The Gold Vase is headed by two runners carrying 60kgs, with Ovidio (Danehill Dancer) and Helderberg Blue (Jet Master) jointly topping the weights.

 

Ovidio, the highest rated runner in the race with a merit rating of 109, has not impressed in either of his two KZN starts this year having finished last and second last in last two runs. Would be a contender if at his best, and did run July hope Krambambuli (Black Minnaloushe) to 1.65 lengths three starts back –when giving Krambambuli 1kgs.

 

Temperamental gelding Helderberg Blue, who split Krambambuli and Ovidio, can never be discounted in a race of this nature and impressed when second to top July hope Elusive Silva (Silvano) in the Listed Sledgehammer two starts back.

Banner Hill (Tiger Hill) impressed when making a winning KZN seasonal debut when 1800m and was not disgraced when 4.35 lengths back in the Gr2 Betting World 1900.  He was conceding weight all round when 2.7 lengths off Captain Splendid (Captain Al) in the Gr3 Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time out and is now 1.5kgs better off with Captain Splendid for that effort.

 

Captain Splendid, not the most consistent of horses, ran a decent race when fourth to July runner Mr Winsome (Silvano) last time out and must have a chance here, even if he is worse off at the weights with some of his rivals.

 

Game front running 7yo Serissa (Black Minnaloushe) was very game when a close third in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time out but meets Captain Splendid at the same terms as when they met in the Lonsdale.

Sun On Africa (Seul Amour) ran above expectations, and his rating, when a close second, to Mr Winsome, in the Gr3 Track And Ball Derby last time out and must have a chance if repeating that effort.

 

Gauteng raider Hermoso Mundo (Ideal World) is making his first racecourse appearance since slamming his field in the Gr3 Gold Bowl at the beginning of May and is also making his Greyville debut, while former Gr1 SA Derby runner up Rocketball (Judpot) has not shown his best form in a while and must recapture his earlier form.

 

Lions Emblem (Lion Tamer), was a 5.75 lengths second in the Gold Bowl and meets Hermoso Mundo on 1.5ks better terms. Gold Cup third Kinaan (Galileo) has been disappointing of late but will prefer the trip of 3000m of Saturday’s race, while Great Rumpus (Black Minnaloushe) looks held on current form.

Ever Dear (Mogok) faces his toughest task to date here and is another who tries the 3000m trip for a first time.

With a rating of 66, Forbidden Duel (Judpot) is hard to fancy in this line up, while Rio De La Plata (Windrush) was beaten in a MR 72 handicap last time out and looks outclassed.