TAB The Premier's Champions Challenge 2000M

1 – KOMMETDIEDING??????????????????? 60kg????????????????????? ???????????????Draw 3

Trainers: Harold Crawford & Michelle Rix??????????????????????????????

Jockey: Gavin Lerena

Ultra-consistent, high-class performer. Yet to finish out the first three in 11 starts, winning six of them including the Durban July and Cape Town Met. Warmed up for a crack at another Grade 1 with a creditable third on Highveld debut in the Horse Chestnut Stakes (1600m) and would have tightened up since. The best-weighted runner and will?relish the extra 400m - hard to beat.

Runs: 11 Wins: 6 Places: 5 Earnings: R3,334,000

2 – MK'S PRIDE???????????????????????????????? ?60kg?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Draw 9

Trainer: Paul Peter???????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Muzi Yeni

A popular rags-to-riches success story and the winning-most horse in the race, with nine career victories from 20 outings. Has proved effective from 1200m to 1600m and lowered the colours of re-opposing Kommetdieding in the Horse Chestnut Stakes. Has stamina doubts in his pedigree venturing over this distance for the first time but deserves?another shot at the big time and could play a minor role.??????

Runs: 20 Wins: 9 Places: 7?Earnings: R2,019,600

3 – PUERTO MANZANO??????????????????? ??60kg?????????????????????? ???????????????????Draw 5

Trainer: Johan Janse van Vuuren????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Anton Marcus?

Yet to win at four after a prolific three-year-old campaign but has consistently acquitted himself well in good company, from 1200m to 2200m. Caught the eye when runner-up to MK's Pride in the Horse Chestnut and has every chance of turning the tables on that rival over this distance with big-race veteran jockey Anton Marcus booked to ride.

Runs: 13 Wins: 4 Places: 5?Earnings: R471,300

4 – SECOND BASE?????????????????????????? 60kg???????????????????????????????????????????????? Draw 1

Trainer:?Johan Janse van Vuuren????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Keagan de Melo

Consistent feature-race performer, placed behind Malmoos in all three legs of last year's Triple Crown. Has rediscovered best form racing with blinkers fitted, winning the Grade 3 London News and Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes either side of an unsuccessful bid at the Met behind Kommetdieding. Appears held on that form but remains capable of making his presence felt back on 'home' soil under a red-hot rider.

Runs: 19 Wins: 7 Places: 7?Earnings: R1,199,150

5 – ZILLZAAL????????????????????????????????????????60kg???????????????????????????????????????????? ????Draw 8

Trainer:?Sean Tarry???????????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Richard Fourie

Course-and-distance winner of 2019 Grade 1 Summer Cup at big odds. Sparingly raced since but has shown signs of a return to form in recent starts with blinkers removed. Won the Listed Drum Star Handicap over 1800m two starts back before finishing second to Second Base in the Colorado King Stakes. Renews rivalry on identical terms but runs for a master trainer and can't be discounted under an in-form jockey - dark horse.

Runs: 23 Wins: 5 Places: 10 Earnings: R2,369,025

6 – FLYING CARPET??????????????????????????????60kg????????????????????????????????? ????Draw 2

Trainer:?Sean Tarry?????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Calvin Habib

A consistent and progressive colt who won last year's Grade 1 Summer Cup over course and distance three runs ago. Been unable to run to that level in two subsequent starts but is likely to have had this target on his agenda prior to the fifth-place finish in the Horse Chestnut on his comeback from a four-month break. Might be short of a run heading into this but usually given an honest account and shouldn't be far off the action again - place prospects.?

Runs: 18 Wins: 3 Places: 7 Earnings: R1,526,350

7 – ASTRIX?????????????????????????? 60kg???????????????????????????????????????????? Draw 10

Trainer:?Paul Peter????????????????????????????????

