South Africa
Snaith's tough nuts taking on Tuffontein challenges
A black eye last start has hardened one of Justin Snaith's competitors in South African World Pool features.
See It Again may have been beaten last start but Justin Snaith is confident that the gelding is 'a whole lot better' as he heads to the Group 1 Premier's Challenge Stakes (2000m) at Turffontein on Saturday.
Well fancied in the Group 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes (1600m) over the same course on March 7 and finishing secont, the story can have a different outcome this time.
"He's going to be a hard nut to crack for the other guys," Snaith said.
"The only horse that I see as having a chance to beat him would be the stable companion.
"Unfortunately, last time he took a sod to the eye and everything didn't go to his advantage.
"He was not running comfortably in the straight with his head to the side and I think that impeded him a bit.
"It wasn't ideal and the track was very soft that day."
See It Again was ridden by leading jockey Richard Fourie but the top hoop hops aboard stablemate Okavango who would see Snaith, as alluded to, unsurprised if he was take the win.
"Besides See It Again, Okavango is one of those horses that I've always wanted to take to Johannesburg as his mother, Sabina Park, was a group one winner there.
"He is bred for this and on the basis of that, I think he could be underrated in the betting and he is certainly a horse that I think will run a race.
"He's a very classy horse especially at 2000 and at weight for age. Anything he runs in
Eight weeks between runs is not ideal for Double Grand Slam but the country's champion trainer is setting that aside in readiness for a big performance in the Empress Club Stakes (1600m).
One of the hype horses in South African racing, the five-year-old mare hasn't raced since winning the Group 1 Majorca Stakes (1600m) at Kenilworth on January 31.
"There were no alternate races and it was just how the program worked," Snaith said.
"She should be fine though as she is in very good form but it would have been ideal to have had another run but take nothing away from her chances as she'll run very well.
"She's a very good filly and her work is phenomenal at the moment and she is deadly over anything from five furlongs to 1800m."
Keywords – Justin Snaith, Double Grand Slam, Turffontein, Empress Club Stakes, Premier's Champions Challenge
4/4/26 – Turffontein – Race 7
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