Hot Ticket (SAF) produced a brilliant weight-carrying performance to win the Gr 2 Nokia Gold Vase over 3000m at Greyville on Saturday, storming through from off the pace and then holding off a late charge from Wavin' Flag to notch up his fourth feature race  success of the season. Wild One (SAF) was close up in third ahead of stablemate Canterbury Tale.

As expected, it was local Oaks winner Dylan's Promise who went out to make the early running from from Seal, Eton Mess, Gothic, Wild One and Canterbury Tale with Wavin' Flag next best. Hot Ticket, as is usually the case, was held up off the pace, easily nine lengths off the leader.

The first major tactical move of the race came about 1000m out as Canterbury Tale moved through to take the lead. He brought them in for home and quickly shook off the attentions of Dylan's Promise and Gothic, while Seal battled on, trying to stay in touch and Wild One emerged as a major threat. Hot Ticket, meanwhile, was given his head by Karl Neisius and exploded through, but such was his acceleration  that he arguably got to the front a shade early. Wild One gave chase and it looked as if he had the momentum to overhaul the favourite but Hot Ticket kept finding. Wavin' Flag provided a final twist in the tale by flying up along the inside but Hot Ticket would not be denied and stuck out his neck stubbornly for a meritorious victory.

This was the best of Hot Ticket's victories to date, given that he had never been as severely tested at the weights previously. He was conceding between 4.5kg and 6.5kg to the next three home. Given the likelihood that they will all clash again in the Gold Cup at the end of this month, it will be interesting to see how the weights for that race are framed as Hot Ticket's victims will be looking for a further weight turnaround to reverse the the form there. He won't be an easy horse to beat, though, as he showed here that he has the resolve and attitude to go with his undoubted class.

Wavin' Flag has always been on the fringes in the staying features and produced a career-best effort here. He's enjoyed a reasonably successful visit to the province this winter, having also placed in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup.

Wild One has been thriving since stepping up in trip and is a serious Gold Cup contender while Canterbury Tale, having his second run after a lengthy layoff, also turned in a satisfactory Gold Cup trial and must be on the short-list for the country's premier staying event.

4 ch g Silvano (GER) - Hot Number by Sportsworld (USA)
Messrs D G Abery, Rick Achmat & F Dippenaar
Bred by Digteby Stud (Mr & Mrs H Stegeman)
Winning trainer: Dean Kannemeyer