G1 – 1600m – Turf
| 1 | Dave The King | Proven G1 heavyweight comes into this off a fighting course-and-distance success in the G2 Green Point Stakes (1600m), holding off a string of this race’s opponents. Will be right in the thick of it. |
| 2 | Jan Van Goyen | Three-year-old colt has made a sublime start to his career highlighted by his commanding last-start victory in the G1 Cape Guineas (1600m) at Kenilworth. Is a born winner and looks tough to beat here. |
| 3 | Sugar Mountain | Was only around a length and a quarter off Dave The King last start and did produce some nice performances in 2025, however G1 level has traditionally proven too strong for the seven-year-old. |
| 4 | Questioning | Saluted at G3 level at Durbanville two starts back and then ran seventh behind Dave The King, beaten only two and a quarter lengths, when stepping up to a 1600m G2 at Kenilworth last start. |
| 5 | Sail The Seas | Also comes out of that Dave The King race on 13 December, finishing fourth, and looks to have the tools to be competitive here after a consistent 2025 that featured two wins and two seconds from six starts. |
| 6 | The Real Prince | Announced himself as a genuine force with victory in the G1 Durban July (2200m) and also boasts a course-and-distance success among his five victories from 12 career starts. Tuned up with an eighth behind Dave The King and can figure. |
| 7 | Eight On Eighteen | Scooped South African Horse of the Year honours on the back of an outstanding three-year-old campaign that featured three G1 victories. Hasn’t raced since agonising G1 Durban July (2200m) second but has the class to prevail. |
| 8 | Garrix | Made progress through 2025, posting two G3 victories to improve his record to four wins from 11 starts, and his neck second behind Dave The King last start suggests he can make an impact here. |
| 9 | Gladatorian | Was a G1 winner at Greyville three starts back, snaring July’s HKJC Champions Cup (1800m), and he saluted at the track again in November. Was a close 11th behind Dave The King when switching to Kenilworth and should not be discounted. |
| 10 | See It Again | Third behind Dave The King in the key lead-up contest on 13 December but has gone over a year without tasting success. Will be in the market but likely needs to find something extra to prevail. |
| 11 | Legal Counsel | Has made a strong start to his career with five wins from 11 starts and looks a progressive type, however may be some distance off truly competing at this level. |
| 12 | Jet Force | Lightly raced four-year-old has shown a propensity for winning, delivering in three of six career starts, and now makes the big step up to G1 company. Might not quite be ready for this class. |
| 13 | Fire Attack | Tasted G1 success in the HKJC World Pool Premier’s Champions Challenge (2000m) during a consistent 2025 that also featured four seconds. Steps up significantly in trip after finishing last over 1000m in December. |
| 14 | Cosmic Speed | Another proven G1 performer, the four-year-old took out March’s Horse Chestnut Stakes (1600m) and had a look around Kenilworth when solid behind Dave The King last start. One to consider. |
