Saturday's meeting at Turffontein's inside track offered a chance for contenders for the upcoming Gauteng classics to put their hands up and it was the pair of Pomodoro and Go Indigo who came out on top in their respective events, both Gr 3 affairs over 1450m.

Pomodoro had to carry top weight in the Tony Ruffel Stakes but he imposed himself on some smart-looking opposition and looks set to be a big runner in the upcoming Gauteng Guineas. The son of Jet Master settled nicely on the fence in fifth place as Tony's Tipple went out to make the running from Royal Ridge, Tandragee and Americano. Sidestep was next best ahead of Governor General while the fancied Brooks-Club sat towards the rear with Heavy Metal and Eurosilver.

Royal Ridge made his move soon after entering the straight and briefly took the lead but Tandragee was all over him and soon forged ahead. Pomodoro still had about three lengths to make up and didn't respond immediately to jockey Chad Little's urgings. Indeed, Tandragee looked well set entering the last furlong but Pomodoro was starting to warm to his task and once he found his stride, he powered on by to win comfortably. Governor General caught the eye as he made late progress to snatch second from Tandragee while Heavy Metal ran on for fourth without really looking like he might trouble the trio in front of him.

Pomodoro had won his previous start over 1800m so it was no surprise to see him take a while to get going here. He's done little wrong with four wins and two places from six starts - one of those places being a decent fourth in the Dingaans after making the early running - and trainer Sean Tarry would appear to have plenty to look forward to with him. As for Little, he will be over the moon, having picked up a chance ride in the absence of Weichong Marwing and he handled his mount with some aplomb.

Go Indigo's credentials going into the Three Troikas Stakes were not quite as impressive, as Leon Erasmus' charge had only won once previously and had missed the placings in half of her ten career starts. However, she's come to hand and been holding form well of late and she won convincingly enough here.

Well handled by Sherman Brown, Go Indigo sat towards the tail end of the field with only favourite Extra Zero behind her as Rosehip shot out of the pens and went some eight lengths clear of the field. Larussa disputed second with Shadows In The Sun with Amazing Grace and Awesome Beauty next best.

Rosehip had run her race 400m out and gave way to Amazing Grace but the race was to belong to those runners who had sat off the pace. Go Indigo made up ground readily enough when asked and got first run on Extra Zero. She forged into the lead entering the last furlong, having shaken off Shadows In The Sun, and although Extra Zero tried to close the gap she fell short by 1.50 lengths. Awesome Beauty made some late progress to relegate Shadows In The Sun to fourth.

There was a third feature on the card in the form of the listed Wolf Power 1600 and SA Derby winner Seal (pictured) displayed his class - and extraordinary versatility - with a fine weight-carrying performance. Lugging 62.5kg and conceding weight all round, he travelled comfortably on the fence just off the early pace which was set by The Mouseketeer ahead of The White Horse and Masai Warrior.

Masai Warrior set sail halfway down the straight but was soon tackled by Seal as Selborne Supremacy and Captain Scott briefly looked as if they might challenge. Despite conceding 5.5kg to Masai Warrior, Seal gradually got on top of him and pulled away to win by nearly a length. Galanthus decided to raise a gallop on this occasion and flew up late on the inside to snatch second from Masai Warrior while Empenoso Henn also caught the eye with a strong late run under a big weight.