Race of the Day / Phumelela / 30 March 2012 /

It's all about quality on Turffontein's day-night card on Saturday as the SA Classic (due off 16:20 BST), the continent's richest race for three-year-old's, takes place over the track's tough 1800m. Here is a guide to the runners...

Gimmethegreenlight (J Snaith/P Strydom) is the winner of the 1600m Queen's Plate but proved he could stay this trip when third over 2000m in the J&B Met. Leading player having won over 1400m earlier in month and long term target could be the Breeders' Cup Mile in November. Wide draw to overcome.

Silver Flyer (M de Kock/G Hatt) was ahead of most of these when victorious in the Dingaans in November and finished 2½ lengths in front of Gimmethegreenlight when runner-up in 1600m Cape Guineas earlier in year. Colic the reason for poor show in Gauteng Guineas but may still not be at his peak.

Potala Place (M Azzie/G Lerena) became a top-level juvenile winner when taking the Premier's Champions Stakes but only a single success from five starts since. Did shape well when only just behind Golden Chateau last time, though, and better suited by this trip.

Whiteline Fever (S Tarry/A Marcus) found Silver Flyer too good in the Dingaans and was a disappointing eighth in the Gauteng Guineas last time. Likely to relish extra distance and should do better with last two starts behind him, but hindered by wide draw.

Mushreq (M de Kock/R Fradd) is a strong front-runner. Been given time off since fading into fifth in January's Cape Derby and may have more to offer, but likely to find a couple too good.

Golden Chateau (M de Kock/D David) is the third of the five de Kock representatives and was a shock Gauteng Guineas winner last month. Holds Brooks-Club on that evidence but difficult to know whether form will hold up. Has to prove himself over an extra 200m.

Pomodoro (S Tarry/W Marwing) is one of five runners for Sean Tarry. Didn't get chance to shine in Gauteng Guineas last time but had looked good previously when beating Governor General in the 1450m Tony Ruffel Stakes. Not to be discounted from good draw.

Brooks-Club (G Van Zyl/R Simons) improved on his Tony Ruffel Stakes fifth when second in the Gauteng Guineas. Badly drawn and has work to do to overturn Pomodoro but shapes as though wil stay this far.

Slumdogmillionaire (G Van Zyl/Mienie) did well to finish a length third when a well-backed favourite for the Gauteng Guineas. Unbeaten in two going into that race, remains with scope for improvement now upped in trip and not expected to be compromised by wide draw.

Heavy Metal (S Tarry/-) is of similar ability to stablemate Pomodoro and Golden Chateau. Beaten by Royal Ridge in 1600m Egoli Mile last time but unlucky there and should benefit from step up in trip.

Royal Ridge (M de Kock/A Delpech) is the choice of the stable jockey. Trip an unknown but well drawn and could feature in the finish coming into the race on the back of a determined win.

Winter Mischief (Brown and Robinson/K Latham) is very consistent but has only won once from eight starts and this a tougher assignment than he's ever faced.

Baracah (S Tarry/S Brown) overcame a virus and poor draw when putting up a fair display in the Gauteng Guineas. Beaten by many of these previously, however, and makes little appeal.

E-Jet (S Tarry/S Cormack) has been well held in both of his outings since a three-month absence. Marked improvement needed if he's to figure here.

Governor General (M de Kock/T Appie) was undone by a poor draw in the Gauteng Guineas and has suffered a similar fate here. Plenty to find with Pomodoro and an unlikely winner.

Indian Hawk (I Moore/S Randolph) is the most experienced in the field but has proved extremely consistent. Experiences trip and course for first time and will need to improve, but does have good draw.

Zambucca (Reserve) (S Mohideen/-) has shown little in his last two runs and is well held by Slumdogmillionaire. Unlikely winner.

Carnaby Street (Reserve) (R Lerena/-) was unplaced at the track last weekend and is held by many of his rivals on past form.

Saturday's Turffontein Card
 SA Classic (3-year-olds; Grade 1) 1800m R2,000,000
 SA Fillies' Classic (3-year-old fillies; Grade 1) 1800m R1,000,000
 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes (Grade 1) 1600m R1,000,000
 Man O'War Sprint (3-year-olds; Grade 3) 1100m R200,000
 Caradoc Gold Cup (Grade 3) 2850m R200,000
 Protea Stakes (2-year-olds; Grade 3) 1100m R200,000
 Pretty Polly Stakes (2-year-old fillies; Grade 3) 1100m R165,000
 Jacaranda Handicap (Grade 3) 1800m R165,000

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