King to knock them cold BEST BET:
CONDITIONS SUIT QUANTUM KING IN RACE 8 Talented young horses in action at Turffontein.
There are no feature races carded for today at Turffontein but the headliner is Race 5, a MR 104 Handicap over 1600m on the Inside track. There are some decent sorts lining up and they include KZN raider Matterhorn. One can assume this is a build-up to the Summer Cup, so one must watch this race closely.
This is backed up by a couple of Graduation Plates and these generally favour the best-rated horses. Hopefully it will be straightforward, but there are some lovely young horses taking their places.
I have eight rides, some with very decent chances. But it’s very competitive and I’ll be happy to get a few on the board.
Race 1 is a Maiden Plate over 1450m and I ride Another Level who ran a lovely race on debut and with expected improvement rates a main contender. He gave me a decent feel and off a good draw is one for the shortlist.
My main danger looks to be General Hancock. He has been gelded after a fair run, is drawn in pole position. Lion Of The Desert and Alabaster must also be respected.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m and I ride Verolina who is due to win. She gave me a decent feel last time, even though the race didn’t plan out as expected.
She will definitely enjoy the step
up in trip and is a major contender.
Our main danger is Juliet Tango who has some lovely form. She is back in a maiden and if close to peak fitness, will be right there. Amicus Curiae is another to consider after a good first run.
Race 3 is Graduation Plate over 1200m and I ride up-and-coming three-year-old Team Gold who is the best weighted horse. On that alone he is the one to beat. I feel he will prefer 1200m at this stage and I’m expecting a massive run.
There wasn’t much between Ultra Quick and Tuscan Winter last time and I’m sure there won’t be much between them again. On that I would rate them as my main dangers.
These three horses should get you through all bets.
Race 4 is a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1200m. This is a small but competitive field so go as wide as possible.
I ride Milan’s Princess who ran a very good race last time. She is honest and I’m expecting her to be right there.
My first selection is Remember When who looks well above average. She contested a Graded race last time and ran a blinder, so she
sets the standard.
All of Freed From Desire, Warship and Run April Run must be included.
Race 5 is a MR 104 Handicap over 1600m and I ride Stone Cold, who comes in with a very handy weight. He is drawn well and will prefer this distance.
I make him the horse to beat and he is my value bet on the card.
Indlamu looks my main danger and must be included in all bets, while Green Haze and Kingsley’s Heart are others to consider.
Matterhorn and Dr Doolittle have the class to win, but this is the start of their campaign towards the Summer Cup and 1600m could be their undoing. If you go wide, include them.
Race 6 is a MR 70 Handicap over 1500m and I ride Master Of Law who won impressively last time. This is a step up in class but I’m expecting another decent run.
City By The Sea sets the standard and off a good draw will take all the beating. Florida Keys rates a danger while include Noble Striker in wider bets.
Race 7 is a MR 94 Handicap over 1200m and I ride promising Super Excited who won a lovely race last time. While this is a major step up in class, he has the ability to win.
Prince Of Fire is another with serious ability and off bottom weight and No 1 draw, must be the main danger.
Sea Virescent and Bowie are among the older brigade who have decent chances, but I feel the younger horses will prove too good.
Race 8 is a MR 77 Handicap over 1200m and I ride Procrastinator who comes off a lengthy rest and will need the run.
However, my best bet is Quantum King. He comes back to his winning distance and wasn’t disgraced in a Grade 1 last time. He looks well handicapped and has a good draw.
Super Agra is in good form and must be respected while Bronco Blitz is an outsider worth including in larger bets.
Race 9 is a very competitive MR 66 Handicap over 1200m so go as wide as the budget allows. Love Lies has a big chance with a 4kg claiming apprentice up, so I make him the horse to beat.
Informative and Voltron have chances on best form while Father Time won a good race last week and could back it up. Life Goes On must also be included.
BEST BET
Race 8 No 2 Quantum King VALUE BET
Race 5 No 10 Stone Cold
PICK 6
R480
Leg 1: 1, 4, 6
Leg 2: 5, 10
Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 7
Leg 4: 6, 8
Leg 5: 2
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10