Eight On Eighteen will bid to become the first three-year-old to complete the G1 Cape Town Met-Durban July double when he returns to Greyville on the back of a dominant win in May’s G1 Daily News 2000.
Speaking to Andrew Le Jeune on the latest Idol Horse Podcast, Snaith said everything had gone smoothly ahead of the 18-runner contest and appreciated the task at hand for his talented colt.
“It’s something that you wouldn’t really think a three-year-old is capable of doing to be honest – it’s a very big ask,” Snaith said. “Our racing is quite firm, it’s quick and there will be 40,000 people at the racecourse on Saturday, so for a young horse, this is pretty rare.
“He’s had the perfect prep to this race. For the first time, I’ve actually pressed him a little bit more than normal because he’s three turning four in about a month’s time and I think it’s a good time to step it up a little bit. Everything I’ve thrown at him, he just laughs at.”
The three-year-old colt will step up to the 2,200m trip for the first time, which Snaith admits could present a bit of a question mark to the son of Lancaster Bomber.
“It’s going to be very interesting over this distance,” Snaith added. It’s his first time over the 2,200 meters and he needs a bit more stamina.” ∎
