S A DERBY (Grade 1) - ABASHIRI has TRIPLE CROWN in sight

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ABASHIRI, the three year old son of of GO DEPUTY will be looking to land the Triple Crown at Turffontein this afternoon. The Triple Crown was first contested in 1999 and was won by the legendary HORSE CHESTNUT who won the Argus Guineas, SA Classic and the SA Derby. He was trained by Mike De Kock and ridden in all three legs by Weichong Marwing. The feat was followed two years ago in 2014 when the Geoff Woodruff trained LOUIS THE KING won all three, the first leg of which was the Gauteng Guineas. Robbie Fradd was the jockey. At around 16h30 we'll know if ABASHIRI will be the third winner. He has an impressive record of  five wins from seven starts. The way in which he has won over shorter suggests that he should see out the extra. This Mike Azzie trained ABASHIRI has yet to lose a race when ridden by Karl Zechner (4 from 4).

The Mike De Kock yard is quietly confident about their chances with JUBILEE LINE. His form coming into this race is nowhere equal to that of ABASHIRI with only one win from seven starts. One cannot leave Mike De Kock and his charges out of any equation on big race days. Anton Marcus has the ride which would enhance his chances.

Stable companion, KINAAN, has slightly better form but this is a huge jump in class. To his advantage is that he has run second over this C & D and this will no doubt be a huge advantage in a race such as this. Former stable jockey, Anthony Delpech has the ride. He has won on him before.

SAMURAI BLADE has to turn a 4½ length deficit against ABASHIRI in the SA Classic last time. They meet at level weights. He has something to find but the Sean Tarry yard and jockey S'Manga Khumalo are in excellent form.

Stable companion, MILLA’S WORLD, is improving, but this will be his toughest test to date. Top Cape Town jockey, Bernard Fayd'Herbe, no stranger to Grade 1 wins, will add to his money chances. He should be finding more late.