good despite topweight in the last over a suitable 1600m with Marcus up.
By David Thiselton