Saturday’s bumper feature filled Turffontein meeting more than lived up to the expectations with a thrill a minute and some great performances on the track.
Of particular excitement for the Hollywood Team was the gutsy showing of our own Seattle Force who was beaten just a length in the Listed Derby Trial.
This was his first run for Stuart Pettigrew following a six-week break after the Cape Derby and he showed courage by plugging away late in the race. He is likely to go for the SA Derby next – a big task against the power guns, but plenty of the fun of this great game is about dreaming the dream!
There is plenty of anticipation as Cheltenham gets underway on Tuesday – read all about that here!
This coming weekend sees the Gr2 Senor Santa Stakes, run in honour of one of our champion speedsters of yesteryear, headlining the Turffontein Saturday card, but the midweek action is of immediate priority and we launch at Flamingo Park today with the first off at 12h20.
The best bet on the card and a likely Pick 6 banker in the fourth race is the Tienie Prinsloo trained SPACE INVADER. It is probably not textbook punting to be relying too much on a 6yo maiden, but the son of Miesque’s Approval bumps a really ordinary lot and he could find the right path today.
The Hollywood Syndicate’s HONEST PRINCE runs in the ninth where he has his second start in the Northern Cape. The pace should once again be on and we are looking to him running on late – see the comments below.
We are at the Vaal for eight races on Tuesday and the Oratorio filly VARQUERA presents an opportunity for a winning start. She runs in a Workriders Maiden Plate and after her impressive course and distance debut at end of January, looks the standout.
The Hollywood Syndicate’s SETABLAZE runs in the second and is clearly knocking on the door. This could be his day – read more in the comments below!
Alec Laird’s progressive Trippi gelding RAGOON is on a hat-trick when he contests the fifth race. While he faces some decent handicappers, including the very capable NORDIC REBEL, we are siding with him making it three on the trot in the hands of Raymond Danielson.
The regular midweek slot sees us doing battle on the Greyville Polytrack on Wednesday, where eight races are rostered.
The old adage that the Joburg form will inevitably be a few lengths stronger than the coastal form may apply as a confidence booster in the first, where Weiho Marwing travels with the consistent eight-times raced maiden COMET CRYSTAL. The daughter of Rock Of Rochelle is overdue but pulled up lame at her latest start last month – a minor warning sign?
The Hollywood Syndicate’s WHITE CEDAR runs in the second race and is certainly going the right way. He put in his best performance over the course and distance in his latest effort. The winner of that race has since won again and that clearly strengthens the formline. See the comments below.
A nice nine-race programme ends the midweek action at the Vaal on Thursday and the Hollywood Syndicate’s SYX SHOOTER is expected to improve on his debut as a fitter horse here. He showed good pace there and if he has trimmed down, can run into the quartets.
Gavin Lerena has been in red-hot form of late and he looks for a double on the smart Australian bred MANHATTAN COCKTAIL, who runs in the eighth. The son of Manhattan Rain won going away over the Turffontein 1400m last month and could set up the kitty for a nice weekend!
Enjoy the racing – it’s a busy week with plenty of local action and then the Cheltenham spectacle – don’t forget to read Neil Morrice’s excellent previews into the festival and also the balance of his UK and Irish analysis.
Read More Here:
Day 1 Preview
Supreme Novices Hurdle
Arkle Challenge Trophy
Till next time, keep the winners rolling!
