Muzi Yeni writes for us
FILLIES MILE: MUZI DELIGHTED WITH HIS RIDE, KAYLA’S CHAMP, IN GRADE 3 RACE
Tarry and Strydom look the combination to follow.
With just a week to one of Gauteng's biggest race days, which features the R2-million Chris Gerber Gauteng Summer Cup, the industry is abuzz with excitement, which was witnessed at last Wednesday’s draw.
There's one last meeting at Turffontein before the big day, and the Standside course will be used for a solitary race, The Citizen Fillies Mile, which has attracted a smart field of 13. I've managed to secure a smart ride on Kayla's Champ, who ran on smartly for third in the Starling Stakes, thanks to trainer Paul Matchett and owner Fanie Bronkhorst, and my filly has cracked pole position, which is a real plus.
Trainer Sean Tarry is well represented with his quartet of runners and my strong preference is for Piere Strydom's ride, Sidonie, who I expect to dictate. She is smart and had an excuse last time, but 1600m will suit the daughter of Dynasty. Stablemate Spiritofthegroove has shown top credentials with her explosive bursts and though she deserves respect, I do feel she will find it much tougher now and may struggle to maintain the form of her penultimate run where she beat Sidonie by 0.75 lengths.
The Mike de Kock duo of Gin Fizz and Tallinn have also displayed high quality during their short careers, the latter's last run in the Graham Beck must be totally ignored because she was taken out by the riderless horse. She is preferred of the pair because of the huge reservation about the distance for her stablemate.
Shivers made eye-catching late headway to finish just under two lengths behind my ride and she is clearly better over 1600m although she seems to require an unlikely strong tempo. There are some talented lightly raced sorts who understandably take a steep rise in class but deserve respect, and my preference is for Smiley River ahead of Marygold and Summer Pudding. I was blown away by Smiley River's maiden triumph over 2000m and she is my early Oaks fancy.
I expect a steady tempo to be set by Sidonie, who is my first selection ahead of my ride, Kayla's Champ, with Smiley River raising eyebrows with her decent turn of foot in third.
The rest of the card will be run on the Inside track and the standout bet on the card is another Tarry inmate, Saints Alive in Race 4, who will also be partnered by Striker. She finished just over two lengths behind subsequent Yellowwood Handicap winner and Summer Cup hopeful Queen Supreme, as well as a head adrift of her subsequent winning stablemate, Aurelia Cotta (2.5kg worse off) over the course and distance last month. I expect her to dictate in this small field and she is worth a serious bet.
My ride, Abelie, disappointed in her last two runs but she had solid earlier form and led throughout to win a good race over this track and trip in September. She can earn minor money.
My value bet comes up in Race 2. Guadeloupe caught my eye with a late burst in her first local start. In fact, she finished 0.75 lengths behind my ride, Tulip Way, who won on Tuesday. This 1600m will suit her perfectly.
My ride, Get Set, can build on her fair last comeback run and fifth-placed entrant Smiley River has won since, but a placing is more realistic. Midnight Top and Lucky Shamrock are immediate threats to Guadeloupe.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate over 1450m and African Darter represents arguably the strongest form line after his improved last run over 1600m on this track. His conqueror, Oyster King, went down narrowly on his handicap debut subsequently. Akwaan will be all the rage after his solid comeback run and though the distance and a good draw are obvious positives, I do feel he will prefer a galloping track. Curious should build on his fair debut behind subsequent winner Al Borak while my ride, Semper Fi, returns to the venue where he posted a career-best effort. He is definitely worth including in Trifectas and Quartets.
Go each-way on African Darter. Race 3 is a highly competitive Maiden Plate over 1600m and this form line could be worth following. Corvette Captain, half-brother to French Navy, was nearly three lengths clear of the third-placed runner when caught late on his sprint debut. Earth Shaker takes on stronger but there was merit in his career-best recent course and distance effort when he was drawn wide.
River Jordan had a cracking comeback run at the Vaal nine days ago but the concern is whether this race comes too soon. That isn't the case with a fit Flycatcher who improved nicely to finish just over one length behind River Jordan in only his second Highveld start.
Lynty's Legacy also had a smart comeback run after a long absence and he should enjoy this 1600m. My ride, Sniper Fire, has been disappointing but returns as a gelding and is worth including in Trifectas and Quartets.
Go each-way on Corvette Captain.
Race 5 is an open MR 72 Handicap over 1800m and the older runners may have the edge. I liked Rockstar Child's last effort in stronger company and he can upset over the extra 200m. Threeyear-old Date Palm showed great character when he fought back to win his maiden last time and he will love this distance.
Duology, Hawthorn and Grindelwald are best of the rest. My ride, In For A Penny, has moderate postmaiden form but his yard has come well at the right moment.
Have an each-way bet on Rockstar Child and take boxed Swingers with the other four.
In Race 6, a MR 95 Handicap over 1800m, I expect Skiminac to notch up a deserved hat-trick. He looks to be ahead of the handicapper after his easy last win. Owlinthetree is way better than his disappointing last run but he drops in class.
Apache Too had a solid comeback run on Tuesday and the ultraconsistent gelding will be a threat if he takes his place.
Have a good bet on Skiminac. Race 7 is a MR 80 Handicap over 1000m where an upset is likely. My ride, Boatswain, continues to disappoint but he has dropped further in the ratings and the yard ended a winless spell on Tuesday. Marco van Rensburg would have learnt plenty about his ride, King Of The Delta, from his last experience and I expect the pair to go well despite the wide draw.
Tokolosh's cracking penultimate run over this course and distance behind subsequent winner True Charm brings him into the equation. Starflash will be doing his best work late along with Bridge Of Spies.
Box the five horses in Swingers. In Race 8, a FM 76 Handicap over 1200m, I expect three-year-old The Fifth Wave to go really well off her decreased rating. She raced wide in a much stronger field over the course and distance last time.
Chouette is the immediate danger on the back of some solid recent form while In Full Bloom showed an impressive turn of foot in her latest victory, although she takes on stronger rivals this time. Wings Of Honor drops in class and is definitely worth including.
Go each-way on The Fifth Wave and box Swingers with the other three.
Suggested Pick 6 (R1,764): 6 x 3, 5, 7, 11, 12, 13, 15 x 2, 4, 6 x 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10 x 1, 3, 6, 8 x 3, 6, 13