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Heading Sunday's card at Clairwood in Durban is the Listed KZN Guineas Trial over 1600m.
Although only nine runners will face the starter, it should be an interesting contest between a number of very promising three year olds.
Top weight is Fighting Warrior (AUS), who won the Grade 1 Golden Horseshoe at Greyville on July day in Durban. In his subsequent start, the Magic Albert colt out of Dark Blue ran on well, in very heavy conditions, in the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes to finish fourth, 1.85 lengths behind Potala Palace.
Fighting Warrior has been reschooled since missing the jump in his last start and with regular jockey Stuart Randolph in the saddle he should be hard to beat if he jumps on terms.
His challenger is likely to be the De Kock trained Silver Flyer. The Silvano colt won his second start by two lengths and then went on to finish fifth, 2.6 lengths behind Potala Palace in the Grade 1 Premier's Champion Stakes despite the heavy going.
Next up he easily accounted for the opposition when winning a Merit Rated Handicap(1400m) by 2.75 lengths. De Kock thinks highly of the colt and he should relish the step up in distance. The only downside is that Silver Flyer has never raced left-handed before.
Sean Tarry has entered an interesting trio of Whiteline Fever, E-Jet and Pomodoro. All three are coming off impressive maiden wins, recording a combined winning margin of 9 lengths. This is a step up in class for all three and stable jockey Robbie Fradd has taken the ride on Pomodoro.
Another youngster to take note of is the Western Winter colt, Winter Mischief. Placed twice over 1200m, he then drew 3 lengths clear to win at Clairwood, relishing the step up in distance to 1800m. Ian Sturgeon has the ride and the drop in distance should not be a problem.
With such a promising lineup of youngsters, the KZN Guineas Trial should provide some useful pointers for the Classics in the upcoming summer season.