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Top Trainers Dominate Guineas Entries

3 minute read

Trainers Alec Laird and Mike de Kock have each entered six three-year-olds for the R1 million Betting World Guineas at Turffontein on March 1.

When entries closed for the rG2 race, first leg of the SASCOC Triple Crown, Laird, de Kock and Geoff Woodruff were responsible for 17 of the 31 entries.

There were 22 entries for the R500,000 G2 Wilgerbosdrift Fillies Guineas), the first leg of the Wilgerbosdrift Triple Tiara spread among many trainers.

Laird appears to have some of the best three-year-old colts in the country and runners from his yard could dominate the final field.

Topping his list of nominations is Forest Indigo, who performed well in three G1 races last year.

He won the Golden Horseshoe over 1400m, was runner-up to Kochka in the Premier’s Champion Stakes (1600m) – both at Greyville – and ran on strongly from a wide draw to finish fourth behind Elusive Gold in the Cape Guineas at Kenilworth.

Laird has also entered two unbeaten runners in Mr Cricket and As You Like, as well as four-time winner Chekilli, G3 Tony Ruffel Stakes hero Bouclette Top and Bezanova.

De Kock’s six are Akii Bua, Gone Baby Gone, Moofeed, Raaees, Taarish and Umgiyo.

Raaees has won three of his four starts, all in KwaZulu-Natal, and could be the pick of the team.

Woodruff has five nominated – Louis The King, Shadow Ofhis Smile, Rake’s Chestnut, Tee Jay Ar and Dynamite, while trainer Sean Tarry has entered three including G2 Dingaans winner Willow Magic.

The Filies Guines entries include For The Lads, winner of the G1 Golden Slipper, G1 Thekwini Stakes champion Along Came Polly, the Ormond Ferraris-trained Close The Gap, Joey Soma’s charge Athina and the De Kock-trained Santa Carolina.

Supplementary entries close on February 17 with declarations due on February 20.


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