Punters can get stuck in
THE Turffontein meeting on Sunday has a few good opportunities for punters and the first of them appears in race one with the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Netflix, who faces a weak field in a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1600m.
The Tiger Ridge gelding caught the eye when running onfrom way back over 1600m in his penultimate start. Next time out he was terribly unlucky when taken out at the top of the straight, so the bare form there can be taken with a pinch of salt as he might have even won that race instead of finishing a ten length third. The main danger will be Champagne Haze, a Kahal colt who is a half-brother to the top class Pierre Jourdan. He stayed on well on debut after being dropped out from a wide draw over the Inside track 1200m and is likely to be favourite, because there will be natural improvement and he will relish the step up in trip. Furthermore, he is now well drawn and Andrew Fortune has been in fine form for the Gary Alexander yard.
Bajan Fantasy looks to be a good bet in race two, a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1600m for fillies. This Mullins Bay filly had to be snatched up when baulked near the line after running on strongly from last over 1200m on the Inside Track on debut, having been dropped out from a wide draw. She will relish the step up in trip and on the evidence of that last race should easily reverse form with Eye The Countess, especially as she represents the Alexander/Fortune combination from a plum draw of three. Rock Of Laudium is the danger. She over raced slightly when a close second over course and distance last time out from a tough draw of nine, but she now has an even wider draw to overcome.
Jin-Go-La-Ba
The third is a maiden over 1450m and the one to beat will be Jin-Go-La-Ba. He over-raced over 1600m last time out at the Vaal so will relish the step down in trip and Piere Strydom is likely to take advantage of pole position draw. La Digue is the danger on form but has a wide draw to overcome. The Alexander/Fortune combination are represented by an interesting first-timer, Dahlia's Guest, who is by A P Arrow and is a half-brother to three-time winner Mr Mulliner and other multiple winners.
The frustrating Badger's Belle is a must for the PA in race four, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m. However, she puts on the brakes and looks for company as soon as she hits the front so is hard to win with, although this is an ideal course and distance and she has a plum draw of three. The two-year-old Sheik’s Diamond looks to be a better one to side with for a win, having been unlucky when a narrow third last time over 1600mand now well drawn again. Secret Angel is an improving sort and Fortune is an interesting booking, while Bubba's Doll, Suzie Wong, Global Spin and Beautiful Floutist could also be considered for the Pick 6 and Jackpot.
The fifth is the highest rated race on the card, a fillies and mares MR 91 Handicap over 1800m, and Pennington Sands might be the one to side with. She scrapes into the handicap with bottom weight and bounced back to form last time when running on well over 1600m. However, the wide draw is a bit of a concern.
Erin
Erin has a touch of class and loves this course and distance, so will be right there with Weichong Marwing up. Dream Galaxy is an improving sort who should love this trip too and she is drawn three with Strydom up, while Educated and Tiger Flame can't be written off either.
The sixth is a MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. Prescient could cause a surprise if repeating her last run, especially if jumping better than she did there, as she will appreciate the step up in trip. Panchatanta and Stirling Leaves make most appeal of the others.
The seventh is a MR 80 Handicap over 1450m and Gambol is the selection. He showed signs of a return to form last time and from a good draw the course and distance should be suitable for his front-running style. Pivotal Pursuit and Platinum Jet make most appeal of the rest.
The last is a Maiden Plate over 1450m. The two-year-old Gentleman Only could be the one to beat because his best run was over this distance and he has Strydom up. Sands Of Time pulled up lame last time when failing as odds on favourite, but if back to his best he should be right there.