‘Teddy’ looks a banker today
THE racemeeting at the Turffontein Inside track tomorrow is low key but there are some good horses turning out for an MR 104 Handicap which forms the first leg of the Jackpot.
Bankable Teddy will be ridden by Lyle Hewitson in this event from a good draw of two.
The six-year-old Bankable gelding made a winning seasonal reappearance last year in September over this same course and distance and can repeat the feat.
He is ten points higher in the merit ratings but the six point across the board raise which was given in March must be taken into account so he is effectively only four points higher.
He has run three times over the course and distance for a win, a second and a third and he finished last season well with a close second over this trip on the Standside track.
He is the one to beat against opponents who mostly have bigger fish to fry and will likely be using this as a preparation outing.
Kilrain could be the main danger as he should be fit from a recent outing over 1600m where he ran a close fourth.
He now wears first time blinkers over a more suitable trip but does have a tricky draw.
Dawn Assault is an improved horse who has won over the trip before and he has won before after a similar length break.
Sabina’s Dynasty is drawn in pole and distance suited but has a tough task carrying 61kg against the boys.
Crowd Pleaser is talented but is a front running to handy sort and might need it.
He also seems to reserve his best for Greyville.
Cash Time ran dismally on his seasonal reappearance and now has his second run after a layoff.
The meeting starts with an interesting race over 1 000m as there are some expensive first-timers.
The R1,1 million filly Xplosive Kiss is by Captain Al out of a one-time winning Fort Wood mare who is a half-sister to two Listed winners.
She is being ridden by Gavin Lerena and is tipped to beat the R1 million Frankel filly Avantegarde as Frankel is yet to fire with his foals who have raced here to date.
Mythical Bolt
In the second race over 1 000m Sean Tarry introduces a very interesting runner in Mythical Bolt, who is a R1,5 million Captain Al colt who is out of a full-sister to the champion printer Mythical Flight.
Tarry trained Mythical Flight and Mythical Bolt is tipped to beat the Camelot filly Welsh Harp, who flew home on debut after being outpaced.
Lady Jackson looks to be the best of the other raced runners and she jumps from a plum draw under Gavin Lerena.
The third race over 1000m looks a match race between Ottawa and Tricia and the former is tipped as she was beaten only by a well regarded horse in Big Blue Marble last time.
The pair should get punters through the Pick 6.
In the fifth race over 2 000m Hafla is a progressive sort who finished strongly over 1 600m last time and she should stay this trip being by Trippi out of Al Mufti mare Alderry, who won up to 1 800m. Emerald Bay has been disappointing lately but has not been cracking good draws and she now gets a good draw off a reduced merit rating over a suitable trip.
Royal Utopia was well weighted last time in an Assesment Plate and doddled it.
She has a harder task here but is in good form and should be thereabouts.
The next is an Assessment Plate over 2 600m and Forest Express has an easy task on paper.
He is well in at the weights and gives the impression he will stay this trip. Brand New Cadillac won well over 2 400m last time and can be included for the risk averse.
The value for a place is Mantracker, who is drawn well and is an improving staying type.
The seventh is a tricky MR 68 Handicap over 2 600m.
War Legend
However, War Legend should enjoy the step down from 3 000m and looks the one to beat as a progressive stayer by Oratorio. Highlander has taken well to staying events and should be finishing strongly from behind.
Tapenzee, Kamakura and Eastern Pearl can also be included in the exotic bets.
The last race is a typically tricky MR 64 Handicap over 1 000m.
Nitro Charge is just two points higher for his win over this trip last time and can follow up from a fair draw.
Deago Deluxe has improved and can go close from a plum draw with the same 4kg claimer aboard as when running well last time over this trip.
River Ayre won narrowly last week over course and distance and has a chance from a good draw off a three point higher mark, although it’s never easy against the boys.