12-race thriller at Turffontein
GOOD BET: WHITE PEARL IN RACE 7 STANDS OUT AS THE BEST BANKER ON THE CARD
ʂ Great performances come out of King’s Plate meeting
We have a cracking 12-race card at Turffontein today which is headlined by the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes as well as two supporting features.
Of course, the three features were meant to be run last Sunday, but we got obliterated by a thunderstorm that washed out the meeting after Race 3.
Well done to 4Racing for rescheduling the feature races as it would be a sad day if we had lost them, so we are looking forward to a lovely day at Turffontein today.
Last Saturday saw the running of the L’Ormarins King’s Plate, and what a beautiful day it turned out to be.
Before I get on to the day, which was truly magnificent, I was unable to ride due to an unfortunate incident that meant I had to be booked off for the day. But I made sure I went to Cape Town and I’m really glad I did because it was really good.
Of course, the king of the day was none other than Charles Dickens, producing one of his greatest wins yet, dominating a high-quality field in scintillating fashion.
That win cemented his place as the best horse in the country and it will be really interesting to see where he goes next, but I truly believe he will keep our flag flying high anywhere in the world.
See It Again ran a lovely race in second and he will be a tough nut to crack in the World Sports Betting Met.
I was also really impressed by the horse I was meant to ride, Royal Aussie, who absolutely flew home from last, and he will be a massive runner at the end of the month.
We also witnessed Beach Bomb win the Paddock Stakes in an absolute thriller, beating Horse-OfThe-Year Princess Calla.
It was a remarkable race and Beach Bomb showed she is an unbelievable filly, backing up her Cape Fillies Guineas win with this Grade 1 triumph.
On that note, well done to Candice Bass-Robinson and Drakenstein Stud for a superb Grade 1 double on a day Gaynor Rupert has put so much into and it couldn’t have happened to a more deserving person.
Most of the horses we witnessed should take their places on Met day and it promises to be one of the best days of the year.
I am truly looking forward to it and I cannot wait to be a part of the day.
Now on to the Turffontein 12race card and Race 1 is a Middle Stakes over 2400m. I think this is a wide-open start to the day with a number of these horses capable of winning on best form.
Rule Book looks the horse to beat after a good last win. He would have gained confidence from that and can definitely follow up.
Absolute Value goes for three in a row and has massive confidence about him. He is a strong front runner and is the main danger.
Positive Attitude ran really well in a feature race last time and a repeat of that will see him go close.
Professor Snape and Namaqua Blossom both gave good each-way claims on their best form.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1160m and I ride Prized Platinum who of the raced runners I think is one of the leading contenders.
His last start was slightly disappointing, but a repeat of his debut run will see him go really close.
Bob ran well last time out and on that run is the main danger. He has the ability to win a race of this nature.
Filly Empress of normandy returns to running up the straight where she produced a career-best effort, and she must be respected.
There are a number of well-bred unraced horses, so watch the betting as this will be the best guide to their chances.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m and I think Great Barrier is the runner to beat.
She was defeated at odds-on last time out when we all thought she would be hard to beat but is now having her third run after a rest and returns to a sprinting trip which should make the difference.
Work Of Time returns after a lengthy break but the form of her first start sets the standard, so watch the betting for a decent guide to her chances.
Dhow Solo is having her third run after a rest and should be cherry ripe for a big effort. She must be respected.
Enchanting Lady is in good form and steps up in trip and will be right there if the distance suits.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and I ride Blue Cloud who ran a belowpar race on debut. I’m hoping the step up in trip will make the difference for her to run a better race.
I think Darling Harbour is the filly we all have to beat. She has improved with every run and her last start was potentially her best. A repeat of that will see her contest the finish.
Regal Daughter ran a lovely race last time but is having her second run after a rest and that’s my only concern.
Villa Semaya ran well last time out and another honest run can be expected.
Kadizora gave me a fair feel last time and she must be included in all bets.
Race 5 is a Maiden Plate over 1600m and I ride Emblem Of War who returns from a short break after having gelded. He is doing well, so I’m expecting a really decent run and make him one of my better rides on the day.
Green Garnet is also returning from a rest after been gelded and if close to peak fitness is the horse we all have to beat.
Policy Of Truth is having his third run after a rest and should be cherry ripe for another bold effort, so he must go into all bets.
I think these three horses should get you through all bets.
