1 - COSMIC SPEED 59.5kg Draw 1
Trainer: Sean Tarry Jockey: Gavin Lerena
He has had two decent warm-up races since going to Cape Town and did not perform badly in either of them. This will be his first venture beyond 1600m but it’s worth noting his full-brother won two races over 2000m. He has the current champion jockey up and has the class to run well.
Career: 14 Runs; 4 Wins; 7 Places. Earnings: R2,009,050
2 - EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN 59.5kg Draw 2
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Richard Fourie
Last year’s winner and the current favourite to do it again. If at his best he will be hard to beat, but has had only one run since finishing second in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. That was in the recent L’Ormarins King’s Plate and he was slightly disappointing, but he will strip fitter now and is unbeaten in three starts over 2000m, two of them at this course.
Career: 12 Runs; 5 Wins; 6 Places. Earnings: R6,970,212
3 - SAIL THE SEAS 59.5kg Draw 3
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Muzi Yeni
A talented runner who is right up there with Eight On Eighteen on form. He finished second to him in the G1 SplashOut Cape Derby and then beat him in the G2 KZN Guineas at HWB Greyville. Has had two excellent warm-up races and has the form to be a real threat in this race.
Career: 13 Runs; 5 Wins; 5 Places. Earnings: R1,284,200
4 - GLADATORIAN 60kg Draw 4
Trainer: Stuart Ferrie Jockey: Sean Veale
A classy individual who has had two decent warm-up runs in the Western Cape. He was disappointing in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate but lost ground at the start and got too far back. He did finish well and although held by a number of other contenders on that run, he is always dangerous and cannot be written off.
Career: 30 Runs; 11 Wins; 10 Places. Earnings: R2,967,825
5 - GARRIX 59.5kg Draw 5
Trainer: Piet/Elbert Steyn Jockey: Keagan de Melo
A vastly improved performer since gelding and was narrowly beaten in the in the G2 Green Point Stakes. Had no luck when 10th in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate so that run is best ignored. He is probably better suited to this distance and could provide some decent eachway value.
Career: 12 Runs; 4 Wins; 5 Places. Earnings: R975,812
6 - THE REAL PRINCE 60kg Draw 6
Trainer: Dean Kannemeyer Jockey: Craig Zackey
Showed tremendous courage when holding off all challengers to win the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. He beat Eight On Eighteen to win the July last year and although 1kg worse off, he has had the perfect preparation, is in top form and should be ideally suited to this 2000m. Could be the runner they all have to beat.
Career: 13 Runs; 6 Wins; 3 Places. Earnings: R5,467,343
7 - LEGAL COUNSEL 59.5kg Draw 7
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Aldo Domeyer
The lowest-rated runner in the field, this four-year-old gelding has his work cut out at the weights against this level of opposition. One of six runners from the Justin Snaith yard, his best form is over shorter and he could well be used as the pacemaker for his more fancied stable companions.
Career: 12 Runs; 5 Wins; 3 Places. Earnings: R912,275
8 - NATIVE RULER 59.5kg Draw 8
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: JP van der Merwe
Only a two-time winner and both those victories were over 1600m. He looks well held by a number of runners on form and should battle to be competitive over this distance against this class of field. Another who could be used to ensure a true pace.
Career: 12 Runs; 2 Wins; 5 Places. Earnings: R425,212
9 - THE EQUATOR (IRE) 60kg Draw 9
Trainer: Tony Peter Jockey: Rene Piechulek
A superbly bred import who has been a little disappointing so far but is not performing badly. Finished 4.25 lengths back in fourth in the G2 Premier Trophy over 1800m and received some positive feedback from his German jockey, who will be in the saddle again. As a result, this well-bred son of Galileo was supplemented into this race and is one to include in Quartets.
Career: 12 Runs; 3 Wins; 6 Places. Earnings: R360,187
10 - SEE IT AGAIN 60kg Draw 10
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Andrew Fortune
A top-class three-year-old, this now six-year-old went off the boil for a while but has had a new lease on life since moving to the Western Cape and teaming up with jockey Andrew Fortune. He was desperately unlucky in both the G2 Green Point Stakes and the G1 L’Ormarins King’s Plate. This is his ideal distance and a huge run is expected.
Career: 28 Runs; 7 Wins; 14 Places. Earnings: R5,706,375
11 - 11 OKAVANGO 59.5kg Draw 11
Trainer: Justin Snaith Jockey: Callan Murray
A runaway winner of the G2 Premier Trophy last time but was ideally suited by the slow pace and was able to get away from his opposition. Has not been able to trouble the best runners around so could battle at the business end in this field but could run into the backend of Quartets.
Career: 12 Runs; 4 Wins; 5 Places. Earnings: R833,925