The often shoeless champion Talktothestars will have a fine chance of defending his crown in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint over 1200m at Scottsville on Saturday.

He had been disappointing overall this season until his last run in the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m, where he flew home for second in much the same manner as he had when runner up last year. He went on to win the Tsogo Sun last year off a merit rating of 116, so has a fine chance this year off a 113 merit rating. Chase Maujean retains the ride.

Piere Strydom was aboard Talktothestars last year but this year rides the consistent Brutal Force, who was caught late by Talktothestars and Carry On Alice in the Computaform Sprint. He is 0,5 kg better off with Talktothestars for a 0,4 length beating and this tough horse should enjoy the course and distance.

London Call, unbeaten in four starts this season, was beautifully relaxed in the running when winning a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1100m at Scottsville last time out and he then showed an effortless turn of foot, This lightly raced six-year-old gelding has improved and has a chance despite having to run off a 111.

Bull Valley will be a massive runner at his best as he has class as well as a good cruising speed and a fine turn of foot. Last November he finished just 0,3 lengths behind Trip To Heaven in the Merchants over 1160m at Turffontein when receiving 3,5 kg a and he was 2,1 lengths clear of Talktothestars, but will now be 4kg worse off.

It will be on the sharp side for Bulleting Home and he might be a touch high in the merit ratings, but he has class and will be running at them late.

Sergeant Hardy is capable of dominating a race from start to finish as he has tremendous pace and has the ability to maintain it. He should have come on from his last start when beaten 1,75 lengths by London Call and he will now be 2kg better off.

Gulf Storm finished second in this race two years ago off a 109 merit rating and now runs of 106. However, he will need to bounce back from disappointing recent form.

Muscatt holds the 1000 metre Scottsville course record, but appears better over that distance and as a seven-year-old is off his highest ever merit rating.

Search Party is one of the most improved sprinters in the country and has good pace and the ability to kick on as he did when third in the Diadem over this trip in December. He beat Red Ray receiving only 1kg there that day, so is worthy of his 106 merit rating.

Seven-year-old Barbosa loves the Scottsville straight, but has had a bit of a down turn in form lately.

Captain’s Causeway ran 3,9 lengths back off a 100 merit rating last year and is now off a 104, but he does look to have improved.

The rangy Attenborough turned it on in fine style to win the Listed In Full Flight Handicap over 1000m and on that showing has a shout off a five point higher merit rating.

Table Bay has a big reputation but has proved disappointing over a mile and beyond, so is interesting stepped down to this trip.

Captain Swarovski has good pace, but still has to prove he is good enough to justify a 103 merit rating.

Janoobi has won two Guineas events this season from start to finish and as a two-year-old won the Gr 3 Protea Stakes over 1100m. He only runs off a 103 merit rating and is ultra tough, so will likely enjoy Scottsville.

Exelero finished a 2,4 length third last year off a 103 merit rating and now runs off just a 98, so has to have a shout.

By David Thiselton