Sun to shine brightly on Kingston Boy

After a reasonable start to his career, Kingston Boy asserted himself towards the end of last season and early this season, reeling off a hat-trick.

A trip to Turffontein at the end of November yielded a third place in a powerful Merchants line-up.

Assuming Kingston Boy is in fine condition after that sojourn, he is the pick of this field under Kevin Shea.

Midnight Run is a well performed sprinter from the Garth Puller yard, with convincing performances over the Clairwood 1200m. The Captain Al gelding likes to press the pace then rally gamely and the addition of blinkers helped clinch a recent MR 97 Handicap win over this course and distance.

Midnight Run has been beaten by Kingston Boy previously but is weighted to finish closer so should be respected.

Flyfirstclass has not fulfilled his early potential but might be improving again after being gelded. He would be an even greater threat if the ground comes up soft.

On their last close struggle, consistent distance-specialist Island Fiesta also merits consideration.

Piano Man and Mike’s Choice fought out the finish of a race in mid-January and they will also have supporters, while topweight Coffee Sheik has recorded all seven of his career wins over this distance and ran third in the Merchants in 2012. If revived after a 105-day rest, Sean Cormack’s mount can get into the mix.

Rio Carnival has been off track for 476 days. His best efforts have come over further so, despite his undoubted ability, the Charles Laird-trained runner may not be primed to win just yet.

Cotswold makes up the field. The six-year-old mare is speedy but she scrambled home to beat Rocket Lady in MR 82 class and her form should not scare these tougher opponents.