EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN DIFFICULT TO OPPOSE

IN TODAY'S GRADE 1 DAILY NEWS 2000

- GRAEME HAWKINS

The R2-million Daily News 2000 (Gr1) for 3yo's has long been one of South Africa's great Classic events and this afternoon's renewal at Hollywoodbets Greyville is no exception.

Eight On Eighteen has already won two Grade 1 races over 2000m this season having conquered the older brigade in the R5-million World Sports Betting Cape Town Met over 2000m at Kenilworth in January when edging out last year's Hollywoodbets Durban July winner, Oriental Charm.

Then, a month later, Eight On Eighteen followed up with a comfortable victory over the same course and distance in the R1,5-million SplashOut Cape Derby, coming home more than a length ahead of his stable companion Sail The Seas.

The latter reversed the form by a narrow margin in the recent WSB Guineas (Gr2) three weeks ago but that was over 1600m, a distance very much on the sharp side for Eight On Eighteen.

Unfortunately, Sail The Seas is on the sidelines this afternoon following a setback in training and Eight On Eighteen, back over his favourite trip, is thus very difficult to oppose and unsurprisingly a short-priced favourite.