Kuda Matchem Stakes

Durbanville Racecourse is the place to be for sports fans on Saturday, not only due to the racing, but also due to the alternative on course entertainment, which will include a Rugby World Cup beer garden and the Springboks vs Scotland on multiple screens.

Last season’s Western Cape Three-year-old Champion, Act Of War, begins his four-year-old campaign carrying topweight in the Matchem Stakes over 1400m with Anton Marcus aboard and it will likely be seen as the first stepping stone for the big horse towards the prestigious L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate (Grade 1) in January. He will be hard to beat despite a tricky draw of eight as he is merit rated 20 points higher than any other horse in the race and only has to give them between 2kg and 3kg.

Heartland has showed a lot of promise and would have strengthened and matured since his disappointing run in the KRA (Grade 2) Guineas at Greyville in May, so is interesting from pole position over the 1400m trip of two of his three wins. His stablemates Alpha Pegasi and Arniston have both had recent wins over 1400m and are officially rated roundabout his equal, so could earn a cheque.

Another stablemate, Charles Lytton, has provided a fairy-tale story, being the son of a teaser stallion, and of his five wins four of them have been over 1400m, so he is also in with a shout. The other Snaith contender, Master’s Eye, should be coming into his own now, being by Jet Master, and although he would prefer further he did win his maiden over 1400m at this time last year.

Kuda are looking forward to spending time with and entertaining their clients and are anticipating everybody on course enjoying a day to remember.

Gates open at 11h00.