3 minute read

The R400,000,Grade 1 Premiers Champions Stakes (1600m) on Marshall World Of Sports Gold Cup Day at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday forms one of the biggest hurdles for punters because two-year-old form is always difficult to analyse.

Quantum King  led from start to finish over 1200m around the turn on Turffontein Inside and it was never in doubt as he cruised to a 3,25 length victory. The form has not worked out well to date but the pole position draw will allow him to employ the same tactics and being by Querari and a half-brother to Kommetdieding he will relish the step up in trip on pedigree.

Waterberry Lane  responded well to the rider's instructions when dropped out from a wide draw in the Grade 2 Durban Golden Horseshoe over 1400m and he then showed a fine turn of foot before mowing the field down to win going away. He might have to use the same tactics and being by Soft Falling Rain out of a Fort Wood mare this good looking colt, who has plenty of substance, should make a bold bid.

Good Traveller  ran a fine third in the Golden Horseshoe considering he was caught wide throughout from a wide draw. He has another wide draw but being by Visonaire out of a Western Winter mare who won over this trip will be a big runner if able to find cover.

Splashdown  is a long-striding individual who has plenty of scope for improvement. He showed a good turn of foot when coming from second last in a small field 1400m event at Hollywoodbets to just get up. His pedigree casts a stamina doubt because although his dam is by stamina influence Judpot and he himself is by miler William Longsword, his dam was a sprinter and he is a half-brother to the useful What A Winter sprinter Mr Cobbs. However, he gave the impression that he would stay the mile.

Gaudis Masterpiece  is a maiden but finished a fast finishing second in the BSA Sales Cup over 1300m. He is by Vercingetorix, who won the Daily News 2000, but does seem to impart plenty of speed, and he is out of a Danehill Dancer mare who won over 1450m and who has produced a Gimmethegreenlight Hollywoodbets Greyville poly 1600m winner. The jury is thus out on whether he will stay but he does have a far draw.

William Robertson is a well regarded and scopey colt by the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint winner Rafeef out of a Trippi mare who won over a mile but did not get further. However, he was handy without cover throughout from a wide draw in the Bloodstock SA Sales Cup over 1300m last time out and still managed to stay on for a 0,70 length third. That gives hope he can stay this trip from a good draw. 

Excellarator  has a nice big action and although he has only won a moderate maiden over 1200m in three starts to date he is going to relish the step up in trip. 

Anytime Champ  can't be separated from Excellarator on sprint form. He was slow away over 1160m on debut but hit the front a long way out and stayed on pretty effortlessly so he could be anything. He is a tall horse and What A Winter can get them to stay further than sprints plus his Encosta De Lago dam won twice at Flamingo Park over 1600m.

Starrywinternight  was beaten just 0,90 lengths by Thekwini favourite Rain Holland over this trip at level weights and ran on well that day so has a shout on paper if dropped out from the widest draw of all. 

Partner In Crime led from start to finish over 1450m when last seen on May 6 at Turffontein Inside. He is by sprint-miler Time Thief out of useful Captain Al sprinter Emmajo so there is a stamina doubt but trainer Weiho Marwing is known for his ability to get horses fit and to stay.  

Laird Of Breedon lost by 1,25 lengths to Rain In Holland last time over this trip at Turffontein Standside when receiving 1kg but he did stay on resolutely and the time was relatively good.

Honokalani ran on well after being dropped to the back in the Golden Horseshoe and was beaten just 1,95 lengths. He is by Vercingetorix out of a Miesque's Approval sprinter so the jury is also out on whether he will stay and he has another wide draw to overcome.

Happy And Glorious' chances will be given a boost if Splash Of Green does well in the Thekwini as he beat her by two lengths over this trip in their only meeting. However, he was beaten five lengths in that maiden so would be a surprise winner here despite his improved performance over 1400m last time.

Hasta Manana is still a maiden and on formlines has his work cut out here.

The Premiers Champions Stakes is Race 6 at 11.35pm AEST. The ten race Greyville broadcast commences at 7.35pm AEST on Sky Racing2.