Jockey: JP van der Merwe

An honest campaigner, who always holds his own. Beaten under three lengths by Flying Carpet in the Summer Cup, just over a length by Second Base in the London News and sharpened up for this bid at another Grade 1 with a fourth behind MK's Pride in the Horse Chestnut. Not one to take lightly but needs to eke?out some improvement from a wide draw to trouble the principal?contenders - place chance.?

Runs: 31 Wins: 6 Places: 14 Earnings: R807,850

8 – JOHNNY HERO??????????????????????? 60kg????????????????????????????????? Draw 6

Trainer: Tyrone Zackey?????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Denis Schwarz?

A few lengths off the best of these and appears held by re-opposing rivals Second Base and Zillzaal on the form of recent meetings. Just 2.25 lengths off Flying Carpet in the Summer Cup on similar terms. Distance suited, enjoys the track and drawn in midfield, so is no forlorn hope but would need things to go his way to spring a surprise - outsider.

Runs: 29 Wins: 6 Places: 13?Earnings: R638,325

9 – SHANGO????????????????????????????????????????? 60kg?????????????????????????????????????? Draw 13

Trainer: Sean Tarry???????????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Luyolo Mxothwa?

Won the Durban July consolation last year but has placed just once in seven subsequent starts - when second to Zillzaal (2.5kg better off) in the Listed Drum Star Handicap. Also held by Second Base on the form of their meetings in the London News and Colorado King Stakes, so would be a shock winner on these terms, especially from a wide draw. Would, however, make the Quartet pay!

Runs: 22 Wins: 4 Places: 8?Earnings: R761,875

10 – SHANGANI?????????????????????????????? 60kg????????????????????????????????????? Draw 12

Trainer: Paul Peter????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Warren Kennedy

A promising and talented young stayer - and a winner more often than not. Would probably prefer further but has no stamina doubts and will appreciate a hot pace, despite a wide No 12 draw. Held by Second Base on the form (and identical weight terms) of their meeting in the Colorado King Stakes but has more scope than most and could improve to play a role in the finish - joker in the pack.

Runs: 8 Wins: 5 Places: 2?Earnings: R387,062

11 – SAVANNAH STORM??????????????? 60kg????????????????????????????????????? Draw 4

Trainer: Phillip Vermeulen??????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Marco van Rensburg

The underdog, to a certain extent a "David versus Goliath" story. A first Grade 1 runner for trainer Phillip Vermeulen and, on ratings, his five-year-old son of Sudden Storm is merely making up the numbers. Untried over the distance, out at the weights (given the conditions of the race) and inconsistent form, make him hard to recommend.??

Runs: 15 Wins: 3 Places: 2?Earnings: R181,750

12 – SPARKLING WATER??????????????? 57.5kg???????????????????????????????????????????? Draw 7

Trainer: Mike de Kock????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: S'manga Khumalo

A well-bred and well-performed Silvano filly, the only member of the fairer sex in the race. Lightly raced but, like most progeny of her sire, getting better with age. Effective from 1400m to 2800m, she was a close-up third to Second Base in the course-and-distance Colorado King Stakes two starts back before finishing third in the 1600m Grade 1 Empress Club Stakes last week. Fighting fit and distance suited, she's likely to make her presence felt on these terms - respect.

?Runs: 14 Wins: 6 Places: 7?Earnings: R1,014,125

13 – ZEUS?????????????????????????????????? 56.5kg???????????????????????????????????????????????Draw 11

Trainer: Fabian Habib????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

Jockey: Craig Zackey

An exciting colt and the only three-year-old in the race. Won his first four starts and has only ever been beaten at Grade 1 level - lost his unbeaten record in the 1800m SA Classic before being edged out by Aragosta in the SA Derby over 2450m by Aragosta when last seen. His wide No 11 draw does his chances no favours but he has most scope for improvement and the cut back in trip to 2000m should also suit - not to be underestimated!?

Runs: 6 Wins: 4 Places: 1 Earnings: R540,625