KZN raider Monk’s Hood returns to the scene of his career peak triumph when he takes on 15 rivals in the R1 million Gr2 Gauteng Guineas to be run at Turffontein on 3 March.
Monk’s Hood – faces his stiffest test to date
A high quailty field of 16 promises one of the most hotly contested renewals of the classic in recent years, with unbeaten Majestic Mambo and the classy Surcharge adding to an exciting mix.
The race is the Gauteng first leg of the R7-million SA Triple Crown for 3-year-olds – the richest series of races in Africa.
The Triple Crown comprises the R1-million Gr1 Cape Guineas. Tap O’Noth, who won the Guineas is not amongst the final runners.
The Gauteng Guineas is the alternate first leg, with the R2-million Gr1 SA Classic run over 1800m on Saturday 7 April the second leg.
The third leg is the R2-million Gr1 SA Derby run over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday 5 May 2018.
A bonus of R2 million will be paid to the owner of the horse that wins all three legs of the Triple Crown.
Final field:Gr2 Gauteng Guineas
| 1 | 7 | Monks Hood | 60 | 104 | A | A Delpech | Alistair Gordon | |
| 2 | 14 | Surcharge | 60 | 104 | A | P Strydom | Stuart Pettigrew | |
| 3 | 6 | Greek Fire | 60 | 100 | A | W Marwing | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 4 | 8 | Ideal Secret | 60 | 98 | A | C Zackey | M G Azzie/A A Azzie | |
| 5 | 11 | Majestic Mambo | 60 | 98 | A | G Wrogemann | Paul Peter | |
| 6 | 16 | Wonderwall | 60 | 97 | T A | …………… | Sean Tarry | |
| 7 | 9 | Noble Secret | 60 | 95 | A | R Simons | Mike de Kock | |
| 8 | 1 | Royal Crusade | 60 | 92 | BA | A Marcus | Mike de Kock | |
| 9 | 10 | Vacquero | 60 | 92 | A | M Yeni | Robbie Sage | |
| 10 | 15 | Big Bear | 60 | 91 | T A | *L Hewitson | Sean Tarry | |
| 11 | 3 | Puget Sound | 60 | 91 | A | G Lerena | Mike de Kock | |
| 12 | 5 | Cash Time | 60 | 90 | A | R Munger | Gary Alexander | |
| 13 | 12 | Pietro Mascagni | 60 | 87 | A | C Murray | Mike de Kock | |
| 14 | 4 | Silver God | 60 | 87 | T A | …………… | Sean Tarry | |
| 15 | 2 | State Trooper | 60 | 81 | A | …………… | Roy Magner | |
| 16 | 13 | Alssakhra | 60 | 80 | A | C Habib | Paul Peter | |
| Same Trainer – Not Coupled on Tote | ||||||||
| (3,4) (5,16) (6,10,14) (7,8,11,13) | ||||||||
