Solo Traveller will be looking to emulate the great Jay Peg when he lines up in the Investec Cape Derby to be run over 2000m on J&B Met day, Saturday, January 29.

One of three Grade 1 races on the card, the Derby has attracted a smart field of sophomore colts and the Justin Snaith-trained Solo Traveller will be attempting the classic double after winning the Bloodstock SA Cape Guineas last month.

He was a touch disappointing in the recent Politician Stakes but that race should have brought the son of leading sire Western Winter to his peak for his crack at the Derby.

Solo Traveller is rated six points superior to his nearest rival in the handicap ratings, the Gavin Smith-trained The Plunderer who steps out of his Port Elizabeth stronghold for the first time. Second in the RA Stakes behind J&B Met hopeful Run For It, The Plunderer warmed up nicely when second in an Open Handicap sprint at his last start.

Trainer Greg Ennion is having a brilliant summer and will be hoping that Mystic Moon can build on his upset Politician Stakes victory that saw Solo Traveller beaten into third. He will however, be 3kg worse off as they now meet at level weights. Ennion finished 1-2 in the Politician Stakes with the stable also sending out second-placed Nysean Bolt.

Joey Ramsden saddles four runners in the race with the stable elect looking to be the Australian-bred Il Saggiatore, the mount of Glen Hatt, recently returned from a very successful riding stint in Mauritius. Il Saggiatore finished fifth in the Politician Stakes from a wide draw and was less than three lengths behind Solo Traveller in the Cape Guineas. The gelded son of top international sire Galileo should come into his own over the Derby trip.

M’Lords Throat is only a maiden winner but has finished fifth in three Graded features including the Cape Guineas and more recently the Peninsula Handicap. He too should enjoy going this trip for the first time.

Top Seller is also feature placed and trainer Vaughan Marshall and owner Roy Eckstein will be hoping for a feature double with Tales of Bravery doing duty in the J&B Met.

Sc# Horse Mass MR Draw B A T Jockey Trainer
1 SOLO TRAVELLER 58.0 108 ( 96) 1 A B Fayd'Herbe Justin Snaith
2 THE PLUNDERER 58.0 102 ( 90) 2 A T F Coetzee Gavin Smith
3 M'LORDS THROAT 58.0 101 ( 89) 11 A P Strydom Glen Kotzen
4 MYSTIC MOON 58.0 101 ( 89) 6 C A R Fourie Greg Ennion
5 TOP SELLER 58.0 101 ( 89) 14 B A M Byleveld Vaughan Marshall
6 NYSEAN BOLT 58.0 99 ( 87) 3 A K Neisius Greg Ennion
7 IL SAGGIATORE 58.0 98 ( 86) 9 A G Hatt Joey Ramsden
8 CASTLETHORPE 58.0 97 ( 85) 13 A A Delpech Mike Bass
9 BASTILLE DAY 58.0 91 ( 79) 5 A A Marcus Glen Puller
10 LUCKY MOON 58.0 91 ( 79) 10 A K Teetan Joey Ramsden
11 ORCHARD HOUSE 58.0 90 ( 78) 12 A A Fortune Joey Ramsden
12 MAKE MY GREY 58.0 88 ( 76) 8 A C Segeon Joey Ramsden
13 ARABIAN EMPIRE 58.0 81 ( 69) 7 A R Danielson Glen Kotzen
14 CODE ROCK 58.0 81 ( 69) 4 A G Schlechter Glen Kotzen
Couplings: (3,13,14) (4,6) (7,10,11,12)