Christmas Flower to bloom
VALUE: LAIRD RUNNER SHOULD GO OFF AT A GOOD PRICE IN RACE 8 AT TURFFONTEIN
Miracle And Wonder to get bettors off to a winning start.
The holiday season is over and we have all had to come back to the realities of Covid-19, but a little touch of Christmas cheer could still remain at Turffontein tomorrow.
Racing once again is on the Standside track and there is a nine-race card we will be looking at. The headliner on the card is Race 7, the Swallow Stakes, a Listed race for three-year-old fillies over 1160m.
Before we get there, let us not forget the Grade 1 L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate over 1600m will be run at Kenilworth today, as well as the supporting Grade 1 feature, the Cartier Paddock Stakes over 1800m.
Boosting the meeting is a R3 million carryover with the Pick 6 MEGAPOOL likely to reach R10 million!
As far as the Queen’s Plate is concerned, I feel it will be hard to beat Belgarion after his impressive comeback run, and I make Rainbow Bridge the only danger.
In the Paddock Stakes, Summer Pudding puts her unbeaten streak on the line, but I feel she is still the horse to beat. Her main danger for me, is the defending champion Queen Supreme.
I really feel the Joburg horses will fight this one out. My best bet on the Kenilworth card comes up in Race 9 where I feel Warrior will take all the beating.
Coming back to tomorrow’s card at Turffontein, Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m and the best bet on the card comes up in the form of Miracle And Wonder. She is now racing against the fillies again after a good last run against the colts.
My ride, Greenhill, is probably her main danger, but we will have to improve significantly to beat her.
In Race 2, another Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m, I like the look of Future Lady. She is also up against the fillies after a very good last run against the colts, and off a good draw will be hard to beat.
Siren Of Greece, Irish Willow and my ride, Aflame, should fill the minor placings.
I make Race 3, a Maiden Plate for all horses over 1400m, a three-runner affair between my first choice, I'm Al, Raise the red lantern and my ride, All Aglow. All three horses are expected to make natural improvement and should get you through your bets.
In Race 4, a Progress Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m, Marygold looks extremely hard to beat and is a banker in all bets. Kayla's Champ and Sidonie are the immediate dangers.
Race 5, a MR 80 Handicap over 1400m, is far more competitive but I think Oscar Wilde is the horse to beat. He has a good draw and will give a good account of himself.
Purple Panther and Secrets Of Maya are the immediate dangers and must be respected. My ride, Storm Commander, can fill minor honours after the drop in trip.
Race 6 is Pinnacle take over 1400m and I make it a wide-open contest, so add as many as possible.
But for smaller bets I would focus on the light weights in the form of my ride, Golden Pheasant, Putontheredlight and Donderweer.
This is a tough race so go as wide as the budget will allow.
Race 7 is the Listed Swallow Stakes and although it's a small field, it is ultra-competitive, so put as many runners as you can afford into your Pick 6 and Jackpots.
Ecstatic Green is a massive runner on best form while unbeaten Bequest has her sternest test. Anna Capri, Rapid Fire and my ride, Sweet Sensation, all have winning chances.
Race 8, a MR 100 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m, is another open contest, but I make Christmas Flower the horse to beat. She drops in class and distance, which will definitely suit her.
In The Dance comes back off a rest and if fully wound up must be respected. Springs Of Carmel and Frosted Steel are others to consider while my ride, Karino, comes off a rest but is definitely better than her last couple of runs and could take minor honours.
Race 9, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m, is another open contest but I would
structure bets around my ride and the horse to beat, Nina Amelia, as well as Leading Fast, Twelve
Oaks and The Fifth Wave.
Add as many as you can in order to get you through your bets.