Danie Toerien
When it comes to North-South derbies, rugby matches between the Bulls and Western Province are always epic.
On the racetrack, an even bigger North-South contest is all set up at Turffontein on Saturday as Western Cape based champion trainer Justin Snaith aims for a Grade 1 double with his two raiders See It Again and Lowveld Lily.
Although Jonathan Snaith on Monday said the double is "highly unlikely", he did not dismiss it as an impossibility.
See It Again, winner of the World Sports Betting Cape Met in January, has been declared a runner in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m.
A three-time Grade 1 winner, See It Again has come back to best after moving to the Snaith yard and, rated at 130, must be a serious contender.
"See It Again will travel up from Summerveld to Johannesburg this Friday," said Jonathan on Monday.
"The move to altitude always brings a touch of the unknown, some horses thrive on it while others take time - but his preparation has been flawless. He is in identical shape to when he won the Gr1 WSB Met and could not be coming to the Highveld in better order.
"He was slightly unlucky in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, beaten just a head, which confirmed that a mile holds no fears for him, especially at Turffontein. If Richard Fourie can get him to relax early and switch off, he should come charging late if he reproduces the work he’s been showing at home."
This gelded son of Twice Over has the benefit of a previous outing to the Highveld when contesting the Summer Cup over 2000m in November 2024. On that occasion he finished fifth under Piere Strydom, beaten 2.5-lengths by Atticus Finch.
On his second trip up country, the six-year-old boasts 4 victories over the distance. Considering that he has finished in the top three on five of his last six races - all Grade 1 and Grade 2 races - he adds a special dimension to one of the best races not just in the country, but in the world.
In the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m, the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara, team Snaith will be represented by Lowveld Lily.
Lowveld Lily, who ran fourth in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas recently when making her Highveld debut, is expected to improve on that performance and could be the one to be with.
"She pulled up fairly well," said Jonathan after that race. "She took some time to recover after the race, which suggests she hasn't quite fully acclimatised yet."
Now that she has been on the Highveld for an extra month, this daughter of Legislate should be a serious contender despite travelling 1800m for the first time.
"Lowveld Lily enjoyed a solid preparation and has remained on the Highveld since, so she is now fully acclimatised. If she can build on that performance and see out the trip, she puts herself right in contention for some valuable Gr1 Black-Type. She’s certainly not without a chance," said Jonathan.
"We’re also delighted to have Callan Murray in the saddle - he knows her well, having done plenty of work on her at home, which is a big plus going into a race of this nature."
Hazy Dazy, Charge It, and Golden Palm, who finished ahead of Lowveld Lily in the Fillies Guineas, have also been accepted to renew their rivalry in the Classic, so it should make for a racing spectacle of note.
Golden Palm, a raider from the Eastern Cape trained by Alan Greeff, is another runner with winning credentials.
After the Fillies Guineas, Greeff committed to keep Golden Palm on the Highveld, saying she's had a good blowing out of the cobwebs on the Highveld after a rest.
This daughter of Master Of My Fate travelled from the Eastern Cape to Cape Town where she she finished 3.80-lengths behind Quickstepgal in the Cape Fillies Guineas before travelling to Jozi for her attempt at the Gauteng Fillies Guineas.
Now settled on the Highveld she will definitely be a factor come Saturday.
Final declarations close at 11.00 on Tuesday.
There will be Hong Kong World Pools betting on the three Grade 1 races on Saturday well as a Pick 6 carryover.