The Gr 1 eLan Property Group Gold Cup is always one of the most exciting races of the year and Saturday’s running at Greyville will be no different.

Ruling favourite Wild One finished second last year and appears to have improved since being given a long rest. He has landed a good draw of five and has a nice galloping weight.

Storm Warning has benefitted from a breathing operation and bounced back to his best last time out over 3000m at Turffontein. He won’t mind a wide draw because he likes to be dropped out and has the necessary turn of foot to do well at Greyville.

Coltrane has a reasonable weight for a horse of his class and stamina capacity and has been working well since being freshened up.

Kingston Mines could set the fractions and comes in with a fair galloping weight. He didn’t appear to go on with it the last time he tried this trip on the Highveld but on the coast it could be a different story.

In form Solid Speed loves Greyville and is well drawn and nicely weighted. He gives the impression he will stay this trip and has enjoyed a similar preparation to Kannemeyer’s 2012 Gold Cup winner In Writing.

Vino Veritas appears to love her racing and gives the impression she could gallop all day, but she is quite high in the weights for a female.

Hot Ticket is the reigning Equus Champion Stayer and will be a tough nut to crack off a lowered merit rating, but the slight concern is that this is the first time he has tried this trip since a wind operation.

Gold Onyx loves Greyville and gets on well with jockey Grant Behr, but is six points higher in the merit ratings than when finishing third in this race last year.

Wild Ash was staying on when runner up in the Gr 2 SABC Gold Vase over 3000m, but will now be 3kg worse off with Solid Speed for a neck beating, although she will now be cherry ripe.

Disco Al was only accorded a one point merit rated raise for winning the Gr 2 Track And Ball Derby over 2400m at Scottsville last time out and is 1kg better off with Solid Speed for a 1,25 length beating over 2400m at Greyville before that. However, he is not a certainty to stay the full two miles.

Ash Cloud fought back to win the Gold Circle Oaks and has little to lose as this is her final start before going to stud. However, she has a big weight for a filly and is eight points higher in the merit ratings than last year when finishing sixth.

J’s Outsider won the Gold Bowl over this trip at Turffontein and should be cherry ripe. He has a light weight, but his wide draw makes it tough.

Balance Sheet was running on well in the Gr 3 tabGold 2200 and on pedigree has a good chance of staying the trip.

Kolkata is well handicapped on his second place finish in this race in 2011, but has not been in the same form this season.

Gone Baby Gone was found to be a bit anaemic after staying on fairly well in the Gold Vase for fifth and with treatment is expected to be in better shape. He went close in the Gr 3 Chairman’s Cup over 3200m at Kenilworth, but faces the winner Coltrane on 3,5kg worse terms.

Savage Wind was just 0,2 lengths behind Disco Al in the Track and Ball Derby and is now 3,5kg better off. That didn’t appear to be a true run race, but his form in Johannesburg also puts him in with an outside chance.

Wild One is selected to beat Storm Warning, with Coltrane, Kingston Mines and Solid Speed next best.

Futura and Legislate are the main protagonists in the Gr 1 Champions Cup over 1800m. However, Ice Machine is full of class and is tipped to mow them down under Anton Marcus.

Chestnuts N Pearls could give Dennis Drier an amazing sixth Champions Season Gr 1 win in the Thekwini Stakes over 1600m. Flying Ice and Melliflora could follow her home and Persian Rug and Old Em make most appeal of the rest.

The Gr 1 Premier’s Champions Stakes over 1600m sees the top class Rabada facing his first true test and on his first two career performances he looks hard to beat. Prospect Strike is unfortunately widely drawn but will nevertheless be a huge runner and Abashiri, Rikitikitani, Malak Al Moolook, Captain’s Causeway and Cutting Edge are others to consider.

The classy and versatile Jet Belle could retain her Gr 2 Gold Bracelet crown from Gallica Rose and Patchit Up Baby.

The Listed Darley Arabian over 1600m on the poly could see Night Trip retaining his crown as he has recently matched it with the best milers in the country.

The Listed Umgeni Handicap could see a deserved win for Al Ciberano, who has a nice galloping weight. Brutal Force, Barbosa, Moofeed, Tiger Territory and Mod Barley make most appeal of the rest.

Cape Speed impressed last time out and will relish the 1900m trip of the third, which is always one of the most interesting races on the Super Saturday card. He could beat home the well regarded Mooghamir, who was green on debut and should improve.

By David Thiselton