David Thiselton

THE South African racing public will be gripped by WSB SA Triple Crown and Wilgerbosdrift SA Triple Tiara fever by mid-afternoon today and most will be hoping to see both Malmoos and War Of Athena writing a new chapter history.

Malmoos’ connections will be confident he stays the 2450m trip of the Grade 1 WSB SA Derby as he is a full-brother to twice Grade 3 winner over 2400m Captain Splendid who had a similar handy running style as Malmoos and also had the ability to kick when  challenged. Malmoos is simply a classier and speedier version of Captain Splendid. Malmoss has fine gatespeed but will not want to be in the front as his comfortable pace up there will likely be too fast, so Luke Ferraris is going to have to rein him back. He did take quite a keen hold when he had to do this in the Grade 1 WSB SA Classic. He found cover quickly in the latter race but will he be as fortunate this time? 

Flying Carpet, who has plenty of substance and scope for improvement, took a while to settle when being dropped out to last in the SA Classic but he crossed the line a 2,75 length fourth and was finishing fastest of all. He has enough stamina in his pedigree and if he settles quicker he could be a threat. 

SA Classic runner up Second Base is rangy sort and although by Gimmethegreenlight his third dam is the Grade 1 Natal Oaks (2450m) winner Kiss of Peace. He relaxes well in the running and has a good turn of foot.  

Pamushana’s Pride steps up in class but is progressive and strikes as one who will enjoy the trip.

Bold Jazz has some stamina in his pedigree and stayed on well for fifth in the SA Classic.

The others look held on form although some might consider the Weiho Marwing coupling knowing how good he is at training stayers.

War of Athena just needs to stay to outclass the field in the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks field and she should do. Her sire Act Of War is by stamina influence Dynasty and was a Cape Derby (2000m) runner up. Furthermore, War Of Athena is a half-sister to a horse who has won over 2450m. The small filly will have the benefit of pacemaker again and a wide draw has not bothered her before as she relaxes well and has a tremendous turn of foot. 

SA Fillies Classic runner up Netta is well drawn and her sire Where’s That Tiger has produced SA Derby third-placed Samurai Blade and her damsire Indigo Magic is out of Lady Carla, who won the Epsom Oaks by nine lengths. 

Magical Flight did not have cover when handy in the SA Fillies Classic but stayed on well for third so she can place again if getting better cover. 

Sparkling Water was only a quarter-of-a-length behind the latter in the SA Classic and being by staina influence Silvano should be improving, although she has a tough draw. 

Ideal Jet looks the best of the rest having proved she stays and with further improvement to come being by Ideal World out of a Jet Master mare.

The Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m looks to be at the mercy of Got The Greenlight who showed how good he was in the Ilha Bela Hawaii Stakes last time when going close despite needing it badly. He relaxes well and has an exceptional turn of foot so a wide draw should not be of much bother.