From The Horse's Mouth - Mark Van Deventer

Race 1: Champagne Castle did something that is rare for a juvenile when attaining a sky-high speed score of 98. Her main danger is another filly, Querari Dancer who also showed good pace when beating her on debut. Both are trained by Justin Snaith who has an incredibly strong hand across the card.

Race 2: Note To Self s/s 96 shapes as if 2000m will be just right after good runs over 1600 and 1800m. Bel Canto Dream s/s 94 is an outsider of interest. Though unproven over the trip he has run competitive figures for this class and can get into the fray at long odds.

Race 3: Magic Verse s/s 106 and Holding Thumbs s/s 103 are tipped to fight it out. Use both in the opening Leg of the PA.

Race 4: The P6 starts with a minefield type sprint of 19 runners. A wide- spread will be needed to avoid pitching out at the first hurdle. Each way punters can consider Follow Your Heart s/s 96 who exceeds the winning par standard for this level and can do with a change of luck after being blocked last time.

Race 5: All the Rage s/s 105 ++ is a very smart, progressive sprinter. Carrying 54kg’s, he looks the solution to the Winchester Sprint Cup. He will face more pace pressure than ever before taking on experienced speedballs. Those who don’t trust him to be up to the task can use, Teflon Man s/s 107, The US of A s/s 107 and Surjay s/s 108 as back up’s. He might be in the grip of the handicapper, but now- blinkered Arctic Wizard s/s 105 goes especially well for Muzi Yeni and can be an exotic tote buster if the track suits quick horses come Saturday.

Race 6: Great Plains s/s 112 is a brilliant 1400m horse on his day but draw 14 means he will be giving plenty of start to talented rivals. O’Tenikwa s/s 114? will give a good sight as one of the pace pressers, likewise Tenango s/s 117? (a query over 1400m) and Raven Black s/s 104 can take advantage of inside gates. Dangerous light weight, Powerandtheglory s/s 99 and Gallic Dream s/s 105 are respected.

Race 7: Brilliant mare, Double Grand Slam s/s 111 drops back to 1600m, and she is the one to beat in the Majorca Stakes. James Crawford saddles super-exciting 3YO, Reet Petite s/s 105 and Mon Petit Cherie s/s 104 (Richard Fourie is on a revenge mission after finishing 2nd in the Garden Province behind Double Grand Slam). Single race exotic players can add Keukenhof s/s 101, Rainbow Lorikeet s/s 104 and perhaps even Asiye Phambili s/s 104 (not sure how she will fare over this mile) to their tickets.

Race 8: Proven G1 stars, The Real Prince s/s 115 vs See It Again s/s 114 are my top 2 for the 2026 Met. Sail the Seas s/s 108 + and Eight on Eighteen s/s 112 are next best with Garrix s/s 107 + a decent place wager on his fine Green Point Stakes dip.

Race 9: Happy Verse s/s 101 +, who should get the run of the race, comes out on top but only just over Randolph Hearst s/s 99, Fox on the Run s/s 100 and Better Man s/s 98. Touched by Angels falls short on the figs s/s 93 ++ but could improve substantially stretching out.

Race 10: A very tricky race. Lucinda Woodruff saddles two at double digit odds, Call Me Secret s/s 101 and Mai Sensation s/s 100 who are live outsiders. Tanneron s/s 98 + and Babelicious s/s 100 could get involved for Bass Racing. Princess of Gaul s/s 100 is also a chance. Cast a wide net in exotics.

Race 11: Give me Everything s/s 101 cracks this verdict after a bold bid in the Paddock Stakes, but not with a huge vote of confidence as she can mix her form. Swiatek s/s 99, Little Suzie s/s 100 and low weight, Queen Regent s/s 95 are alternatives.

Race 12; Yamazaki s/s 97, who has a strong finish and goes best over 1600m, could be the value play at around 10’s though leniently handicapped, Foudre s/s 96 is feared together with Smarten Up s/s 96, the victim of some tough recent trips. King’s Quest s/s 96 and Blind Date s/s 94 are wider inclusions in a tightly clustered field.

Suggested PA perm which runs from Race 3 – 9:

2 8 x 2 9 13 14 18 x 1 8 10 14 x 1 2 3 13 14 x 10 x 6 10 x 2 = R400.