HERE are Computaform’s pen pictures for the runners in Saturday’s SA Derby over 2450m on Champions Day at Turffontein, compiled by the form students at Computaform. The Gr1 race carries a R2-million stake.

Ilitshe (Anthony Delpech, photo below) is arguably the Mike de Kock runner with the best chance of upstaging Triple Crown-seeking favourite, Louis The King. With Delpech on duty in Hong Kong, Ilitshe will be ridden by Anton Marcus and has been priced up at 7-1  by Betting World.

Here are the 14 runners:

1 – LOUIS THE KING

This Geoff Woodruff-trained runner is a high-class sort and has won five of his six career starts. Looks on track to win the R2-million SASCOC SA Triple Crown bonus, providing he stays this 2450m distance which will stretch the stamina in his pedigree to its limits. He is a laid-back type though and jockey Robbie Fradd is adamant he has what it takes to win.

Record: 6 runs; 5 wins; 1 place. Stakes R2,092,500.

2 – AS YOU LIKE

One of three runners from the Alec Laird yard, he was beaten into third behind LOUIS THE KING in both the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic, in which he set the pace. He looks set to run another game race if he stays in his first run beyond 1800m. And being by Tiger Ridge out of an Al Mufti mare, there is no reason to suppose he won’t get the distance.

Record: 7 runs; 3 wins; 3 places. Stakes R476,250.

3 – BOUCLETTE TOP (Arg)

Another Laird-trained runner, this Giant’s Causeway colt should be running on when others have cried enough and could improve on his fourth placings behind LOUIS THE KING in the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic. Will be partnered by S’manga Khumalo, who has a midas touch in major races, and he should not be far away at the finish.

Record: 8 runs; 3 wins; 4 places. Stakes R464,250.

4 – TAARISH (Aus)

One of three runners from the Mike de Kock stable, he has scored all three of his wins in weaker class and was well beaten by LOUIS THE KING in both the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic. By Encosta Da Lago and should enjoy this testing distance, but needs to make a lot of improvement if he is to make an impact in this field.

Record: 11 runs; 3 wins; 4 places. Stakes R168,050.

5 – GONE BABY GONE

Another De Kock-trained runner, he has run at this level twice and failed both times, fading from the lead to eighth in the 1600m Premier’s Champion Stakes last season and not shaping in the 1400m Graham Beck Stakes. Best efforts this season have come from 1800m to 2000m though and he should enjoy this longer trip, although stablemate ILITSHE makes more appeal.

Record: 9 runs; 3 wins; 3 places. Stakes R172,775.

6 – MERCADO

One of three runners from the Sean Tarry yard, he has lost form recently. Has finished unplaced in his last three starts and looks well held by LOUIS THE KING and several others on Gauteng Guineas and SA Classic form. By Toreador, whose progeny are usually best over shorter distances, and jockey Piere Strydom may have his work cut out to get this one to shape.

Record: 11 runs; 2 wins; 4 places. Stakes R167,450.

7 – EARL OF DERBY

The third Laird-trained runner. He won the Egoli 1600 in his penultimate start and is better than his run in the Derby Trial, in which he was hampered at a crucial stage and faded to 12th behind ILITSHE. Even ignoring that run, he has not gone further than 1600m before, and being by National Assembly, there must be doubts whether he stay this distance.

Record: 8 runs; 2 wins; 4 places. Stakes R176,4258 – ATOMIC RUSH

Trainer Stuart Pettigrew’s charge is the least experienced horse in the field, having run only four times for two wins. As such he has scope for improvement on his seventh, 4.25 lengths behind ILITSHE in the Derby Trial over 2000m at this track, where he started from a wide draw and was hampered. Tougher now but should enjoy the distance and comes into the picture.

Record: 4 runs; 2 wins; 1 place. Stakes R110,625.

9 – FORT BELLINI

Tarry’s runner displayed respiratory problems in the Gauteng Guineas and the SA Classic and finished sixth in both. Won two of his previous three races in Maiden and Novice class, including beating EARL OF DERBY into fifth over 1450m. Well drawn and bred to enjoy this 2450m but makes little appeal on his last two performances.

Record: 5 wins; 2 wins; 1 place. Stakes R113,100.

10 – ILITSHE (Aus)

Arguably the best of De Kock’s three runners, he has reeled off three wins in a row recently, culminating in a narrow victory in the 2000m Derby Trial in which he had LEEULOOP JET (third), FLIGHT WARNING, JUDICIAL, TAKUSHI, ATOMIC RUSH (seventh), EARL OF DERBY and SUPERTUBE behind him. Well-drawn front runner and warrants respect.

Record: 5 runs; 3 wins; 1 place. Stakes R201,250.

11 – SUPERTUBE (Aus)

Another Tarry runner, he faded to ninth, 6.50 lengths behind LOUIS THE KING in the SA Classic, and went on to run 14 lengths behind ILITSHE in the Derby Trial, in which he made a respiratory noise and was cut into. Should stay well and has a good draw, but will need to improve if he is to make an impact in this field. Others make much more appeal.

Record: 8 runs; 2 wins; 2 places. Stakes R190,425.

12 – JUDICIAL

Miesque’s Approval gelding from the Tyrone Zackey yard, he finished third in the Ready-To-Run Cup last year but has not done as well since. Did run on well for fifth behind ILITSHE in the Derby Trial and is now 2.5kg better off with the winner. Respect on that effort, but went on to run poorly in a 2000m race at the Vaal 10 days later. No appeal on last effort.

Record: 9 runs; 1 win; 4 places. Stakes R480,750.

13 – FLIGHT WARNING

Trainer Gary Alexander’s charge ran a better race when equipped with blinkers for the first time, finishing well for fourth, 1.50 lengths behind ILITSHE in the Derby Trial this month. Started slowly yet again that day, but if jockey Keagan Latham can get him to jump on terms he should finish closer to ILITSHE on 0.5kg better terms. Could place.

Record: 8 runs; 1 win; 4 places. Stakes R196,375.

14 – LEEULOOP JET

The Stephen Moffatt-trained colt was beaten a short head and the same margin into third behind ILITSHE and Everest (a winner subsequently) in the Derby Trial, in which he finished well and made up nearly seven lengths in the straight despite shifting 250m from the line. Should stay the trip but meets ILITSHE on 2.5kg worse terms.

Record: 11 runs; 1 win; 6 places. Stakes R131,000

15 – TAKUSHI (Reserve)

The Ryan Hutcheson-trained runner has been battling in lower class but was not well drawn when staying on for a 3.50-length sixth behind ILITSHE in the Derby Trial. Drawn wide again and should not turn the tables on ILITSHE on 2.5kg worse terms. Makes little appeal and this reserve runner should struggle if he does get into the race.

Record: 9 runs; 1 win; 2 places. Stakes R70,475.

Current betting maket:

10 LOUIS THE KING; 11-2 BOUCLETTE TOP; 7-1 AS YOU LIKE, ILITSHE; 14-1 GONE BABY GONE; 16-1 ATOMIC RUSH, FORT BELLINI; 33-1 AND UPWARDS OTHERS.