From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

SA punters are faced with a rich buffet of Grade 1 races for Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday. They must try use home ground advantage when pitting their wits against some of the sharpest bettors around the globe through the HKJC World Pool’s initiative.

Of course, Interbet offer Fixed Odds betting too, as well as the full spectrum of Tote exotica that go into the official pools. Check out the Exchange to get set at the best prices as the markets form.

Some thoughts about the G1’s follow, beginning with the tricky G1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m, which is carded as Race 7, off time 14h25.

The field comes up short with just seven entries. Their speed figures all cluster slightly above 100 meaning there is no obvious stand out.

Top rated, VJ’s Angel is a bit unreliable (s/s 105) but can launch a bold rally when in the right frame of mind; Let’s go Now (s/s 104) comes in off a key race and can outrun her 12/1 quote; White Pearl (s/s 102) is a steady performer; highly promising, Spumante Dolce (s/s 101+) who duffed it last time is eligible to run a bigger number but is priced up at rather skinny odds of 18/10 whilst Cape Fillies Guineas winner, Fatal Flaw (s/s 103) plus Beating Wings (s/s 103) & Lady Fallon (s/s 102) are tightly matched contenders.

Fatal Flaw may hold a pace advantage as the lone speed, but she will need to fend off half a dozen determined stretch runners. Too close to call.

Race 7, the WFA G1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m sees William Robertson (s/s 110) favoured. He won so well last time from filly, Golden Sickle (s/s 108) on a rare dash over the trip that he might repeat the accomplishment of his sire, Rafeef, in winning this G1 sprint.

Golden Sickle, a consistent performer sure to hit her number, at three times the price, may be the “correct” bet, however.

Lucky Lad (s/s 110) is a query over such a short cut but is a late running threat as is another deep closer, Melech (s/s 107), untried over the trip.

Time for Orchids (s/s 103) is shy on the figs and may run out of time to make an impact suggesting a place is the best she can aim for.

There are however, no such doubts about confirmed blitzer, Cruise Control (s/s 109) and emerging 3YO talent, Pistol Pete (s/s 104+) who possess abundant speed and should be added to wider P6 and Jackpot plays.

40/1, rank outsider No Filter (s/s 104) is a daft one to throw into single race exotics such as tris and quartets, though she falls well short of the figures needed to win a G1 sprint.

Fire Attack (s/s 110 +) appeals as the most likely winner in the G1 Champion’s Challenge. Alec Laird’s 3YO is poised to hit a career top after showing up admirably over shorter routes when not quite fully tuned.

He now faces accomplished older rivals such as Royal Victory (s/s 109) pace-presser, Purple Pitcher (s/s 109) and dangerous, stable mate Atticus Finch (s/s 110) but may have sufficient scope to improve past them under expert reinsman, Richard Fourie.

The same jock may also be on the right one in the G1 SA Derby over 2450m. Legend of Arthur (s/s 103 +) shapes as if a test of stamina will bring out the best in him. He has an appealing form pattern third up after a break and you can be pretty sure big race conditioner Sean Tarry will have him primed.

Mike de Kock’s unbeaten, Immediate Edge (s/s 101) is a serious threat whilst Parisian Walkway (s/s 100) Wild Intent (s/s 99) and the much longer priced, Bachus (s/s 98) and Grey Jet (s/s 100) are lurking nearby.

The sole filly, Olivia’s Way (s/s 102) is right in this mix, too and probably over-priced at 12/1. She could be a worthwhile each way touch.

The Hawaii Stakes may “only” be a Grade 2, but it stars a powerful line up. Main Defender, at best over this 1400m has hit the heights with tremendous scores of 115. He does mix his form however, and one cannot be sure he will reach that level again though he scored an excellent 111 when beating reopposing Barberesco (s/s 109) over the course and distance in February.

No question, Main Defender is brilliant when in full flow and probably the one to beat, though rapidly progressive, 3YO Cosmic Speed (s/s 109) will give it a full go based on his stylish defeat of Texas Red (s/s 108) a month ago.

And Gimmefabulous looks intriguing too coming in with just 52,5kg’s. This maturing 3YO Gimmethegreenlight filly can outrun her early odds of 16/1 and whilst it is a stretch to suggest she can topple Main Defender or Cosmic Speed, she might still be used underneath in single race exotics