There look to be some opportunities for punters to go thin in two or three legs of the big Classic meeting carryover Pick 6 at Turffontein on Saturday – estimated to reach R4million.

In the Gr 1 R2 million SA Classic the long-striding Mike Azzie trained Abashiri can afford to be given a more conservative ride than he was in the Gr 2 Betting World Gauteng Guineas when driven into the lead early in the straight and holding on for a comfortable 2,5 length victory. He is drawn well again. His giant stride dwarves those of his rivals and it would appear only bad luck in running can cost him victory.

Brazuca ran on resolutely from a long way back in the Guineas. He also has a nice long stride and will relish the step up in trip, so could pose the main danger. S’Manga Khumalo has jumped ship from Lunar Approach on to Liege and this looks a wise decision as this improving son of Dynasty will relish the course and distance. Champagne Haze was waited with for ages in the straight in the Guineas before running on for second. From pole position and with Gavin Lerena up he should also be thereabouts, especially as Lerena’s judgement of pace would undoubtedly have been sharpened up in Hong Kong. Muwaary has been crying out for this trip and will be fitter than he was for the Guineas. Romany Prince stayed on from last in the Guineas and then proved his liking for a tougher test when winning the Listed Drum Star handicap over this trip in very soft going. He faces stronger here but Delpech is now up from a plum draw of five. Suyoof did too much early in the Guineas so can’t be written off with a likely more conservative ride. Samurai Blade is a dark horse as a classy long-striding sort who could benefit from the faster pace of a Gr 1 race.

The Gr 1 SA Fillies Classic will see the jockeys being a lot more wary of Heaps Of Fun. She won’t be allowed to dictate as she did in the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic. However, she still has a fine chance as she can also run from off the pace if necessary and will enjoy this trip. The Geoff Woodruff-trained Alexa, whose eye catching run from the back of the field in the Fillies Guineas started towards the outside and ended up right on the inside, makes most appeal of the others. The improving Witchcraft is an Oaks type who could earn from pole position. Fillies Guineas runner up Negroamara will also enjoy the step up in trip as will Princess Vurunya, Frosty Friday, Persian Rug and Christmas Carol.

The ground on the day is likely to be fast so Legal Eagle and Ice Machine look likely to fight out the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m. This could finally be the luckless Silvano gelding Ice Machine’s day as his good draw of five should enable his exhilarating turn of foot to be unleashed to its maximum capacity.

The last leg of the Pick 6 could be fought out by Cool Chardonay, Storm Warning and Marmalady.

The first leg looks to lie between He’s A Var and Seattle Singer.

The third leg is the Gr 3 Jacaranda Handicap, which is very open and punters will have to consider including the whole field.

By David Thiselton
Picture: Ice Machine (John Lewis)