Race 6 is the Listed Betway Wolf Power Handicap over 1600m and I ride Unzen who won a lovely race in the WSB Grand Heritage. But he steps up in trip and my only concern is it might be hard off a wide draw because he can take a hold, but I’m hoping for a good run.
Shoemaker is the class horse and although he drops in distance, he is possibly the horse we have to beat.
Silent War was unlucky in the Grand Heritage last time out and he is the main danger.
Another Level is having his third run after a rest and will be cherry ripe so must go into all bets.
Brave Viking was just behind him last time out and although he is drawn wide, he can be included in wider bets.
Race 7 is the Grade 3 Mother Russia Stakes over 1400m and I ride Mary’s Greenlight who won a lovely race last time where she gave me a really nice feel.
Of course, this is a big step up in class and this is her acid test, but I’ll be hoping to finish in the money. However, my best bet on the card comes up in the form of my stable companion, White Pearl.
She is the highest rated and best weighted filly, and this distance won’t be an issue. Off draw No 1 she will get the run of the race, and I think she could be a banker in all bets.
Let’s Go Now is in good form and rates the main danger.
Lady Fallon won a lovely race last time out and looks well above average so can be included into wider bets.
Garlandsofgreenery was disappointing when running fourth last time, but she is highly thought of. She steps up in trip and has a good draw, so is also one to consider for wider bets.
Mia Moo won her maiden with consummate ease and could be anything, and even though she is out at the weights on ratings, she is also one to include in larger bets.
Race 8 is the Grade 3 Betway Got The Greenlight Stakes over 1400m and I ride talented Champagne Cocktail who looks extremely special and could potentially be the best three-year-old filly around.
She drops in trip which is my only concern, and this looks like a step into the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas next month.
I still believe she is the filly to beat and although this is by far her toughest test, I’m hoping her class can pull her through.
Main Defender is the class horse and his last two wins have been phenomenal. He is my main danger and another massive run can be expected.
Gimmeanotherchance returns from a rest and has been gelded and I’m sure there will be a massive amount of improvement from that.
This also looks like a step into the WSB Gauteng Guineas, but he is really a top horse and must go into one’s bets.
The Africa House was disappointing last time out but ran well previous to that and should make up Quartets.
Race 9 is a Pinnacle Stakes for fillies and mares over 1400m and I ride Good Queen Bess. Her last two starts have been disappointing so she’ll have to get back to her best form to feature, even though we come in with a really handy weight.
Captain Peg is probably the one to beat as she generally competes over this trip. She is fit and well and off a good draw, she is going to be right there.
Bless My Stars is the class horse and although she drops in trip and has to give loads of weight away, she will be right there and must be included in all bets.
Juliet Tango won a really good race in the War Of Athena Handicap a few weeks back, and on that performance, she’s one that must be included in all bets.
Race 10 is a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and I ride Spring In Heaven who steps back up in trip. This is really positive because on the two occasions she has gone beyond 1600m, she’s won.
She comes in with bottom weight and gets No 2 draw, so I’ll be expecting a massive run.
Poorlittlerichgirl was disappointing in her last start but that was her second run after a rest and on her penultimate effort is a definite danger.
Say Yes drops in class and gets the benefit of draw No 1 and although she has to give weight away, she needs to be included in all bets.
Red Maple and Damostar (returning from a small break) are others to consider.
Race 11 is a MR 74 Handicap over 2000m and I think Fushimi Inari will take all the beating and is one of the better bets on the card.
He will love stepping up in trip and is in good form, so I think he is a banker in all bets.
Romeo’s Magic is in good form and has the benefit of No 1 draw, so he is the definite danger.
Nothingelsematters was disappointing last time but on his best form can definitely feature.
Race 12 is a MR 72 Handicap over 1160m and I ride Duke Of Rock who is my value bet on the card and one of my better rides as well.
I believe has the best form of his rivals and can definitely win a race of this nature.
Fulliautomatix goes for three in a row but drops in trip and that’s my biggest concern.
Twice As Wild is in good form and rates a definite runner.
All of Arilena, Max The Otter and Jet Cat can be included in wider bets
BEST BET
Race 7 No 1 White Pearl
VALUE BET
Race 12 No 4 Duke Of Rock
PICK 6
R972
Leg 1: 3, 6, 7, 9
Leg 2: 2, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 Leg 4: 1
Leg 5: 1, 2, 9
Leg 6: 1, 2, 4