If the exciting Hack Green makes the sprint leg of the big bucks bonanza look more playable for banker purposes, the same does not apply to the very open looking BSA Million Mile.
Palladium – classy and looks set to bounce back
Charles Laird-trained Palladium ran stone last in the recent Gr1 Premiers Champion Stakes after looking like something very special.
The son of Silvano won his first two starts, including the Listed Gatecrasher Stakes with a nerve wracking late turn of foot.
He ran on steadily for fifth behind Zodiac Ruler in the Golden Horseshoe on July day, but then things went awry.
He was taken to lead in the Premiers Champion Stakes on sticky ground and ran out of puff, when 14,80 lengths behind Gunner. That was not his form.
A reversion to his earlier tactics could see him swing right back to winning ways here.
Corne Spies – saddles top-rated Lotus Elan
The top-rated galloper in the race is the Corne Spies-trained Lotus Elan.
The son of Black Minnaloushe strips fit after a really decent try when fifth and only 3,30 lengths behind Gunner in the Premiers Champion Stakes.
He ran handily there and was bumped in running – showing character to stay on for a decent try. He is nicely drawn and if adapting to the Scottsville turn, he should be competitive.
Mike De Kock’s Bold Rex won two of his first three starts, before a 5,15 length finish off Zodiac Ruler in the Golden Horseshoe.
His wide draw is a deterrent.
The same applies to Dean Kannemeyer’s recent runaway Scottsville maiden winner Gregorian Chant, who Anthony Delpech abandons to partner Legend.
The beautifully-bred Gregorian Chant is a pacy sort who may have the gate speed to overcome his draw.
It is interesting that Delpech jumps aboard a recent maiden winner who he has never ridden in a race.
Legend is a son of boom sire Gimmethegreenlight and took four tries to shed his maiden. He did win over Sunday’s course and distance and that could be a subtle tactical ploy of some forethought by the wily Mr Howells.
Gavin van Zyl – comes to party with a coupling
Gavin Van Zyl saddles a colt and filly and riding arrangements suggest the latter to be the pick.
Costa Da Sol showed steady form at her first three starts but the daughter of Mogok then went down 7,15 lengths in the Thekwini Stakes. She is not favourably drawn but could be worth considering with a bit of luck in running.
Last Outlaw was backed to win his second start at the Vaal when beating Persian Approval easily.
The son of Sail From Seattle is nicely drawn and has his first run in the holiday province.
Highway Eightyfive and Eden Garden Blitz are the Sugar Hill coupling.
The former has won his only start on turf – that over Sunday’s course and distance and seems a few lengths inferior on the poly.
Palladium is the pick – he could hold Lotus Elan and Bold Rex.
