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After the Cape and Gauteng gave had their season openers for the three year olds, it is now the turn of the Eastern Cape. On Friday the Listed Racing Association Stakes over 1600m will be run at Fairview in Port Elizabeth.
In A Rush, the 2011 East Cape Champion Two Year Old Colt, is favourite and will carry top weight of 58kg under Muzi Yeni. The colt won five of his seven starts as a two year old, including the Listed East Cape Nursery, the Listed Dahlia Plate and the Grade Three Champion Juvenile Cup.
In the latter he narrowly beat the Ramsden trained Variety Club, who recently stepped out to win the Grade Three Matchem Stakes at Durbanville in convincing style.
In A Rush is having his second run after a rest and although it is a step up in distance, the Windrush colt should be hard to beat.
Two other local contenders to keep an eye on is the Alan Greeff trained Lord Badger, who finished third in the Champion Juvenile Cup and Act of Supremacy who finished fourth.
Lord Badger won his last start, beating Act of Supremeacy by 1.25 lengths and has won over the distance before. With in-form M J Byleveld in the saddle he is sure to be involved in the finish.
Act of Supremeacy is the only horse in the field to have beaten In A Rush. The Hekkie Strydom trained colt has consistent form and although it is a step up in distance, he could turn the tables on Lord Badger.
An unknown quantity is the Sean Miller trained Kimberley raider, Jupiter Symphony, who is making his turf debut. The Requiem colt won his last two starts by a combined 8.25 lengths in Merit Rated Handicaps and is racing fit. He does however meet stronger opposition here and will have to step up in class to contest the finish.
The dark horse in the race is the Justin Snaith trained Changingoftheguard. The Go Deputy colt ran second on his first start and then came out and then won his second start convincingly by two lengths. The Snaith stable is on a roll and despite coming off a four month rest, the colt should be reasonably fit and could be anything.
In A Rush should have this race at his mercy, but if he fluffs his lines, Lord Badger and Act of Supremeacy should be right there to take the glory. Jupiter Symphony, King of Flags and Changingoftheguard to contest the minor places.