HERE are the stable’s runner comments for Champions Day at Turffontein, Saturday 29 April, by Mike de Kock or John Buckler where indicated.

Race 2: SA Fillies Nursery:
UMNAYATEE is doing pretty well, looks like one who will prefer further but likely to be thereabouts. (JB)

Race 3: SA Nursery:
SOFT FALLING RAIN is a nice horse and I think he is getting better and better. The extra 200m is probably in his favour. He’s had a super preparation but two-year-olds improve all the time and as a result it’s tough to work out the opposition. ISTQRAAR needs further and I think he will do better around the turn.

Race 4: Camellia Stakes:
WELWITSCHIA comes back to 1160m with the blinkers off. We’re expecting a nice run from her, she’ll be running at them. (JB)

Race 6: SA Derby:
SILVER FLYER is at his best. I’m comfortable with the distance as he is bred for it. He was not ready at all for the Gauteng Guineas, but right now he’s the fittest I’ve had him since the Cape Guineas in December. He is the stable elect. ICE TRIGGER ran a lot better than his rating last time. It was a useful run and if there is no pace and he is sitting in a handy position, he could give them a bit of a fright. He might just lack the quality, but he’s a good stayer.

Race 7: President’s Champions Challenge:
EUROPA POINT is an improving sort and just gets better and better. She’s versatile, I am happy with her preparation, she can switch off and has a good turn of foot. FLIRTATION is well, probably the best I’ve had her for some time. She is super fit. SAFWAN has had a good prep, but is he in this class? The race will tell. (See News Briefs for extended race preview).

Race 8: SA Oaks
ILHA BELA has had a great preparation and I’m quite confident about her. I could not have asked more from a horse. She is my best for the day.

Race 9: Gerald Rosenberg Stakes
BERRY BLAZE is perhaps best of my runners here, but she’s only about 80% right, I’m running her because the quality of the field is poor. CHECCETTI is doing very well, should give a good account. ATLANTIC OAK is pretty fresh and she’s done enough work to play a role here.  AMANEE tries further.

Race 10: Gold Bowl
Both our stayers are in very good shape. IL SANPIETRO has a chunk of weight to carry around the course. GORONGOSA is handily weighted and is probably slightly preferred, but I wouldn’t write off the top weight, he is very well. (JB)

Headline photo: Soft Falling Rain (blue silks), winning at Turffontein.