International Racing: Belmont Park, Warwick Farm & Doomben

Cost: R180.00

Race 3

Two fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta. CONTINUANCE has only had the two runs to date, finishing second in both of them over this c&d. She attracted plenty of betting support last time out and will be looking to make amends here. From draw five, she is taken as the best bet on today’s program. BORN SPICY finished 0.6L behind the top pick when making her debut. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could prove to be the biggest danger to the former. GUARDED returns from a 20 weeks break, but has put in two encouraging barrier trials. He has finished close up in both of his runs so far and despite being drawn the widest of them all, he should be involved in the finish.

Race 5

GUNFLINT followed up his penultimate victory over this trip with a close up third over the same distance. He has a wideish nine gate, but he should be right up there when they hit the line. BEDOUIN BELLE is a 4yr old filly taking on the boys and has her first run since a 13 week rest. She has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, but had solid form to her name prior to the break. If not too much in need of the outing, she should give the males a good run for their money. WEST FIFTY FOURTH has made steady improvement in his last two runs, the latest when finishing fourth over this distance. He will have 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice to aid his cause. SEMIGEL return from a 13 week break from the race track and has also not had a barrier trial. He does drop back in trip from his last start over 1100M to what appears to be a more suitable five furlongs.

Race 6

This looks to be a tricky contest and some caution is advised. The tentative top choice goes to ABELDANE who won his last outing over this c&d and who will have 3kgs removed from his allocated weight courtesy of his claiming apprentice. FROSTY HEART was also a winner of his last outing over the c&d despite hanging in the closing stages. AMERISSA is a 5yr old mare taking on the boys. She battled all the way down to the line when finishing 2.5L behind the latter in her last outing, but is 1.5kgs better off at today’s weights, which should bring the pair closer together. BEANIE finished three lengths behind the top choice in his last outing in the race referred to above. He was badly hampered in the closing stages that day and should have finished closer as a result. He should be afforded plenty of respect today.

Race 7

HOOLAHOOPS is a 3yr old filly taking on boys, but she has recorded two solid runs over seven furlongs, winning the latest to post her maiden victory. She finished strongly that day, suggesting that the step up in distance will be to her liking and whilst having a wide draw of ten to overcome, she nevertheless appears to be the value in the race. AL MAHALO also won his maiden race last time out over seven furlongs. He has his peak run today and although taking on stronger here, he should be right up there in the mix. SAFETY BAY is a 3yr old filly who has consistent formlines to her credit. She looked dangerous when finishing third last time out over a mile and despite having to negotiate the widest draw, she should be included in all bets.

Race 8

LAUFEY finished second last time out when stepping up to nine furlongs. He attracted plenty of betting support that day and should have no issues with the drop in distance. BEAT THE BELL is a 5yr old mare taking on males, but she followed up her penultimate win over 1300M with a creditable second place finish over seven furlongs next time out. She finished strongly that day and will be further assisted by having 3kgs taken off her back for the services of her claiming apprentice. Her wide gate of eleven is however a bit of a concern. THE ESCORT on the other hand has pulled pole position and will also have a 3kgs claiming apprentice in the irons. He finished just a half length back in his last outing over nine furlongs and is sure to put in another honest performance today.

Best Bet: VALDOSTANA (Race 7)

Value Bet: CACCINI (Race 5)

Jackpot (race 4 – 7)

Cost: R60.00

Race 4

BENTLEY MAGIC has consistent formlines to his credit and finished second last time out, a neck behind the winner. He jumps from gate three and will be aided by having 3kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice. KOSCIUSKO will also have the 3kgs apprentice allowance applied. He won from start to finish last time out over 1300M and could prove difficult to reel in over the closing stages of the contest from his draw five. TAPICONIC is seldom far off the action and finished second in his last outing over 1300M despite being hampered down at the start. He renews his rivalry with the second choice and faces him on 2kg better terms for that two and a half beating, which should bring them closer together. ELEGANT GRACE is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she showed marked improvement to win her last outing over 1300M. She is drawn the widest of the lot, but is likely to be doing her best work late.

Race 5

With the late scratchings of two of her main threats, CACCINI may well be able to complete her double here and is made the value bet on today’s card. She finished well to win her last outing over this distance, despite being friendless in the betting markets. JOY AND MIRTH won going away in her last start over six furlongs suggesting that the extra distance will be right up her street. She jumps from a handy four draw and could be the immediate danger to the top choice. IRISH ANGEL is drawn one outside the latter and showed good improvement when she held off all challengers to win her last outing over six furlongs. If showing the same determination here, she should be involved in the finish.

