Punters were treated to three thrilling feature races at Greyville Racecourse in Durban on Friday evening when South Africa’s Champion Season got off to a sparkling start of dancing and fireworks and outstanding performances by the three-year-olds.

The three Grade 2 races – The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes, the Daisy Fillies Guineas and the Canon Guineas – set the stage for what could be one of the best seasons at the Theatre of Champions with the finest horses in the country in action.

The performances by the young horses are likely to see a change in the betting for the Vodacom Durban July and in the July Log and punters are likely to be scrambling to get the best odds possible on the likes of the filly Bela-Bela and the colts Black Arthur and New Predator that won their races impressively.

Trainer Justin Snaith and jockey Anthony Delpech clinched the Guineas double with Bela-Bela and Black Arthur to take the major honours on the evening but the performance of the three-year-old New Approach colt New Predator from the Johan Janse van Vuuren stable, that led throughout to win The Independent On Saturday Drill Hall Stakes against a quality older field, was most impressive.

Janse van Vuuren decided to contest this race instead of the Canon Guineas because of a bad draw in the classic event and decided to take on the older horses after his superb third behind Legal Eagle in the Horse Chestnut.

Jockey Weichong Marwing, back from an injury-induced break, showed his outstanding tactical ability by taking the colt to the front from the break then controlling the pace before sending his mount for the judge.

As they headed for the line the Dennis Drier-trained Triptique put in a spirited challenge down the inside rail as course specialist Ice Machine from the Charles Laird stable made his customary flying finish from the back of the field down the centre. They were gallant efforts but to no avail and New Predator went on to win.

Diamond King, that made his run from the top of the straight, ran a gutsy fourth place with Legislate and The Conglomerate running below their known ability.

In the Daisy Fillies Guineas Silver Mountain from the Mike Bass stable was strongly fancied by punters to win but the daughter of Silvano failed to fill expectations with Our Destiny and Bella Sonata heading the early action ahead of Negroamaro and Killer Woman. Negroamaro took the lead in the straight but the Snaith filly Bela-Bela and Nightingale, stable mate to Silver Mountain, put in strong late runs to fill the first two places ahead of Negroamaro and denying trainer Janse van Vuuren a quick double. The Neil Bruss-trained Flying Ice ran well for fourth place.

Bela-Bela in particular had the pundits sitting up and taking notice as she stormed through from well off the pace to win with absolute authority.

Rabada from the Mike Azzie stable and the Snaith-trained Black Arthur disputed favouritism among punters for the Canon Guineas and they showed there may not be too much between them in filling the first two places.

Anton Marcus got Rabada quickly across from his outer draw to slot in behind Sylvester The Cat that set a blistering early pace with Black Arthur settled back in the pack. Rabada took the lead in the straight up the inside rail while Delpech brought Black Arthur down the centre of the track with the Silvano colt producing a powerful finish to snatch the victory. The early dash for position and the hot early pace may have had an effect on Rabada in the closing stages so his less than a length defeat was very good.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mambo Mime ran on for third place ahead of Malak Al Moolook from the Sean Tarry stable.

There were some very smart three-year-olds in action on the night and many will no doubt have the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 and the Grade 1 Vodacom Durban July on their programmes which presents a mouth-watering picture of what racegoers can look forward to in the weeks and months ahead.

Ends