TOP BET
Race 3: PUT THE BERRIES(2)
Jockey: Andrew FORTUNE – Trainer: CJ BURGER VAN REENEN
PUT THE BERRIES acquitted herself extremely well despite her jockey racing with a slipped saddle in a handicap over this c & d, two weeks ago. The maiden filly was beaten 2.55 lengths into 5th at the line and she now drops back to maiden company. She was outrun late into 2nd in a similar contest in her penultimate outing where she had BEAUTIFUL GIRL and ALOXXI behind her. The daughter of Royal Air Force is effective without alumites and she is certainly the one to beat. Andrew Fortune partnered her in her career best effort in her penultimate outing.
Race 4: NORTHERN BALLET(4)
Jockey: S’manga KHUMALO – Trainer: Justin SNAITH
NORTHERN BALLET is in great form and she tried hard when pipped into 2nd in lesser company over this c & d, two weeks ago. She rises in class but escaped without a penalty for that last showing and the Snaith inmate still has more to offer. The daughter of Silvano should stake a serious claim in this field.
Race 6: SILVAN STAR(3)
Jockey: Greg CHEYNE – Trainer: Glen KOTZEN
As expected, SILVAN STAR bounced right back to best when she returned to her home province. She would have strengthened during the four-month break and the daughter of Silvano drew clear easily to beat subsequent winner Louisiana who dead-heated with LEISURE TRIP for 2nd position. The lightly raced inmate from the Glen Kotzen yard will be fitter and she still has lots of improvement to come. The weights are heavily against her in this graduation plate but she is racing fit and has some class about her. Interestingly, she finished narrowly ahead of today’s best-rated runner, FROMAFAR, on the Goodtime Gal run on 29/12, right at the beginning of her career.

Race 7: BON BON(5)
Jockey: Greg CHEYNE – Trainer: Glen KOTZEN
An extremely competitive field closes the day and with many form runners present, there could be some good value about the victress. BON BON was totally unfancied when she finished strongly for 3rd on her debut over this c & d in yielding conditions, three weeks ago. She was understandably green and would have come on appreciably from that first experience. The Bold Silvano filly is now drawn well at gate 2 and she can finish much closer to the Snaith inmate, DAWN RISING.