Race 6

This looks to be a trick contest and some caution is advised. TRAVANCORE has cracked pole position and although finishing fourth last time out over the mile, he was only 0.7L behind the victor. On that effort, he should be right up there in the dash down to the wire. MAUI GIRL is a 4yr old filly taking on males and drops back in trip from her last outing over nine furlongs and may do better as a result. She has a wide draw to overcome, but she is likely to use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. SHOWMINDER is drawn one inside the latter and has his peak run today. He won his penultimate start over seven furlongs and was then not disgraced in his next run over 1500M. He should be respected in this line-up. SEEINGISBELIEVING was a narrow winner of his last outing over 1500M and will have the 3kgs taken off his back for the services of his claiming apprentice. He looks to be the best of the balance of the field.

Race 7

As with race five, the late scratchings of two of her main rivals, may have cleared the way for VALDOSTANA to record her third career win. She is a 3yr old filly taking on boys and does return from a 18 week rest, but she has recorded two encouraging barrier trials to prove her well-being. She had consistent form to her name prior to her break and from gate eight, she looks to be the one that they all have to beat. IN LIGHTEN ME is a 4yr old filly who was immediately rested for 24 weeks after a disappointing last run over 1300M. Her form prior to that last outing was solid and she has had the benefit of two barrier trials. If recapturing her previous form, she should trouble the top selection, despite having to starts from gate eleven. WHYCATCHIM has an even wider twelve draw to negotiate, but he stayed on well last time out over five furlongs and seems likely to appreciate the extra ground on offer today. 

Best Bet: ACROBATIC (Race 2)

Value Bet: COUNTESS DE GALVEZ (Race 8)

Jackpot (race 5 – 8)

Cost: R81.00

Race 2

With the scratching of one of the first-timers and a serious rival, ACROBATIC has the perfect opportunity to exit the maiden ranks today. He finished fourth on debut over five furlongs before having a 33 week break, but he won his barrier trial to prove his fitness and looks to be the best bet on today’s program. BOOM RANGA showed improvement second time out when finishing second over 1100m. He is however drawn twelve out of thirteen runners, which won’t make things easy for him. TERRAJOHNA also improved in his second outing when returning from a 17 week rest. He is drawn in gate ten, but should be considered for minor place money.

Race 5

PHANTOM FALCON put in a solid last run over six furlongs when returning from a lengthy 65 week break from the race track. If not in need of one more outing, he should be right up there when they hit the line. Although THE WILD ONE finished fifth last time out over six furlongs, he was just 2.4L behind the winner. He is drawn one inside the former and should be involved in the finish here. LUNAR LIGHT is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she has cracked pole position and has her first run for her new trainer. If she has fully settled into her new surroundings, she should give a good account of herself in this line-up. 

Race 6

HALLOWED GIRL is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she showed good improvement when stepping up to the mile for her latest outing. If she can confirm that effort, she should be a big runner here, despite having to beat the widest draw of the lot. REBEL SALUTE on the other hand has pulled pole position. He won his maiden race last time out over 1300M when running on strongly, suggesting that the step up in trip will be to his liking. He faces stronger today, but could be up to the task on hand. LUVYOUANYTIME is drawn one outside the latter and led all the way to win his last start to record his maiden victory. He put over ten lengths between himself and the balance of the field that day and could prove difficult to overhaul in the latter stages of the race.

Race 7

A filly and two mares could dominate the finish of this race and complete the trifecta. SHE ZA BOSS finished well to win her last outing over this distance. She has drawn gate nine out of ten, but gets the services of ex-SA jockey Robbie Fradd, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. TYCOON STREET was only outrun very late when finishing a neck off the winner last time out over 1520M and seem sure to enjoy the drop in distance here. She is drawn one inside the former. HIDDEN BUDGET on the other hand has pole position. She did finish 1.3L behind the second choice in their last clash in the race referred to above and is worse off at today’s weights, so she might find it difficult to reverse that result even with the draws being in her favor.

Race 8

As with the previous race, the fillies could fight out the finish to this contest, this time two 4yr old fillies are picked for the exacta. COUNTESS DE GALVEZ has consistent formlines to her credit and won her last outing over a mile by one length. She has a wide draw of fourteen to negotiate, but she still looks to be the value in the race. TATCEE is seldom far off the winner and won her last start over a mile, even though she shifted about in the closing stages. She has a kinder draw of nine and should be right up there in the mix. GLEN ORD has finished second in his last three outings, the latest over the mile journey and will be hoping to go one better today. He does face a wide draw of eleven, but he should be included in all bets.