Muzi’s hot racing tips
PATRONAGE: PRINCESS CHARLENE ENSURES IT WILL BE A MEETING TO TREASURE Quest From Afar looks the standout bet at Turffontein.
It is time for the Royal Race Day at Turffontein today and topping the card is the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m. We are all extremely grateful to Princess Charlene for her patronage.
There is a 10-race card to preview and once again, we race on the Standside track. I have nine rides, which is always great because if you don’t have a ticket, you don’t have a chance.
Before we get to that, I would like to make mention that our value bet in last week’s column, Ululate, came home. She was priced up at around 12-1 so hopefully that helped everyone end the day with a flourish.
Race 1 is a Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1160m, and I ride Cavalier King, who has shown some nice work but will definitely be better with the run under his belt.
It is essential to take note of any betting support for the unraced runners but of those who have run, Bronco Blitz sets the standard. He ran really well on debut and the apprentice allowance is a plus.
Letsdoit is the immediate danger and must be respected while Partner In Crime is another to add in.
Race 2 is a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m and I ride Shield Of Roses who falls into the same category as the runner in Race 1. She has shown nice ability and will definitely improve with the experience.
Again, the betting is of the utmost importance for the unraced runners.
Of the raced horses Quest From Afar is definitely the horse to beat. She was extremely green on debut and natural improvement is expected to make her hard to beat, and so I have made it my best bet on the card.
Meteoric and Canary Walk are the main dangers.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate over 1160m and I ride Eyes On Tiger who is ultra-consistent and could shed his maiden tag any time now. This is an open contest, but he is definitely a player.
Katzenthal has blinkers fitted and is still unexposed so could rate my main danger while Lazy Guy and Blizzard Ahead are others who will be right there.
Once again, watch any market support for the unraced horses again.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m and I ride Lady Of The Flame. She has been running fairly well and another honest run is expected.
We would be happy for another good outing, but she will have to raise her game to win.
Good Queen Bess is extremely well bred and if she has above average ability, she will take all the beating.
Dragon Queen, Talladega and Major Coup are the immediate dangers.
Race 5 is a MR 88 Handicap over 1000m and I ride Big Blue Marble, who on best form could feature. But he has not been running to his ability of late and would need to return to it to be in the shake-up.
However, my value bet for the meeting is South East. He is having his second run after gelding, but what interests me is the 4kg apprentice allowance coming off his back. He is a horse with loads of ability and this seems like a drop in class for him.
His stable companions, Godswood and Kwite A Trip, must be respected and included in all bets.
Race 6 is a MR 104 Handicap over 1000m and I ride ultra-speedy Valyrian King. Although he was extremely disappointing last time, I am expecting a far better run this time.
This is a competitive field, but I expect him to be in the finish.
Bold Ransom, though, will be the horse to beat. His last two starts have been outstanding and the 4kg off his back makes him hard to oppose.
Garden Party came back to best last time and with a light weight of 50.5kg is the immediate danger.
Others to consider and add in should you want to go wider are Mardi Gras, Oravar and Old Man Tyme.
Race 7 is the Grade 1 HSH Princess Charlene Empress Club Stakes over 1600m and I ride consistent and high-quality filly Running Brave who needed her run last time after the trip to Cape Town.
She is a filly who always gives of her best and I’m expecting her to contest the finish. However, we all have superstar Summer Pudding to beat. On ratings she is 5kg better off than her nearest rival, who happens to be Running Brave.
I do not see the drop in trip causing too many concerns and off a good draw she will take all the beating.
Seehaam could not have been more impressive in her last win and even though she has a bit to find on ratings she has to be considered a danger.
Kelpie and Lady Of Steel are others to take into account should you want to go wide.
Race 8 is a MR 104 Handicap over 1400m and it is an open contest. I would advise going as wide as possible but for those who want to narrow it down, I would focus on my first selection Approach Control, Rock The Globe and Down To Zero.
These horses should get you through, but as mentioned go as wide as the budget will allow.
Race 9 is a MR 78 Handicap for fillies and mares. I ride The Fifth Wave who could place if she produces her best form, but we all have Say When to beat. This filly is still unexposed and off draw No 1 should take all the beating.
Bella Rosa, Bebop and Phoenix are the immediate dangers, but will all have to raise their games to beat my first selection.
Race 10 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m and I ride Space Oddity, who ran well on debut and then slightly disappointed next time.
She has the blinkers fitted and I am hoping she can be in the money. But I make this a race between three horses, namely and in order of preference, Last Song, Just Judy and Dynamic Lass.
All these fillies will appreciate the bend and the step up in trip so they should get you through all bets.
BEST BET
Race 2 No 11 Quest From Afar VALUE BET
Race 5 No 1 South East
PICK 6
R1620
Leg 1: 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 12
Leg 2: 1, 4, 5
Leg 3: 1, 3, 9
Leg 4: 1, 2, 8
Leg 5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Leg 6: 2