From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Billed as Super Sunday, the Gold Cup Day staged at Greyville is one of the biggest on SA’s racing calendar featuring Africa’s greatest equine marathon, plus nine other feature races.

With local carryovers there will be big pools in the Pick 6 (around R8 million) and Jackpot (estimated R2 million). The World Pool’s initiative pioneered by the Hong Kong Jockey Club sees massive single race pools, as well.

And for fixed odds bettors, Interbet.co.za is the go-to choice when punting and taking potentially high-paying multiples.

In the Gold Cup, King Pelles stands out. He won the race in 2025 and after a sterling run from a wide draw (s/s 108) in the Durban July three weeks ago, has a favourites chance of doubling up. Early quotes have him at around 2/1.

His main dangers are Native Ruler, Magic Verse, Ahead of the Facts, Holding Thumbs (ran second last year) Master Redoute, Shoot the Rapids and Enflame. The Gold Cup is carded as race 7, off time 16h35.

Alice B Toklas can get the job done in Race 4, the Douglas Whyte Stakes for 2-year-old fillies. She was badly impeded at her previous start yet still rallied to only go down by a length to Palace of Arvernia. With a clear round she should improve on her figure of 86 + which could then be good enough in this Grade 2 for juveniles over 1400m.

Two daughters of promising sire, Malmoos rate her main threats. Within Reach, like Alice B Toklas is trained by Sean Tarry, and Marchland who rides for Kelly Mitchley from the Eastern Cape. If you don’t want to lean too heavily on Alice B Toklas as a banker, then all three can be used in the opening Leg of the P6.

Who can win the Grade 1 Mercury Sprint? Historically, a speed figure of 108 or higher is needed. Being drawn towards the inside (lower numbers) is a distinct advantage given the configuration of Greyville’s bendy track and short straight.

By requiring that our “qualifiers” for this year’s 1200m showdown meet the speed figure winning par and are favorably drawn, the focus is on Tenango s/s 112, O’Tenikwa s/s 109, Buffalo Storm Cody s/s 110 and Jet Force s/s 111.

7/2 ante post favorite, Questioning complicates matters. He has the top speed figures of 114 and is in cracking form. Against him is barrier 11.

The HKJC Champions Cup is a Grade 1 over 1800m. A field of eight will face the starter at 17h15. Pace is a key element of any race be it a high-level showdown such as this, or a low key, trappy heat.

Legal Counsel s/s 112 will be dangerous is shaking loose on the lead but won’t enjoy a protracted duel with another confirmed on-pace runner, Dave the King. 

He could be vulnerable in deep stretch to classy “swoopers” – The Real Prince s/s 115, enigmatic See It Again s/s 114, Eight on Eighteen s/s 112 and 2025 victor, Gladatorian s/s 112.

As indicated by the figures, it could be a close-run thing. The Real Prince, who has specifically targeted this race is arguably the most dependable of this cohort, loves Greyville and has a powerful turn of foot. So, he gets the nod.