IF all the runners accept to run in Saturday’s R1-million L Jaffee Empress Club Stakes (Grade 1) for fillies and mares over 1600m at Turffontein it should be a cracking affair.

Majmu.

Final declarations for the race take place on Monday morning.

If Majmu does not run there is little doubt Same Jurisdiction, who was touched off by Siren’s Call in the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m on 28 March, will start favourite. Duncan Howell’s charge will be better suited to this 1600m, although according to Piere Strydom who rode Siren’s Call, it was only the soft going that cost Same Jurisdiction the Fillies Guineas.

As the pair are both three-year-olds they will carry 57.5kg with Majmu drawn No 10 and Same Jurisdiction at No 6.

The other three-year-olds entered are Banbury from the Gavin van Zyl yard, Smart Call (Alec Laird) and two runners from the Sean Tarry yard – Fillies Guineas runner-up Trophy Wife and Tamaanee.

Of the older horses, Hammie’s Hooker looks set to have her first start on the Highveld, and based on her style of running, the long Turffontein run-in will suit her.

Arcetri Pink will be having her first start for the Kom Naidoo yard and if the going stays soft, as it has been for the last three meetings, this Australian-bred filly must be a massive contender. She won last year’s Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Guineas over this course and distance in heavy going.

Whatalady was an impressive winner of the Grade 3 Acacia Handicap over this course and distance on Guineas Day. The Stanley Ferreira-trained filly is unbeaten over 1600m at this course.

Also run on Saturday is the Listed Spook Express Handicap, also for fillies and mares, over 2450m. The Centenary, also trained by De Kock, looks to be a useful stayer following her victory in an FM 78 Handicap over 2600m on the Turffontein inside track last month. She could end up racing 3kg under sufferance but will have only 52kg on her back and could be a decent talent and is worth following. Eva Tibbs also showed some staying power last time and could meet Centenary on 3kg better terms.

The day will also commemorate the 24 people who died in the Hennenman air disaster in 1988.

Nominations for the Grade 1 L Jaffee Empress Club Stakes (F&M) R1-million over 1600m at Turffontein on Saturday.
2    ARCETRI PINK    (K Naidoo)    60.0
8    ENCHANTED SILK    (S G Tarry)    60.0
3    ERIN    (O A Ferraris)    60.0
15    FIRE WHEEL    (S G Tarry)    60.0
12    HAMMIE’S HOOKER    (M W Bass)    60.0
4    NEGEV    (L W Goosen)    60.0
7    NOT SULKING    (G V Woodruff)    60.0
14    WHATALADY    (S M Ferreira)    60.0
13    WINTER STAR    (J A Janse van Vuuren)    60.0
1    BANBURY    (G H Van Zyl)    57.5
10    MAJMU    (M F De Kock)    57.5
6    SAME JURISDICTION    (D C Howells)    57.5
5    SMART CALL    (A G Laird)    57.5
9    TAMAANEE    (S G Tarry)    57.5
11    TROPHY WIFE    (S G Tarry)    57.5

Nominations for the Listed Spook Express Handicap (F&M) over 2450m at Turffontein on Saturday
10    VINO VERITAS    (G H Van Zyl)    62.0
4    ERIN    (O A Ferraris)    60.0
3    RODEO SIOUX    (J A Soma)    58.0
6    WILD ASH    (G V Woodruff)    57.5
5    TOUCH THE SKY    (G V Woodruff)    57.0
9    MISS RAMBO    (G V Woodruff)    52.5
12    EVA TIBBS    (S G Tarry)    51.0
8    KISSIMMEE    (M G Azzie)    51.0
7    MISS K    (L W Goosen)    50.5
11    LUALA    (S Moffatt)    50.0
1    PEEP SHOW    (M G Azzie)    49.5
2    THE CENTENARY    (M F De Kock)    49.0