The first leg of the SA Triple Crown and the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara takes center stage this Saturday at Turffontein, featuring the R1-million Gauteng Guineas and the R750,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Both Grade 2 contests, run over 1600m on the Standside track, promise an exciting day of racing.

Notably, although several fillies were nominated for both races, all have opted to compete in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. Among them is the standout star Quid Pro Quo, who will bid farewell to South African racing fans before heading overseas to continue her career.

Purchased by a syndicate for an undisclosed sum, Quid Pro Quo’s stunning performance in the Grade 2 Dingaans, where she decisively defeated some of the nation’s best three-year-old colts, cemented her reputation. That victory was particularly remarkable, as it came after a four-month break.

Trainer Barend Botes continues to oversee her preparation ahead of her departure, with Piere Strydom booked for the ride once more. Drawn in gate 11, Quid Pro Quo faces a tricky starting position but has shown herself to be an adaptable and class filly, which should see her prove too strong for her rivals under level weights.

Ironically, Quid Pro Quo isn’t the highest-rated horse in the field—that honor belongs to Tony Peter-trained VJ’s Angel. Despite being partnered by top jockey Gavin Lerena, she will have to overcome an even wider draw at No. 13. VJ’s Angel was no match for Quid Pro Quo when beaten by three lengths in a Grade 2 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Other notable contenders include Sean Tarry’s World Of Alice and Joe Soma’s Fiery Pegasus, who were first and second in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile. However, both will need to rediscover their best form after lackluster performances in subsequent starts.

The Gauteng Guineas will see Fire Attack and Greaterix resume their rivalry, with the score currently tied at one apiece. Greaterix, now officially under the Mike and Mathew de Kock banner, was the Dingaans favorite but faltered late, finishing behind Quid Pro Quo and Fire Attack. However, in their most recent clash, Greaterix found redemption in the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m, where Muzi Yeni timed his run perfectly to secure a decisive, if narrow, victory over Fire Attack.

Adding to the intrigue, Sean Tarry’s duo of Legend Of Arthur and Dantonfromsandton could pose a threat, with experienced jockeys Piere Strydom and Ryan Munger in the saddle, respectively.

The second leg of the Triple Crown and Triple Tiara—the Grade 1 SA Classic and Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m—will take place on March 1. The series will culminate on Champions Day, March 28, with the Grade 1 SA Derby and the Grade 2 Wilgerbosdrift SA Oaks, both run over 2450m.

Final field for the R1-million Gauteng Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m

1 - 1 FIRE ATTACK (A G Laird) G Lerena 60.0 - 111

2 - 4 LEGEND OF ARTHUR (S G Tarry) P Strydom 60.0 - 111

3 - 9 GREATERIX (M/M de Kock) M Yeni 60.0 - 109

4 - 13 CHESTNUT BOMBER (J J van Vuuren) C Maujean 60.0 - 106

5 - 11 DANTONFROMSANDTON (S G Tarry) R Munger 60.0 - 106

6 - 5 WAHEED (M/M de Kock) R A Venniker 60.0 - 105

7 - 10 WILD AT WAR (C Dawson) P Mxoli 60.0 - 102

8 - 6 BACCHUS (F P Habib) D Schwarz 60.0 - 101

9 - 2 PARISIAN WALKWAY (A G Laird) D De Gouveia 60.0 - 101

10 - 7 MUSICAL SCORE (M N Houdalakis) C Zackey 60.0 - 100

11 - 8 CHOISAANADA (E Verdonese) R Danielson 60.0 - 98

12 - 12 ARISTOTLE (A G Laird) K Matsunyane 60.0 - 94

13 - 3 DIWALI ROCKET (M Pandaram) K A Brewer 60.0 - 91

Same Trainer: (1,9,12) (2,5) (3,6)

Final field for the R750,000 Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas (Grade 2) over 1600m

1 - 13 VJ'S ANGEL (A P Peter) G Lerena 60.0 - 119

2 - 11 QUID PRO QUO (B D Botes) P Strydom 60.0 - 115

3 - 5 OLIVIA'S WAY (R R Magner) D De Gouveia 60.0 - 110

4 - 12 WORLD OF ALICE (S G Tarry) C Zackey 60.0 - 108

5 - 10 FIERY PEGASUS (J A Soma) M Yeni 60.0 - 107

6 - 1 VULCANITE (P F Matchett) R Munger 60.0 - 104

7 - 2 KOMMETJIE STORM (A P Peter) R A Venniker 60.0 - 96

8 - 9 BAKWENA (J J van Vuuren) ............... 60.0 - 95

9 - 14 MISS LIA (P F Matchett) P Mxoli 60.0 - 95

10 - 6 SALENIO PENINSULA (J J van Vuuren) C Maujean 60.0 - 95

11 - 8 POBLANO (R R Sage) D Schwarz 60.0 - 93

12 - 7 SONIC JET (C J Lensley) K Matsunyane 60.0 - 91

13 - 3 SPUMANTE DOLCE (M/M de Kock) R Danielson 60.0 - 89

14 - 4 TOO LATE MY MATE (A G Laird) K A Brewer 60.0 - 83

Same Trainer: (1,7) (6,9) (8,10)