The Sean Tarry-trained Gr 1 Rising Sun Gold Challenge runner up Willow Magic is one of the best weighted runners in the Gr 2 Post Merchants, which will be run over 1200m at Greyville next Friday night.

The former Gr 1 SA Nursery (1160m) and Gr 2 Investec Dingaans (1600m) winner has lost some of his speed and is probably better over extended distances these days, but he did record an excellent time over 1000m in his comeback from a 14 month layoff in January and in his penultimate start he finished a decent fifth in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m. He will be freshened up for this race and his class could carry him close from a fair draw of seven under Piere Strydom.

The weights for the race were set before the Gold Challenge, for which he received a four point raise, so he carries 56kg instead of the 58kg he should be carrying off his 107 merit rating.

His three-year-old stablemate Bichette was favourably drawn when running fourth in the Tsogo Sun Sprint and has landed another good draw here of six. The weight conditions favour fillies, as they receive a 2,5kg allowance, and she will be ridden by champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo.

The Charles Laird-trained Normanz has landed a plum draw of five and his early speed coupled with his resolute finish will make him a huge runner under Anton Marcus. He is officially not very well treated at the weights, but won the Gr 1 Golden Horse Casino (Tsogo Sun) Sprint last season and this can’t be considered as tough a task.

Aurum Pot’s defeat of Sheik’s Brashee over 1160m in his penultimate start now reads well as the latter went on to finish third in the Tsogo Sun Sprint. Aurum Pot is drawn well in three and this speedy sort has to be considered from draw three for the in form Alec Laird yard.

In form Mike Azzie will be out to prove a point with Isphan, who was left out of the Tsogo Sun Sprint despite his 104 merit rating having been higher than one or two that were included. He ran the prolific winner Trip Tease to 0,3 lengths over 1000m in his penultimate start and then ran a decent fifth in the Gr 1 Computaformm Sprint over 1000m, beating the like of Willow Magic and Tevez. He is drawn fairly well in eight and championship chasing Gavin Lerena is aboard.

Daring Dave didn’t enjoy the best preparation going into the Tsogo Sun Sprint but ran a fair race. His trainer Justin Snaith won this race last year and he is drawn well over a suitable trip.

Brutal Force is drawn 13 but the early pace and resolute finish of this strong horse could see him in the shake up. Nothing went right for him in the Tsogo Sun Sprint but otherwise he would likely have confirmed that he had improved with gelding.

Tevez is known for his exceptional turn of foot from off the pace, which makes him ideally suited to Greyville. He finished a 1,85 length fourth in this race last year with joint topweight, but this year is sole topweight and faces a better field, although he is drawn two as opposed to nine last year.

Moofeed is an ultra consistent type and this is an ideal trip. He has a tough draw of 14 but is capable of a strong late run.

Kingston Boy has a fine turn of foot and ran second in this race last year from pole position, but he is now four points higher in the merit ratings and drawn wide in 15.

Sheik’s Brashee remained on a 103 merit rating despite his Tsogo Sun run, but Scottsville is his best track and he has to contend with the widest draw of 16.

Royal Zulu Warrior won over course and distance in March in a Pinnacle Stakes event but has a harder task here in a handicap and he is getting a bit long in the tooth.

Showmetheway benefitted from a change to hold up tactics last season and ran third in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint, so having run a two length sixth in this race last season he can’t be discounted despite being ten points higher in the merit ratings and drawn a tough 12.

Diamond King faces a tough task at the weights on official merit ratings but has never fulfilled his considerable potential and could surprise.

Equity Kicker is another who might prove better than his current merit rating suggests and he could also be a dark horse.

Royalsecuritypower is largely kept to 1000m these days but has won over course and distance before. He is drawn in pole but has never faced a field as strong as this before.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Willow Magic (Nkosi Hlophe)