Sheik’s Brashee was touted for a place by trainer Mike Miller before the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m at the end of May and didn’t disappoint, finishing third despite opening at odds of 50/1, although he was backed into 33/1 on the day.

Miller said the four-year-old gelding by The Sheik was as well as ever before his engagement in Friday night’s Gr 2 Post Merchants over 1200m at Greyville, but he was not as bullish this time. He cited his extreme outside barrier position of 15 and his preference for the Scottsville straight as two negatives. However, he has decided to run him from the draw as he comes up for auction in the Michael Holmes Bloodstock Super Sale in the Greyville parade ring on June 25, where he will be lot 30, so he has nothing to lose.

The middle draws between barrier positions 5 to 8 appear to be the most favourable in this race by trends and the widest drawn horse to have won it in recent times has been Splash Gold who won it from draw eleven in 2011.

On the plus side for Sheik’s Brashee is that the handicapper didn’t alter his 103 merit rating after the Tsogo Sun, in which he received 6,5kg and a 1,75 length beating from topweight Captain Of All.

The Post Merchants weights are decided on merit rating bands and Sheik’s Brashee will only be 0,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted horses.

Apprentice Mathew Thackeray keeps the ride.

By David Thiselton

Sheik’s Brashee (Nkosi Hlophe)