DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1) - Beware the NEW PREDATOR on the block

1-2-3-4-11

Highveld trainer, Johan Janse Van Rensburg, has a strong hand in this race as well. NEW PREDATOR, son of NEW APPROACH, was well supported in the Drill Hall Stakes at this track when making his KZN debut last time. He won well over the 1400m distance last time. His sire won from 1400m to 2400m. He has only been as far as 1600m. He should get the extra distance without any trouble. The way in which he handled his first run at this track last time suggests that he will enjoy the extra distance. After all, he is bred to get this far. Expect to see him running on. He is well enough drawn to be a huge runner and is currently priced up at 4/1 and is joint second favourite to RABADA, who looks to be his main threat along with SAMURAI BLADE.

SAMURAI BLADE ran an excellent race when flying late in the Derby over 2450m at Turffontein. He finished less than a length behind the Triple Crown winner, ABASHIRI. Trained by Sean Tarry and to be ridden by S'Manga Khumalo, expect to see the son of WHERE'S THAT TIGER running on at the end, something he does particularly well. He may be only a one time winner, but he has shown enough to suggest that he will be running another very good race.

Michael Azzie, fresh from his great triumph with ABASHIRI in winning the Triple Crown, he has another top class sort in RABADA who made an impressive debut in Johannesburg last season and then followed that up with two wins and a Grade 1 win when he won the Premier's at this track over 1600m. Anton Marcus has ridden him in all seven of his starts for four wins and two seconds. He does tend to labour though over distances further than the "mile". His last run which was in the Guineas over this C & D was a particularly good one in which he ran on when finishing second to the ante post favourite for the Vodacom July, BLACK ARTHUR.

ROCKETBALL ran the race of his life last time in the Triple Crown decider when he finished desperately close behind ABASHIRI four weeks ago. At one stage it looked as though he was going to cause a major upset, but that wasn't to be and he had to be content with second. He was unfancied that day. Will need to confirm that sudden improvement. He returns to his home town after a long stint on the Highveld. Warren Kennedy rides again.

STEBBINS was not disgraced last time in the SA Derby and can find a place at best.