HEAVENLY Blue, who finished third in the Gauteng Guineas, is second favourite at 2-1 for Saturday’s Gr1 SA Classic, with assistant trainer Mathew de Kock believing he can turn around the 1.50 lengths on Guineas form wth stable companion Janoobi over the 1800m.
Heavenly Blue, distance suited.
Orchid Island, third in the Fillies Guineas, has been priced up at 5-1 for the Gr1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic.
The betting for this race is dominated by Tarry-trained Smiling Blue Eyes, an even-money shot for the second leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.
She raced wide from a poor draw in the Fillies Guineas and still managed to win impressively with many experts still firmly believing she has the potential to become the third filly after Cherry On The Top and Igugu to win the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara.
The Triple Tiara comprises the Cape Fillies Guineas/Gauteng Fillies Guineas, the SA Fillies Classic and the SA Oaks next month, with a R1-million bonus to a horse who wins all three legs. The SA Classic is the second leg of the SA Triple Crown, which comprises the Cape Guineas/Gauteng Guineas, the SA Classic and the SA Derby with a R2-million bonus for wins in three legs.
SA Classic betting: 12-10 Al Sahem; 2-1 Heavenly Blue; 7-1 Janoobi; 10-1 Tilbury Fort; 12-1 Furiosa; 16-1 Alaadel; 20-1 Unagi, Kampala Campari; 33-1 Crowd Pleaser.
SA Fillies Classic betting: 1-1 Smiling Blue Eyes; 5-1 Orchid Island; 11-2 Safe Harbour; 7-1 Al Hawraa; 10-1 Captain Gambler; 16-1 Maleficent, Babbling Brooke, Bi Pot; 25-1 Belle Rose; 40-1 Being Fabulous, Oriental Oak; 50-1 My Friend Lee, Philae.
