There are three graded events sharing the spotlight at Turffontein on Saturday and while two of them have attracted small fields, they are all open-looking contests.

The Gr 2 Senor Santa Handicap over 1160m sees 3-year-old Chekilli revert to sprinting, in which sphere he is currently unbeaten, and he could get back on the winning trail after two defeats over seven furlongs. He was not disgraced in either race, though. He was conceding weight to all his opponents when tiring late into third in the Tony Ruffel Stakes behind stablemate Bouclette Top, who has since placed in both legs of the Triple Crown thus far, and then ran an absolute cracker when second to proven Gr 1 performer Whiteline Fever in the Hawaii Stakes. He tried to make all the running in heavy conditions that day and was only mastered late. He’s handily weighted here, all things considered, and could prove hard to peg back over his favoured trip.

There are dangers aplenty and a case can be made for just about every one of his opponents.

The most interesting runner in the field is Cape raider Happy Forever, as it is rare to see visitors from that part of world travelling to the Highveld. Highly talented, but plagued by injury problems, Happy Forever’s track appearances have been restricted. Despite his problems, he doesn’t seem to know how run a bad race, and Joey Ramsden and his team have done a remarkable job in keeping him on the boil. If he copes with the altitude, he’ll be a big runner.

Welwitschia’s last effort, when things went badly awry in the Majorca Stakes, can be ignored. She has winning claims on her best form, which includes an impressive win in the Merchants at Kenilworth three runs ago.

Link Man bounced back to form over this course and distance last time out and is another one capable of winning at his best, but he is inconsistent these days and one doesn’t know quite what to expect.

Here Comes Billy, who won the Merchants at this track, is always on the premises but faces a stiff task at the weights and may have to settle for the placings.

The Gr 2 Colorado King Stakes, over 2000m, has a similar profile with all eight runners having realistic chances. The race could prove a shoot-out between the powerful stables of Mike de Kock and Sean Tarry.

De Kock’s Captain Lars is progressive and handled the step up to listed level with aplomb when scoring a front-running victory in the Drum Star Stakes over 1800m. The extra furlong shouldn’t be a problem. Given the small field, this is likely to be a very tactical affair and he could once again dictate terms successfully from the front.

Stablemate Ilha Bela will enjoy dropping back to this trip and, although she’s been expensive to follow at times, is more than capable in this class.

Tarry sends out three runners of whom The Hangman is the most accomplished. However, he is re-establishing himself following a lengthy, injury-enforced layoff and his three runs since returning have produced mixed results. He’s good enough to win this if he reproduces his best form.

Cagiva is in top form and was impressive in beating big-race winners Tellina and Wylie Hall in a Pinnacle event over 1800m. He is rising rapidly through the ranks, probably has more improvement to come, and is one for the short-list.

Halve The Deficit has also put together a good run of form and has had two recent duels with Captain Lars, with the record at 1-1. He is also a lively contender,

Knock On Wood is seldom far off and should be running on, while Brooks-Club is something of an enigma but has place prospects here.

The Gr 3 Sycamore Sprint, over 1160m, looks a bit of a lottery. Honorine has always looked to have ability, but has been a bit in-and-out. She came back to form when narrowly beaten last time out and looks the one to beat here.

However, she has to concede weight down the field and the likes of Virgo’s Babe, Choir Maiden, Dolomiti, Winter Passion and Samba Serenade must all enter the equation