Muzi Yeni writes for us
BANKER: THE BOSBOK LOOKS TO BE THE STANDOUT BET ON TURFFONTEIN CARD
Best value could lie with Wishonaire in Race 8.
The first few days of this new season began slowly for me but normal proceedings resumed when I won six races from Sunday to Wednesday and that set me firmly on my way for the new campaign. There are a couple of testing inquiries that could hamper my progress but I am champing at the bit after my fantastic exploits of last season.
We race at Turffontein on the Standside track today and kick off with a Maiden Plate over 1160m. Stone Judgement was unfancied last time but ran on strongly to make a promising debut in a quality field over this course and distance. I won that race aboard Informative and the form line is worth following.
Rainbow Haze is well-bred and twice found betting support over the minimum trip. She could certainly improve over the extra. I ride first-timer Fireworks for Alec Laird. She’s a small filly with a lovely action, very well bred and has been putting up good work at home. She should run well if not green. Majestic Thunder is a Mike de Kocktrained
newcomer but I think the runners with experience will have the edge in this race.
Race 2 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1000m and the field has been reduced to just four with the scratching of Talktothestars and Queen Of War.
My ride, Dalai’s Promise, disappointed on the Greyville Polytrack but she didn’t jump as well as usual and she doesn’t run as well when she can’t get her own way. I give her a big chance but I do have high respect for Prince Of Kahal. The top weight drops significantly in class and I know him really well. He enjoys this trip and deserves huge respect.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate over 2000m and Gold Griffin is the obvious form choice. But there may be some cheek from Maroon Bells, who I expect to be fitter, and the Joe Soma yard has found some good form.
Final Occasion is held by Gold Griffin on the run behind Meeraas but should earn a minor cheque. My ride, In For A Penny, was due to run at the Vaal on Thursday but the race was cancelled. He must have a place chance.
For the Place Accumulator go with Maroon Bells and Gold Griffin.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 2000m and Perfect Light should build on her cracking debut over 200m shorter on this course two weeks ago when narrowly beaten. She found outside betting support and deserves respect.
I like the chances of Chica D’ Oro, who I ride. She put up good work the other day and will be suited to 2000m. She has strengthened up and come on nicely since her last start.
Therecanbeonlyone has shown fair potential and may relish this step-up in trip for Sean Tarry, while Arabian Sunrise was close-up behind the top selection recently although she is having her 14th maiden start.
The improver could be Floribunda who tries this distance for the first time. Building Bridges is another capable sort who will be very fit.
For the PA go with Perfect Light, Chica D’ Oro and Arabian Sunrise but add Therecanbeonlyone and Building Bridges into the Pick 6.
Race 5 is a MR 68 Handicap over 2000m and I feel the Gary Alexander yard hold a strong hand in this contest where The Bosbok (stable elect) is the one to beat. He was easily beaten into second last time but was in turn five lengths clear of the nextplaced runner, French Leave, who was just touched off next time out. His stablemates, Kamakura and Revelation should contest the runner-up berth. The latter’s recent formline was boosted when I won on thirdplaced finisher Jacko Boy on Tuesday.
Banker The Bosbok in all bets Race 6 is a Pinnacle Stakes over 1400m and I like the chances of my ride, Flying Winger. He had a cracking comeback sprint and has decent quality about him. Soldier On has remained consistent and will greatly benefit from the 1.5kg apprentice allowance. He has only been defeated once in three course-anddistance runs and gets the nod in this competitive contest.
The short rest would have helped Wonderwall after his below-par last run. Puget Sound will have his fitness tested but is a smart type with solid form.
Go with Flying Winger and Soldier On for the PA but add Wonderwall and Puget Sound into the Pick 6.
Race 7 is a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m. This is a tricky sixhorse field but Eurostorm represents the Corrido form line (watch Revelation in Race 5) and Deon Sampson knows him well. I expect further improvement from Grindelwald. African Rock may dictate terms to good effect in this small field.
Banker Eurostorm in the PA but with the scratching of African Adventure, put the field of five horses into the Pick 6.
Race 8 a is Maiden Handicap over 1600m and I think Cotopaxi has much going for her after her gutsy last performance, despite racing wide. She should easily cope with 1600m. She also gets a 4kg claim, with apprentice Jeffery Syster up.
Hightail relished the 1400m when she showed huge improvement in her comeback run two weeks ago. She should also prefer this distance and is a threat. I have found a ‘lurker’ in the form of Full Force who, although comfortably beaten by Cotopaxi last time, is now 3.5kg better off in her first attempt over this trip.
I ride Wishonaire who will like the long straight and has finally got a decent draw. She has been plagued with bad draws and has been crying out for the Standside track. She has gradually improved and is worth including.
Go with Cotopaxi, Hightail and Wishonaire for the PA but add Full Force into the Pick 6.
Race 9 is an MR 76 Handicap over 1600m. It looks a tough final handicap but Movie Award had a creditable last run in decent company and it seems Ryan Munger preferred her to Piccadilly Square.
Watch for an improved run from Tombola who will enjoy this distance after she failed on her local debut over a sprint at the Vaal on Tuesday.
My ride, Empress Rock, will prefer this distance and she has a definite shout but she is more of a Trifecta and Quartet inclusion.
For the PA go with Movie Award, Empress Rock and Tombola and add Piccadilly Square into the Pick 6.