Future champs in action
TWO G1 RACES WILL GIVE AN INDICATION OF HOW NEXT GENERATION IS PROGRESSING Light weight could suit Kissable in Race 7 at Turffontein.
The two Grade 1 Guineas are being raced at Kenilworth today. It is always interesting to see how the young horses are progressing because they will be the next generation of featurerace winners.
Sadly, I could not get a ride as most of the trainers are committed to their riders. As far as the Guineas is concerned, the way I see it only three horses can win it - One World, Chimichuri Run and Soqrat. The rest will need to improve by a couple of lengths to be competitive.
The WSB Fillies Guineas could well be a battle between the two leading Cape contenders and they are the classy Clouds Unfold and unbeaten Front And Centre. The horse who could scare them a little is Temple Grafin but she has a bad draw and looks held by Clouds Unfold.
The first crop of juveniles are coming out at Turffontein today and it will be interesting to see if there any new sires who are producing precocious youngsters. There are also certain trainers who have a good record with their two-year-olds, particularly early in the season, and we usually can follow their runners when the babies start coming out.
The problem with these youngsters is that often the best horse does not win. It’s a case of which horse gets out quickest and who has the natural speed, because over 800m the race can be over before some of the horses have woken up.
The best way to look at these races with a whole field of firsttimers is to keep an eye open for any significant betting movements.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate over 1400m around the turn and the horse they all have to beat is Greener Pastures. She has good form and jumps from pole position so you can make her a Place Accumulator banker as she has a lot in her favour.
Others who could give her a go are Josi Di Nero and Over The Limit.
I’ve been riding Shezahotti and she has had numerous chances so maybe it is a good idea to put up a 4kg claimer this time.
Race 4 is another Maiden Plate with none of the exposed runners having the strongest form. Go with Tequila Man, Potjie and Naizak for the PA, and for the Pick 6 include those three as well as Tintagel, Marshall Foch and Wheatley.
Race 5 is an Assessment Plate which should favour your best handicapped runner. In this case San Fermin has the honour but she has not produced her best form of late. For that reason Mighty High looks the horse to beat and she should be a PA banker. For the Pick 6 consider Dagmar who finished behind her but is better off at the weights. Possibly include All At Once, who ran second in a very strong field. They should be good enough for the Pick 6 but if you are looking beyond them in- clude Ouro and San Fermin.
Race 6 is a fillies’ handicap where many horses have chances. My main selections are Generous Notion, Announcing Rain and Che Bella. They could be good enough for the PA but for the Pick 6 you could consider the field.
I ride Parental Control who is held by Bullsade. But that was her first run after a couple of months’ break so hopefully she can come on and be involved in the finish.
Race 7 is a Pinnacle Stakes where your best rated horse is Exquisite Touch. She is coming off a rest and could run fresh.
But Kissable, who is fast and gets a 3kg claim, could be very hard to catch. Rebel’s Champ has very strong form but he seems at his best with some rain so watch the weather.
The same is also true of Clever Guy so if the track is wet he needs to be included.
I ride Donny G who is held on form and is also in a strong field.
If the weather remains good, banker Kissable in the Place Accumulator but if it rains include Rebel’s Champ. Exquisite Touch and Clever Guy will also benefit from any rain so if it is on the wet side add them to the Pick 6.
Race 8 is a fillies’ handicap with the first choice being Made In Hollywood. She’s coming off a rest and has been campaigning over further but when she did race over sprints it was against good horses like Dutch Philip and Snowdance. We’re not sure of her fitness so include Three Stars as back up in the PA.
For the Pick 6 consider River Rafting and Shifting Shadows. I ride Winter Watch who is held by Shifting Shadows but I am hoping for some improvement.
Race 9 is another Assessment Plate with the two best-weighted runners also being my selections – Ilha Da Varlette and Heavenly Risk. They should do for the PA but for the Pick 6 consider American Hustle and Scoop.
In Race 10 there are two lightly raced horses in Baron Rodney and Birthday Boy and they should fight it out.