Muzi Yeni writes for us
FUTURE: MANY COMING BACK FROM A REST, PREPARING FOR UPCOMING FEATURES
Decent rides have made Muzi optimistic for a few winners.
With the Standside track at Turffontein out of action for the early part of spring, today's racing action is once again on the Inside course, which played particularly quick on Tuesday. A nine-race programme has been scheduled with the topliner being a highly competitive Pinnacle Stakes event over 1800m.
One normally relies on merit ratings to indicate likely winners but that might not be the case in Race 6 today.
I have some promising rides on the day and I’m hopeful for a good meeting.
Race 1 is a Workriders’ Maiden Plate 1200m, an intriguing opening event where the red-hot Paul Peter stable once again holds the key. Bold Ransom has experience and he ran well in two competitive fields on the Standside course.
His stablemate, Golden Duke, is the half-brother to Grade 1 winner Chimichuri Run and is drawn best of all. I've gotten to know the usually consistent Orchid Street well in recent times and from a better draw today, he has a shout. He also faced a strong field last time out.
Silver Stone may be better without blinkers but is capable of a Quartet spot. Watch the betting on the unraced Mike de Kock entrant Wallaa who is an Australian import.
The Swinger of Orchid Street and Bold Ransom deserves a solid punt.
Race 2 is a FM 84 Handicap over 2000m and with just five runners now that Thursday’s winner, Jacko Boy, has been scratched, a lack of pace is a reality.
Circle Of Latitude made eyecatching late headway from a bad draw when finishing close up behind Pilgrim's Progress (1kg worse off) recently. She will enjoy the extra 200m and is capable with handy tactics.
Spring Poetry is another who will benefit from a sedate gallop. She was only a short head behind Circle Of Latitude in the above mentioned race.
My ride, Illuminate, disappointed at the Vaal last time but had a creditable penultimate run behind Pilgrim's Progress whom she meets on 3kg better terms today.
Include Circle Of Latitude, Illuminate and Pilgrim's Progress for BiPots.
In Race 3, a Maiden Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1450m, Flower Season is the clear first pick of the raced runners after her encouraging sprint debut behind what I believe is an above average sort in Black Ferrari (runs in Race 8).
Keep a close eye on any betting moves for unraced Sean Tarry entrant Sidonie, who is related to some useful sorts, including Pilou and Viva Maria. She is drawn in pole position. My ride, Anydreamwilldo, is the full sister to Changing Seasons and if not too green she could run into the money. Ginseng is a likely improver after her moderate sprint debut in mixed company behind unbeaten subsequent winner Tallinn.
Go with Flower Season and Sidonie for the BiPot and Place Accumulator.
Race 4 is a Graduation Plate over 1600m. I know the quality, but injury-plagued, filly Green Top well from her Guineas and Classic days. Her conditioner, Alec Laird, knows how to bring them back well and she is easily best weighted in her first run this year. She is the one to beat.
Queen Supreme is still developing her rating and she will relish the mile. Cordillera is best of the rest on her seasonal debut.
Take an each-way bet on Green Top but include Queen Supreme in the PA and Pick 6.
Race 5 is a FM 94 Handicap over 1600m where I ride Abelie for the in-form David Niewenhuizen yard which holds a strong hand in this race. Abelie has narrowly had the better of stablemate My Dream Chaser in recent times and the weights favour her again. She will enjoy the likely decent tempo. Saints Alive will be fitter today and she reunites with Striker Strydom.
Have an each-way bet on Abelie and you can banker her in the PA but include Saints Alive and My Dream Chaser into the Pick 6.
Race 6 is Pinnacle Stakes over 1800m but merit ratings may not necessarily be the best guide as many entrants are preparing for a long feature season. That said, Puget Sound has had a decent prep and is narrowly selected although he prefers 1600m. Roll Of Drums is unfavourably weighted but also has his peak outing and merits inclusion along with Shenanigans and Sunshine Silk.
My ride, Seville Orange, showed her staying prowess with victory in the KZN Oaks in June but she will be severely tested against male rivals today.
Go wide in PA and Pick 6. Include Puget Sound, Roll Of Drums and Sunshine Silk in PA but add in Shenanigans and Master Magic into the Pick 6.
Race 7, a FM 76 Handicap over 1000m, is another competitive handicap but I managed to secure the ride on hat-trick seeking Before The Dawn. She has certainly improved with blinkers.
Cattitude may have only won a workriders’ event on debut but the runner-up, Clock Stopper, has won since and this filly's time was only 0.3 seconds slower than Mount Keith (runs in Race 9) who ran a mere 35 minutes later. The pick of the older guard is Three Stars and well-drawn Arikel whose merit rating continues to drop.
Put Before The Dawn and Cattitude into the PA but add Three Stars and Arikel into the Pick 6.
My top bet for the day comes up in Race 8, a FM 68 Handicap 1200m. Coincidentally, it is my ride Black Ferrari, who gave me a great feel when she fought back to win her maiden at the second time of asking.
Her No 2 draw on this suitable track gives her the slight edge over the smart Mount Laurel, who is the obvious danger. She impressed with a powerful finish to win on debut over 1000m and will enjoy the extra 200m. That said, she will be severely tested from her wide draw.
Seneca Falls’ only career win came over this course and distance and she hasn't fared badly since.
Banker Black Ferrari in all bets.
We end the day with a MR 80 Handicap over 1200m. The older rivals are favourably weighted in Race 9. Captain's Alpha meets recent conqueror The Sands on 2.5kg better terms for a twolength beating and should be a different proposition on his most successful track.
Mount Keith had an eye-catching last win and also likes this course, while fluent recent maiden winner Succession has obvious scope for improvement on his handicap debut.
Captain's Alpha and Mount Keith should get you through the Place Accumulator but include Succession in the Pick 6.