From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Esteemed s/s 104+ made a highly favorable impression when destroying opposition on his comeback from injury at Scottsville 37 days ago. He put over five lengths between himself and The Last Duke and could conceivably run an even higher speed score.

He now tries a longer distance (1400m) and a turn for the first time. If handling those changed circumstances, then he could be hard to beat in the Anita Akal Stakes at Greyville on Friday night. Off time is 19h05.

Esteemed is trained by M/M de Kock and will be ridden by Richard Fourie who partnered him to that last start romp. Draw 4 suits as Fourie can get a convenient lead by tracking pacey rivals, Go Grayson Go s/s 100 and That’s My Baby s/s 98. 

De Kock trained, stablemate Greaterix s/s 105? was speedy earlier in his career before going wrong – he could be a pace factor from draw 1 returning after 202 days on the shelf.

Esteemed’s biggest danger is Position of Power s/s 106, a six-time winner of twelve starts, who has earned consistently strong numbers over sprints. Those efforts have seen him raised from an official merit rating of 85 in March to 109 currently.

Keagan de Melo has won four times from five starts on Alysson Wright’s classy Vercingetorix gelding who comes in here off a career top. The 5YO now tries a tad further and is drawn wide in stall 10, so there are a few queries about his chances.

Kaiboy s/s 100 ran on strongly behind Fortress of Fire a month ago and is again a late running threat for the placings. 

Bass Racing stable companion, Future Variety s/s 108 last won almost a year ago and has back figures which would make him dangerous. His recent runs, whilst not too shabby, are below the level needed to trouble the top two, Esteemed and Position of Power.

Imposing s/s 100 was also noted making progress behind Position of Power earlier this month so could hit the board.

Malmesbury Missile takes a drop in class after being pitched too high in the Champions. He still obtained a best figure of 102 there which gives him a shake of making the frame, especially as he won the Byerley Turk over this course and distance in April.

Thisiswhatitmeans s/s 103 got a similar rating when overcoming a bad start to get within 1.5 lengths of Position of Power three weeks ago. He will be dropped out from the wide outside draw of 12, then be held up for a stretch run. Sean Veale knows how best to ride him (four wins and four seconds from ten starts together) and MJ Odendaal’s 14/1 entry, twice a winner over the trip is a must- use in single race exotics.

In summary, Esteemed is quoted at 8/10 in early trade which could be a bit skinny to provoke a fixed odds wager, even though he is the most likely winner. 

Position of Power is an overlay at 10/1, despite concerns about the distance and draw.

The suggestion - they could be boxed in Exactas (4 &10) or taken in Trifectas and Quartets where one must win and the other hit the board, surrounded by other contenders.

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