Botes Filly Heads Up Gauteng Guineas Entries

A strong entry of 28 runners has been nominated to run in the R1 million TAB Gr2 Gauteng Guineas over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday, 01 February.

The race constitutes the first leg of the SA Triple Crown, the other two being the Gr1 SA Classic over 1800m on 1 March and the Gr1 SA Derby over 2450m on 29 March.

Quid Pro Quo (Piere Strydom) will run her last race on South African soil on 1 February (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)

Also run on the day is the R750,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas over the same course and distance, and that has received an entry of 18.

That race is the opening leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara for fillies, the other two being the Wilgerbosdrift Gr1 SA Fillies Classic over 1800m and the Wilgerbosdrift Gr2 SA Oaks over 2450m.

There is an overlap as some fillies have also been entered to take on the colts so they have double entries and topping the list is Gr2 Dingaans winning filly Quid Pro Quo.

The daughter of Lance will be having her last race in South Africa after having been purchased by Team Valor and will soon be jetting off for an international career. Right now, she is still in the care of trainer Barend Botes.

Interestingly, the Guineas might be their option as she drew No 6 in that race but No 14 in the fillies’ event.

Of the colts, Mike de Kock-trained Greaterix is among the entries as if Alec Laird’s charge Fire Attack and Sean Tarry-trained Cosmic Speed.

While the connections of Fire Attack will be delighted with his No 1 draw, there will be groans in the Greaterix and Cosmic Speed camps as they have drawn No 15 and No 25 respectively.

Kommetjie Storm, a full sister of Kommetdieding, has also been entered in both races and Tony Peter’s charge has landed No 14 in the Guineas but No 2 in the Fillies Guineas.

There is a supplementary entry stage on Friday, 24 January with declaration by 11h00 on Tuesday, 28 January.