From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

This weekend’s featured Stakes is the Gold Challenge over 1600m at Greyville. It is a prestigious Grade 1 race, though high-class middle-distance horses traditionally use it as a steppingstone for the Durban July over 2200m.

Off time is 17h20 – it’s carded as race 7 and forms part of the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pools exotic bets tote initiative.

As usual, here are short profiles of each runner in card order, with the applicable speed figure listed next to their name.

1. QUESTIONING s/s 113 After just missing in the King’s Plate (s/s 108) when pipped by The Real Prince, he has reeled off three successive victories over his preferred trip of 1200/1400m. Draws the inside; goes especially well for Richard Fourie. 5/1 seems like a fair price. Top of the shortlist.

2. LEGAL COUNSEL s/s 107 ran out of his skin in the Cape Met when See It Again only got by late. Tactically dangerous, powerful galloper who runs best handy and draws a low marble. Is teed up for a top effort, third start after a rest.

3. DAVE THE KING s/s 107 Gold Challenge defending Champ going for three in a row. Used to rate higher around 113. Won a gut buster in the Green Point Stakes but two subsequent starts have been well below best. Must be respected as a former HOTY yet was gifted a soft lead in his Scottsville comeback only to cave in when needing the run, so there is a query about his current form. Hence early quotes are pushed out to 14/1.

4. COSMIC SPEED s/s 105 Dashed home in the Senor Santa when reverting to sprints so evidently retains some zest for life. Ran a close third to Sail the Seas in the KZN Guineas over this course and distance when allowed an easy lead. Will face more pace pressure here and his overall profile places this 25/1 shot a few lengths inferior to the main contenders, though he was only beaten under a length is this contest in 2025, earning a speed figure of 105.

5. THE REAL PRINCE s/s 114 Star miler targeting another G1 prize. An abortive March mission to Turffontein can be excused; decent prep when staying on behind Questioning in the Drill Hall Stakes. Likely to use his turn of foot to optimal effect in a true run 1600m. Principal candidate at around 9/2.

6. JET FORCE s/s 105 Very smart miler who runs for Grant van Niekerk, responding best using hold up tactics. Things didn’t work out at all in the Drill Hall (slow, wide, pulled, cut) and better is expected this time around. Got a few lengths to find on the figures, however and is one of the outsiders at 30/1.

7. SEE IT AGAIN s/s 114 consistently one of SA’s highest rated thoroughbreds. Was unlucky not to win the King’s Plate when the fastest finisher despite being disappointed for clear running. Champion middle distance horse with recent 2000m successes in the Cape Met and Premier’s Champion Challenge, both G1’s. Sports a fine record this venue. Hugely respected but 7/2 could be a bit skinny.

8. GLADATORIAN s/s 112 Made an encouraging comeback in the Drill Hall Stakes. That suggests he can repeat his fine try in last year’s Gold Challenge when the strongest finisher, a neck off Dave the King. At 12’s or better, is a reasonable each way alternative at a course he loves.

9. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN s/s 111 + paired big figures of 110 and 111 at three when sweeping all before him during a stellar campaign [won the Met, Derby, Daily News and was just pipped by The Real Prince in the ’25 DJ]. Lightly raced at intervals since without breaching those scores, so this 4/1 chance comes with a few conditioning question marks.

10. MAIN DEFENDER s/s 104 Used to rate much higher [s/s 115] when absolutely devastating at three. Unfortunately, has been nowhere near that level since a long layoff, showing a concerning tendency to hang. 25/1 ante post.

11. TIN PAN ALLEY s/s 109 + The sole 3 YO in the lineup. Easily accounted for See it Again in the Horse Chestnut in March then was arguably a tiny bit stiff when outrun by an excellent Star Major in the KZN Guineas over this C/D. Draw 11 complicates matters but is entitled to be bang there when it counts. A tempting proposition, each way, at close to 10/1.

12. FIRE ATTACK s/s 108 Comes in off a fighting victory in the Colorado King Stakes over 2000m. That distance range could be more his scene. Gate 12 is a problem over a mile at Greyville for this 25/1 longshot, though his only previous run here was an eye-catching staying on finish to Gladatorian, The Real Prince and See it Again in the Champions Cup over 1800m.

GRADES:

A = 1 5 B = 11 7 8 C = 2 9.