The Grade 2 Diadem historically has been a great sprint event in its own right, next to the Cape Flying Championships, it is the premier sprint event in the Western Cape. The Khaya Stables have sponsored this event for a few years now and the event has grown in strength, not only in terms of the field but also in terms of its prestige.

This is evident in the fact that Sean Tarry has 3 runners in the event, he comes to Cape Town with three of his better horses. Trip To heaven needs no introduction and has a history of excellent wins in his career none more important than this event last year. He backed up that win with a great second in the Cape Flying to Carry On Alice but hasn’t won since then. He carries top weight here along with the Brett Crawford Search Party who won the Post Merchants in KZN as his headline career win.

Tarry has the up and coming Barrack Street in the race and has a bit to find with the best here but is not without a chance. The Candice Bass-Robinson star, Dutch Philip, is one of the best three year old sprinters in SA and hasn’t been far off in any of his starts. He is one to follow.

Tarry’s other runner Wonderwall is highly rated and has been slightly disappointing recently. This could be his type of race as he steps back in distance to a trip that he most likely favours.

Always In Charge hasn’t won since that scintillating break through group 1 win in the Gold Medallion but that was in 2016 and he needs to repeat that form to go anywhere near the finish here against hardened old sprinters.

The one other that catches the eye is Sergeant Hardy from the Snaith Stable, he won nicely last time out and looks a nice sprinter. He could be the one they all have to beat here.