Snaith, of course, has a stable in Port Elizabeth and although both of his runners – Highly Decorated and Diva’s Daughter – started their careers in the Western Cape, they have run on the turf track at Fairview.
Ramsden once trained in Port Elizabeth so he knows what type of horse is needed to win at the course, and he has brought Miss Saigon from Cape Town to contest this R150,000 event.
It is difficult to compare runners from different centres but based on their performances against Cold As Ice at Kenilworth, Highly Decorated could be the horse to beat.
Cold As Ice, trained by Ramsden, is the best sprinting three-year-old filly in Cape Town and both Highly Decorated and Miss Saigon have raced against her in plate races and the Snaith runner, who gave Cold As Ice 4kg, finished five lengths back while Miss Saigon, who conceded 3.5kg, was beaten 6.5 lengths.
With the pair meeting at level weights should give Highly Decorated the edge over Ramsden’s charge. Richard Fourie takes the ride on the four-year-old daughter of Captain Al.
Miss Saigon, who is the mount of Muzi Yeni, is taken to follow her home.
However, both can expect a mighty challenge from local hope Yoshie.
The Alan Greeff-trained filly has hardly put a foot wrong and is an 11-time winner from 21 starts. She is probably better over 1000m but has won two of four starts over the course and distance.
Having won her last two starts she is running at the top of her game right now and has to be respected, especially with Greg Cheyne in the irons.
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