IGUGU makes her first appearance this season in the Gr 2 Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m on the standside course at Turffontein. The now four-year-old star hasn’t raced since her riveting win in the Durban July, but she is expected to make a bold bid despite being short of peak fitness.

Igugu in her Randjesfontein stable.

Mike de Kock commented: “Igugu is well and we’re very happy with her preparation. Her first mission is the Paddock Stakes, leading to the 2012 J&B Met. I think we’ve done enough with her for now, but she’ll make huge improvement with this race under her belt.”

Blueroute is one of two fillies to take on the colts in the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m and Mike said: “It won’t be easy for her at the weights against her male rivals, but she’s a very nice filly and there was a lot to like about her second to Katy’s Lane in the Starling Stakes recently. We expect her to be competitive.”