Shukamisa a PA banker
TURFFONTEIN standside is one of fairest tracks in the country and punters will be looking forward to the eight race meeting tomorrow.
The Pick 6, Jackpot and PA look attainable.
In the first leg of the PA, a MR 89 handicap over 1 600m, Shukamisa looks to be a banker.
He stayed on well over 1 400m last time and being by Silvano should be coming into his own and should relish the step up in trip.
If Elevated lines up he could be a threat.
It would have taken a good horse to finish fourth in this year’s Gr1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas, as he did, as the form of that race has proved strong.
He proved his class on Saturday in his first run for the Mike de Kock yard when winning hands and heels over this trip on the Inside track.
Some will say the second run after a layoff theory means little unless it comes too soon after a hard comeback effort.
On the one hand this run does come just three days after the comeback, but on the other he was not hard ridden to win.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1 600m, two up an coming sorts, Walter Smoothie and Stay With Me should relish the course and distance.
The former has a nice big stride and this rangy sort caught the eye running on over 1 400m on debut.
Stay With Me is also a scopey sort and he ran out of straight over 1 400m last time, despite having been caught wide in the running.
He will be a big runner here, especially if getting better luck in the running from another tricky draw.
The more experienced Dancing Rebel can be included for the risk averse.
He over raced a touch last time over this trip on the Inside track but still stayed on well for third.
If he settles better from a similar draw he will be right there, although this is his 38th run in the maidens.
The next race is an uninspiring maiden for fillies over 1 600m and looks to be a two horse race between Serendipity and Candy Kisses, although Sussex is a lurker who could upset.
The form of both Serendipity and Candy Kisses speaks for itself.
Sussex would likely prefer further, but his improved run over 1 800m last time makes him a danger over just 200m shorter on the same galloping track.
Race five, a fillies and mares handicap over 1 160m, is a potential stumbling block.
Melinda’s Garden might be all the rage, but history will show that young three-year-olds merit rated above 80 are often outgunned in their first meeting with older horses, even if they later prove to be better than that rating.
Her 82 merit rating is thus a concern, especially as her easy maiden win over 1 000m was not run in a great time.
Therefore, a bold decision to leave her out has been made and Open Road (dropped to an attractive merit rating), Madam Secretary (under achiever who should be coming into her own), Burundi Bush, Secret Vision and Last Girl Standing (all in good form) are selected to get punters through.
The next is an equally tough 1 000m handicap, although Unchained Melody still looks reasonably merit rated on 70 considering his easy start to finish maiden win over this trip.
He cast a shoe in his only subsequent start and if reproducing his maiden win could defy topweight. Rebel Renegade, Hunting Owl, Western Warrior and Chief Sioux are the ones who make most appeal of the rest and this is on the grounds of them being reasonably handicapped on their best form over what should be a suitable trip.
In the fifth leg of the Pick 6 over 1 400m, the progressive Starret City is the choice from a good draw over a suitable trip, although one slight concern is this is his first run since the end of June and it might be being seen as a run to get him going for the season.
Dan The Lad’s only win was over course and distance.
His resolute finish makes him suited to this long-straighted course and a wide draw should not be of too much bother.
Yankee Captain keeps on improving and is ideally course and distance suited.
He is also capable of running on too, so a wide draw is not insurmountable.
Holy Joe is interesting dropped in trip from a good draw on this galloping track as he is capable of turning it on.
Rambo can never be ignored despite being a nine-year-old. There should be a lot of pace in the last leg with both Time To Be Great and Just A Gigolo involved and this should set it up for the closers Rand Club, Pachucho and Tommy Waterdevil.
Crazy Vision can also be included for the risk averse.