From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Big exotic markets through the HKJC World Pools and tempting fixed odds prices on Interbet will get the pulses of horseplayers racing on Champions Day at Turffontein on Saturday.

In the SA Nursery, scratchings have reduced the Colts version (Race 3) down to just four remaining entries. Gimme a Vodka has done best so far from three starts and he will start deep odds on

In Race 2, Get Up, Good Day Sunshine and Griselda s/s 85 + sport the most attractive credentials amongst the Highveld fillies. 

Gqeberha invader, Fateful Love is a mystery - trainer Alan Greeff and Craig Zackey are a powerful combo worthy of the utmost respect, but she only beat off weak rivals in an unremarkable adjusted time at Fairview on debut.

Race 4 is the Gold Cup over 2850m. The shortlist comprises fast finishing marathon runner Enflame who may get the right set up with pace-forcers Poets Warrior and Daimyo duking it out, plus steady performer, Aladdin’s Lamp. 

Race 5 is the G2 Hawaii Stakes over 1400m. Main Defender s/s 115 ex was a super-star earning some monster figures prior to being laid off. Unfortunately, he’s not come anywhere close to matching those numbers at two starts since and can be opposed till he proves he’s got his mojo back. 

Faith is instead placed in developing 3YO One Eye on Vegas s/s 105 +, classy-on-his-day, Cosmic Speed s/s 106 and distance specialist, Texas Red s/s 105. They are selected in that order. 

Multiple G1 heroine, Double Grand Slam s/s 108 makes her first foray to Jozi’s high altitude, always a query for coastal horses no matter how skillfully prepared and good they are, in the Empress Club Stakes (G1). 

The mare towers above rivals on pure ability and is quoted at 9/10 in early markets. 

Rainbow Lorikeet s/s 104 and Golden Palm s/s 102 are viable back-up’s, should Double Grand Slam fail to cope with the altitude. 

Wider considerations are Callmegetrix s/s 102, Rodeo Drive s/s 101 and Minogue s/s 101, but they will need Double Grand Slam to underperform significantly to get a look in.

The G1 Computaform Sprint features yet another standout on the speed figs – Tony Peter’s ace sprinter, Buffalo Storm Cody s/s 111 who has a formidable “home” record at Turffontein. 

He is listed at 8/10 in the ante-post market which seems a bit short given the helter-skelter nature of a race decided on fine margins.

Defending champ, William Robertson s/s 109, Truth s/s 106, Ziyasha (mixes his form but can run 108 at best) Taxi to the Moon s/s 106 and emerging talent, Constellation s/s 105 + make a larger contender list for this exciting 1000m dash.

The HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (Grade 1) is carded as Race 8. High class, See It Again s/s 110 is clearly the best horse in the field but a tricky customer to call right as he can be stubborn, slow or hang badly. An energy sapping 2000m should suit ideally and, despite his temperamental quirks, he remains the horse to beat. Hence quotes of around 15/10 in the antepost market.

Fire Attack s/s 108 also has issues but can go some when all parts are in working order. Okavango s/s 107 is tough to pass – if he handles his trip up to Turfffontein this free striding, front-runner could stretch foes out of their comfort zone.

3YO old Grand Empire s/s 108 rates upsides of those mentioned. He is a query going ten panels for the first time but has the raw ability to mix it with older rivals.

Hazy Dazy s/s 100 is trying to round off the Triple Tiara with a win in the G2 SA Oaks, having won the Fillies Guineas and Fillies Classic already without undue fuss. She is offered at 6/10 to do so. That said, with all bar recent Maiden winner Stampede Ahead s/s 84 unproven over the 12-furlong trip, an upset is possible.

Littlemissmillion s/s 90 ++ has been staying on nicely over 1600 and 1800m and may do better still going a longer route. And Charge It, though held safe in the first two legs of this series by Hazy Dazy, scored 97 + in December 2025 over 1800m so could be another who relishes this test of endurance.