Final feature race fields for Champions Day

Trainer Sean Tarry has opted to follow the same route with Cloth Of Cloud as he did with Carry On Alice in 2014 and take on the colts in the Grade 1 SA Nursery over 1 160m at Turffontein on Saturday, April 30.

The SA Nursery is one of four Grade 1 races in Champions Day, the others being the R4-million Premier’s Champions Challenge over 2 000m, the R2-million SA Derby over 2 450m and the R1-million World Sports Betting Computaform Sprint over 1 000m.

Also run on the day are five Grade 2 races: the R1-million Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks over 2 450m, the R500 000 Gold Bowl of 3 200m, the R400 000 Camellia Stakes over 1 160m, the R400 000 Gerald Rosenberg Stakes over 2 000m and the R400 000 SA Fillies Nursery over 1 160m.

Cloth Of Cloud, a half-sister to Silver Mountain and Helderberg Blue, has won both her starts in style, including the Grade 3 Pretty Polly Stakes. On that occasion she completed the 1 100m in 0.66sec faster than Janoobi, who won the Protea Stakes on the same day. As a filly Cloth Of Cloud gets a 2.5kg sex allowance which could give her a further advantage.

The SA Oaks contains a full field of 14 runners as well as three reserve runners and looks to be one of the most competitive races on the card.

Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic winner Juxtapose is in the line-up as well as Peggy Jay, winner of the Grade 3 Jacaranda Handicap, Zafira, Princess Varunya, Persian Rug and Witchcraft, making this a fascinating race.

Of course, many pundits are expected to be at Turffontein to see whether Abashiri will be able to become the third winner of the SA Triple Crown when he contests the SA Derby.

Dress in black and orange to show your support for Abashiri, who runs in these colours.

Gates open at 11:00 and racing will start at 12:00. Entrance is free. For more information or bookings for Champions Day please call 011 681 1702 or at www.itsarush.co.za.

Information supplied by Phumelela Racing.