Is change such a bad thing? Last year the R400 000 Gr2 Drill Hall Stakes lost its weight-for-age lily white purity in favour of a plus- conditions format. This year the race is run under the lights. Some call it progress. Whatever your opinion, the contest remains one of the undoubted entertainment highlights of the SA Champions Season.
Some of the past results of the Drill Hall Stakes have thrown up interesting pointers.
If Karl Zechner thought Saturday’s SA Derby was a tactical emotional rollercoaster, this 1400m extended sprint is a bigger test.
History shows that it can be won from the back to the front and that the barrier gate position is not as big an albatross as it may appear at first glance.
Usually the pace will be strong, and the race true run – and that assists the analysis, to some degree.
The bottom line is that it takes a class horse and that fact is underlined by the impressive honour roll of past winners.
Legislate – top class and runs fresh
Topweight and a major drawcard on Friday will be the former Vodacom Durban July winner Legislate who opens his 2016 South African Champions Season campaign.
His connections will be hoping to erase the memories of the 2015 race where he was withdrawn at the start as a well fancied favourite after kicking the gate in a forgettable incident.
Destined for stud duties at Drakenstein later in the year, Justin Snaith’s power galloper will use this race as a launch platform for a shot at either the Rising Sun Gold Challenge or the Champions Cup.
Legislate has only run twice since finishing third to stable companion Futura in the Gr1 Champions Cup at Greyville last season. He stayed on for second behind Saturday’s Premier’s Champions Challenge hero Legal Eagle in the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate in January and then disappointed when sixth behind Smart Call in the J&B Met three weeks later.
He comes out fresh off a 13 week break and has an undeniable winning chance in the hands of the in-form Anthony Delpech.
New Predator – tough for the good 3yo
Promising 3yo New Predator gets only 4kgs from Legislate, which may not be enough.
The Australian bred son of New Approach ran a 3,80 length third behind Legal Eagle in the HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes after leading at the 400m.
If he takes to Greyville, he must be a runner as an improving sort with decent toe.
Last year’s winner Ice Machine
Charles Laird’s gallant 7yo Ice Machine was a runaway winner of this event last year and has some good form at his recent starts.
The son of Silvano finished third in a blanket finish behind Captain Aldo in the Hawaii Stakes at Turffontein but was slow when downfield in the Horse Chestnut Stakes last time.
He is very effective over the course and distance and warrants serious consideration.
Anton Marcus and Joey Ramsden team up with the Australian bred The Conglomerate – who won the KRA Guineas at the corresponding meeting a year ago.
Other than a third placing in the Daily News, he has done little since but the mere fact that he is a July entry and is being persevered with – and has not landed up in PE – suggests that he may have something to come yet.
Triptique takes a step up in trip
The Gr2 Cape Merchants winner Triptique takes a step up in trip after being outpaced behind the flying Muscatt over 1000m at Scottsville at his last start.
The son of Trippi can gallop on his day and could be in the mix.
Sean Tarry’s 8yo gelding Gold Onyx is back for more and certainly loves this track.
The son of Black Minnaloushe has not run for 13 weeks since going down 7,60 lengths to Smart Call in the J&B Met. He may find they go too quick for him but has the brimming with confidence Zechner in the irons.
Mike Bass’s Night Trip had to go to Fairview for his last win and the son of Trippi looks to be back for his Darley Arabian hat-trick bid. That race is run on the polytrack and while he managed a 5,50 length fifth in the 2015 Drill Hall, he will be hard-pressed to find a top three cheque.
Last year’s Vodacom Durban July runner-up Punta Arenas who races out of the Dennis Drier stable who has been entered for another crack at the big race later in the season and should find this on the short side.
Diamond King – has not gone on with the early promise
The Tony Rivalland trained Diamond King looked very promising early on but has not quite gone on to the better things we expected.
He won well beating the old legend Uncle Tommy on the polytrack last time and is effective at Greyville when in the mood.
Saratoga Dancer ran on well for third behind It Is Written in the Gr3 Christmas Handicap at his last start. He may need this after an 18 week break from action and may lack the genuine class to win it.
Weichong Marwing trained Mister Matchett ran a shocker behind Talkktothestars in the Senor Santa at his last start and having not won in a year looks outgunned and outclassed.
Legislate and Ice Machine look the obvious class in the race with Gauteng visitor, the youngster New Predator, catching the eye if things go his way.
Beyond those three, the field lacks a standout and we’d suggest that they will combine in the trifecta.
