G1 – 2000m – Turf
| 1 | Legal Eagle | He is rated the best horse in the country and is handicapped to win this race. Unfortunately there is a question mark as to whether 2000m is his best distance and he has a wide draw. Despite that he is the standout runner on ratings and has Anton Marcus up. |
| 2 | Captain America | This seven-year-old finished third in this race last year and in 2016. He is well drawn in gate three and comes from a top stable. Has yet to win over further than 1600m but he is an honest performer who always gives his all. |
| 3 | Marinaresco | Winner of last year’s G1 Durban July this five-year-old has a top trainer in Candice Bass-Robinson. He ran on strongly in the G1 Queen’s Plate over 1600m last time. Wide draw but likes to come from behind. |
| 4 | Sail South | From the same stable as Captain America, this seven-year-old has got better with age. He tries 2000m for the first time but did win the G1 Champions Cup over 1800m at Greyville. Drawn wide but will be running on. |
| 5 | Silicone Valley | He has excellent form over sprint distances and won the G2 Cape Merchants over 1200m but he looks unlikely to stay 2000m on his exposed form. |
| 6 | Krambambuli | This six-year-old is rarely far off the winner but battles to get his nose in front at the line. His best form is over further but he finished fast in the G2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m last time. Place chance. |
| 7 | Nebula | The Hong Kong-owned five-year-old’s last win was in the Listed Algoa Cup (2000m) at Fairview and the form does not appear strong. He is not well treated under the weight-for-age race conditions. |
| 8 | Elusive Silva | Trainer Justin Snaith considered him a contender for last year’s Durban July but had to withdraw him after he was injured at the gallops. Has only run once since last June and did not impress. |
| 9 | Coral Fever | This gelding finished third in the G1 Summer Cup (2000m) behind Liege but has a lot more to do in this event. Looks held by Cascapedia on the G3 London News Stakes (1800m) run but he has Muzi Yeni up, who is an excellent judge of pace. |
| 10 | Gold Standard | He was strongly fancied to win this race last year but could only manage fourth. Worse off at the weights with Legal Eagle and Captain America but looks to have improved since. Good warm-up in the G1 Queen’s Plate (1600m). |
| 11 | Copper Force | Highly regarded by Justin Snaith stable and was the fastest finisher behind Legal Eagle in the Queen’s Plate. Tested over this distance once but unplaced. Could be better than rated. |
| 12 | Last Winter | He is lightly raced and has won four of his five starts and was just touched off in the G2 Premier Trophy over 1800m. Highly rated by trainer Dean Kannemeyer but drew the outside and will need all the skill of Piere Strydom to win. |
| 13 | Heavenly Blue | Mike de Kock’s charge won the G1 SA Classic (1800m) last year but then had surgery for knee chips. Had a moderate comeback run behind Ideal Secret on 7 January but will improve for the run. Drawn well. |
| 14 | African Night Sky | He is the first horse since Pocket Power to win the Winter Series at Kenilworth he could spring a surprise. The last three Met winners were all drawn eight and he jumps from that barrier this time. Has a top jockey in Bernard Fayd’Herbe. |
| 15 | Horizon | He ran an excellent race in the Durban July when coming from last to finish a 0.65L sixth behind Marinaresco. Held on what he has shown and has not been too impressive in his last two starts. |
| 16 | Nother Russia | A gutsy mare who has won seven of her 13 starts and has not finished out of the top four. Drawn wide but has a jockey who knows her well in Craig Zackey. Finished behind Oh Susanna on their last run but will prefer this distance. |
| 17 | Nightingale | She ran a courageous fourth in the Durban July but is 6lb worse off with winner Marinaresco. Ran poorly behind Oh Susanna last time but does have a good draw and an in-form jockey in MJ Byleveld. |
| 18 | Safe Harbour | Sean Tarry’s charge is coming to form and has been crying out for this sort of distance. Finished behind Oh Susanna at their last run over 1800m but was finishing faster and should go closer this time. |
| 19 | Cascapedia | This filly has won five of her six starts. She is unbeaten since fitted with blinkers and won with authority last time when defeating former SA Triple Crown winner Abashiri in the G3 London News Stakes (1800m). Champion jockey Anthony Delpech rides and she’s well-drawn. |
| 20 | Oh Susanna | She is the only three-year-old in the field and although she has only 113lb to carry she is still worse off with Legal Eagle on ratings. Jockey Grant van Niekerk is riding well, this filly is well drawn and must be respected. |
