IT comes as no surprise that Gimmethegreenlight has been priced up favourite for the R2-million SA Classic to be run over 1800m at Turffontein on Saturday.
In fact, if the bookmakers are right, the race is a two-horse affair between Justin Snaith’s charge and Slumdogmillionaire. Gimmethegreenlight is on offer at 16-10 while Gavin van Zyl’s runner is at 33-10. They have the balance of the field at 10-1 or better, which means there could be some good place bets on offer.
Ilha Bela, a 9-2 chance in Fillies Classic.
The Grade 1 race on the standside track is the second leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown and the only runner in line to collect the R2-million bonus, Betting World Gauteng Guineas winner Golden Chateau, is on offer at 14-1.
He is trained by Mike de Kock but the shortest-price runner from the stable is Royal Ridge, who is at 10-1, along with Sean Tarry’s Pomodoro.
Zimbabwean runner Control Freak has been priced up as the 2-1 favourite for the R1-million SA Fillies Classic. She finished fourth in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas, beaten 1.25 lengths by Go Indigo. That was her first start on the Highveld and in all likelihood would have come on since then. She is nicely drawn at No 4 and will be ridden by Klawervlei Stud Jockey Title leader Gavin Lerena.
Ilha Bela finished in front of Control Freak in the Guineas and will probably be better suited to this distance. However, she was drawn at No 1 in the Guineas while she will have to jump from barrier No 11 in the Classic.
Ilha Bela will be ridden by Anton Marcus and is on offer at 9-2.
There is a question as to whether Go Indigo will see out the Turffontein 1800m but, if she does, then Leon Erasmus’ filly looks excellent value at 11-1.
Felix The Cat, who would have been among the fancied runners, has been withdrawn from the Classic.
BETTING
SA CLASSIC
16-10 GIMMETHEGREENLIGHT
33-10 SLUMDOGMILLIONAIRE
10-1 POMODORO, ROYAL RIDGE
12-1 POTALA PALACE, WHITELINE FEVER
14-1 BROOKS-CLUB, GOLDEN CHATEAU, HEAVY METAL
16-1 SILVER FLYER
25-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS
SA FILLIES CLASSIC
2-1 CONTROL FREAK
9-2 ILHA BELA
7-1 KATY`S LANE, WINGED FOOT
9-1 BAMBINA STRIPES
11-1 AMANEE, GO INDIGO
14-1 BLUROUTE
20-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS
(Betting supplied by Betting World www.bettingworld.co.za)
