Best Bet: BETTER JUDGEMENT (Race 9)
Value Bet: DEVIL’S INN (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 6 – 9)
1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th |
4 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
1 | 11 | 2 | 3 |
3 | 2 | 10 | |
Cost: R54.00
Race 6
OCTOBER REVOLUTION goes for his hat-trick after victories over six furlongs and the latest over five furlongs by 0.8L, where he finished powerfully from some way back. He gets a handy draw two and the trio is very much on the cards.
SHIKANIC has cracked pole position and is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over five furlongs, just a head back from the winner, when returning from a 19-week break. The gelding lost a length at the start, but made good late progress over the closing stages and he should be right up there when they hit the line.
OUTREACH TO HENRY tried to go from jump to wire when ending up in tenth place last time out over six furlongs, just under three and a half lengths back from the victor, but that was at a stronger centre. From gate six, he is likely to attempt similar tactics today and could prove difficult to overhaul in the dash down to the wire.
Race 7
GULF OF TOMINI has consistent formlines to his name and came four wide approaching the home turn, but stayed on well to end up in third place in his latest outing over 1500M, just a length off the winner. He faces a wide draw thirteen, but he has his peak run after returning from a 17-week break and he should be doing her best work late.
WANNAWINWIN is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys, but raced three wide throughout and was hampered in the latter stages when finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, 1.8L behind the winner. The form of that race has been franked and whilst having to negotiate a wide draw nine, she should not be easily overlooked.
SURF SONIC had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing last time out when finishing fifth over a mile, 4.2L adrift of the victor, but it should be noted that he raced three wide that day, before staying on well. The gelding is drawn in gate seven and should be included in all bets.
Race 8
The day’s value bet, DEVIL’S INN jumped awkwardly and overraced in the early stages but still managed to stay on well to put three lengths between himself and the opposition to win his last start over six furlongs. He has a useful gate three and will have 1.5kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice.
OAKFIELD MAHOGANY is drawn one outside the top choice and showed plenty of toe when finishing fourth last time out over six furlongs, 2.8L back from the winner. The gelding returns from an 18-week break, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the latest.
TEQUILA CABOS is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she attracted plenty of betting support when finishing a short-head second last time out over six furlongs, just failing to run down the leaders in the shadow of the post. She is sure to put her pole position to good use and will be hoping to make amends today.
Race 9
Two 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s best bet, BETTER JUDGEMENT is taken to lead the field home. She won over this sprint trip three runs back, finished fourth in her penultimate start over six furlongs and then second last time out over 1100M, just a neck behind the winner and the form of that race has stood up well with three runners out of that contest subsequently winning. She has her first run since an 18-week rest, but has had the benefit of two barrier trials. The filly jumps from gate seven but should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy and is made the best bet on the day’s program.
CAVENTE also won over this trip three runs back, then finished third in her penultimate outing over five furlongs and finally, sixth last time out over five furlongs, just under three and a half lengths back from the winner, when returning from a 14-week absence, but she was crowded at the 200M pole on that occasion. She is drawn one outside the top pick and could be her biggest danger.
TRUMPSTER overraced in the middle stages and had to be steadied off the heels of another runner at the 600m mark, before hanging out in the home straight when finishing fifth last time out over five furlongs, 3.7L behind the winner, so he had his excuses. The gelding will have to overcome a wide gate fourteen, but he gets a set of blinkers fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.