The rich rewards of the R2,5 million CTS Ready To Run Stakes follows another fervent session of bidding in the sale arena at Durbanville on Friday evening.
The class of 2018 includes five fillies in a quality mix of sixteen runners.
Cirillo stretches William The Silent in the SA Nursery
The visitors look to hold the ace in the form of SA Nursery and recent Cape Classic runner-up Cirillo. By some way the best rated runner in the race, the Pomodoro colt only has to beat his far-out barrier gate to win the race. Anton Marcus is in the saddle for the first time.
On the flipside of the coin, his stablemate Second Request has drawn against the rail. While the top-rated filly in the field, it is difficult making more than a place case for her.
Geoff Woodruff’s Iditarod Trail is a highly regarded son of Go Deputy who will strip after a fair recent fifth behind Gunston on his home track up North.
Majestic Mozart was backed and made up plenty of ground in the Cape Classic, where he finished a 3,40 length fourth to Twist Of Fate. The son of Dynasty is likely to be a Derby candidate in time and this may be short for him.
Crown Guardian was beaten 12 lengths by Soqrat in the Premiers Champion Stakes last term and failed to show when staying on steadily at his prep run. He was beaten 3 lengths by Twist Of Fate in the Listed Somerset 1200 as a 2yo.
Seventh Sea was well beaten in the Cape Classic but had fair earlier form and could place.
Sophomore Sprint runner-up Elusive Trader failed to kick in the Cape Classic but his form looks better than that.
Elusive Trader chases Pleasedtomeetyou in Listed Sophomore
Richard Fourie partners the fast-improving Captainofthesea, a very impressive winner of his last start in an admittedly low-key handicap. The son of Captain Al could surprise the Joburg visitors.
Rocket Girl has totted up three on the trot since her maiden win but will find this tougher against the boys and from a wide draw.
Sweet Mary Lou showed some pace when beaten 3,30 lengths by Stream Ahead in the KZN Guineas Trial. She has first run in the Cape and is yet to win on the turf.
Anneka was well beaten in the Western Cape Fillies Championship – close on 14 lengths behind Clouds Unfold. She is another who will need improvement.
Vascostreettractor failed to show in his post-maiden run after winning a weak maiden at Durbanville.
Sally Called is the fifth of the Tarry visiting contingent. She was beaten 7 lengths by the classy Van Halen last time and has her first start beyond 1200m.
Joey Ramsden – master of our fate? Watch Lucky Dancer from good draw
Joey Ramsden’s Lucky Dancer has been consistent in bursts and does not have the worst form. He would have a place chance on his best 2yo showings.
Recent maiden winner Black Indy has drawn very wide and looks held in this line-up.
Ashley Fortune’s Vaal visitor Rocky Night travels a long way to jump from a 15 draw and the son of Seventh Rock has some improvement to make to take on the likes of Cirillo.
The latter is the selection to win it.
