Belgarion, victor last year of the famous Durban July, is the bookies' favourite at 22/10 to win the other race that is so deeply lodged in the South African public's consciousness, the iconic "Met".

The 2000m event with the proudest of histories, will be staged at Kenilworth on Saturday.

Belgarion, who forms part of a three-pronged attack trained by dominant local conditioner, Justin Snaith, (dual Durban July winner Do It Again and 2017 Winter Series star, African Night Sky are stable companions,) seems teed up for a career defining performance.

He was hugely impressive when defeating re-opposing Rainbow Bridge and Cirillo in the Green Point Stakes in mid- December, then hardly shamed when clocking in third in the Queen's Plate over 1600m.

The Met distance suits Belgarion better. He has competed with distinction against top-class rivals already and as a lightly campaigned five year-old can put forth a peak showing at only his 12th start.

Queen Supreme looms a threat as she has repeatedly dismissed the best of her female contemporaries whilst also badly scaring outstanding colts like overseas-bound stable mate, Hawwaam.

Mike de Kock's runner was a stylish winner of the G1 Paddock Stakes at Kenilworth three weeks ago and with further improvement expected, this Irish bred mare has the natural ability to menace Belgarion.

Eric Sands presents two principal contenders, Rainbow Bridge (close 2nd to One World in the 2020 Met) and Golden Ducat, who share the same prolific-producing dam, Halfway to Heaven. They fought out a humdinger in the Champions Stakes in August 2019 to showcase their merits, though both finished a couple of lengths off Belgarion in the July.

Rainbow Bridge is now significantly better off at the weight turnaround with the favourite however, whilst the tactically adaptable Golden Ducat is a tough scrapper bound to have progressed since the Durban winter season, so they should be accorded proper respect.

The sole three year-old filly, Princess Calla is interesting. There was honour in defeat 2.3 lengths off Queen Supreme in the Paddock Stakes at only her fifth career try and she finished the same distance behind arguably the best of the three year-old crop, Captain's Ransom in the Fillies Guineas.

That is strong form to put on her CV. Adam Marcus saddles her carrying just 51.5kg's - the mercurial services of excellent jock Grant van Niekerk is an added bonus.

Do It Again has drawn a blank since his July heroics in 2019, the same year he was only just run out of it in the Met by perennial rival, Rainbow Bridge. The six year-old may not have won for 574 days, yet cannot be written off as he usually runs big second up after a break and there was much to like about his brisk finish in the Queen's Plate. The occasionally grumpy veteran now gets cheek pieces to enhance his concentration.

The betting market might be underestimating Silver Operator as a seemingly forlorn 50/1 outsider, given that he's stepping up in trip for the first time, which should be fine based on his pedigree (by Silvano). Silver Operator, one of the best Cape youngsters around (before being knocked out with an injury,) also has scope to develop having only raced eight times.

Cirillo is another trying a longer route. Sean Tarry's entry was only lumbered in deep stretch in the Green Point a neck off Belgarion and Rainbow Bridge. On that basis it would be foolish to dismiss this 33/1 longshot as a no-hoper, especially if the early fractions are not too testing and he can employ optimal stalk and pounce tactics on a dry surface.

Dedicated horseman, Snaith is trying to work miracles in bringing the seven year- old, African Night Sky back from injury. He might have won his last start but for being badly blocked on the rail - the ante post market is somewhat leery of his prospects however and pegs African Night Sky with a meagre 5% chance of winning.

Running Brave is a front running invader from Joburg that will be a significant pace factor. A bargain R30 000 buy who has earned close to R2 million in stakes, she will again run her heart out but could be found wanting when it counts.

100/1 rank outsider, Sovereign Spirit makes up the eleven runner field. He's finished well adrift of Belgarion and Golden Ducat without obvious excuses and seems unlikely to trouble the judge.

Race 1 is 11:50 while the Met - Race 9 - is scheduled for 17:10.

Source: News24