Immediate Edge to stamp his class

THE Gr 1 TAB SA Derby, to be run over 2450m at Turffontein Standside on Saturday, is of particular intrigue this season, because it pits together a number of potentially top class horses.

- DAVID THISELTON

They include Immediate Edge and Wild Intent, who fought out the pointer race, the Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes over 2,000m.

Also involved are three horses who proved their class by finishing in the money in the Grade 1 TAB SA Classic over 1800m, Legend Of Arthur, Grey Jet and Parisian Walkway.

Immediate Edge has always had Derby horse stamped all over him. He has a big stride and winds up into a resolute finish and is duly unbeaten in three starts from 1600m up to 2000m.

From the evidence of his last two wins, which were both over 2000 metres, he should have no problem staying the 2,450 metre trip and his pedigree should not be a negative point as far as stamina goes, because his sire Vercingetorix is by stamina influence Silvano and Vercingetorix himself won a Grade 1 over 2000m.

His dam is by Commands, whose aver-age runner apparently enjoy roundabout seven furlongs, but Commands has pro-duced a Queensland Oaks winner over 2400m. Immediate Edge has the very much in-form Ryan Munger aboard and jumps from a tricky draw of 8 out of 13.

Wild Intent

Wild Intent stayed on resolutely in the Hawwaam Stakes from a handy position and he only just failed to keep Immediate Edge at bay.