The fifth race, a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m, is the highest rated of an eight event meeting at Turffontein Inside on Thursday and Dreamland could claim a hattrick.
The Lucky Houdalakis-trained three-year-old gelding is a superbly bred sort. He is by the late Lancaster Bomber out of a daughter of Equus Champion Sprinter Val De Ra. His dam Dream De Ra was unplaced, but is bred in the purple. Her mother Val De Ra, who won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint, the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint and the Gr 1 Cape Flying Championship, was by European champion sprinter Var and Dream De Ra was by another European Champion Sprinter in Oasis Dream, who has produced the winners of 27 Group 1 races. Lancaster Bomber has two Gr 1 winners in his first crop and is a big loss. So the ingredients are all there for Dreamland. After showing initial promise, he went a bit off the boil, but now appears to be coming into his own. The 1000m trip around the turn from a draw of four should suit him down to the ground because he possesses both early pace and a nice kick. He only has to overcome a merit rating raise of three points for his last win. Gavin Lerena, who rode him to both of those last two wins, has hopped off as 56kg is 1kg below his riding weight. Lerena is the first choice rider for Laurence Wernars, but is aboard Karangetang. The latter has come down to a 99 merit rating and this is his correct trip, but he is drawn five and carries 61,5kg which will be tough for a horse who has been seen to fade late in some of his races. Dreamland could have been a better option and Richard Fourie is in that case the beneficiary. Woman Of Power has a touch of class and should start progressing so will be dangerous from pole position. Halbardier is in good form and although half-a-kilogram under sufferance he has a good draw and should be thereabouts. Wind Water is well drawn but has 1,85 lengths to make up on Karangetang and they face on the same terms.
In the first race over 1500m In A Blue Moon is consistent and has a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable trip. Pike Place is a battling long-time maiden but is better than his last start and under Chamu Mabaya he could be involved. Trombettista has a tricky draw but is improving and might enjoy the step up in trip being by New Predator out of a Fort Wood mare, although the mare’s only win was over 1000m. Irish Love has shown enough to be able to earn. Oklahoma Twister jumps from pole position and should earn a cheque here.
In the second race over 1200m Cosmic Speed looks hard to oppose, having finished a close second to Fire Attack on debut and the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Nursery. He is drawn well and the rest of the field are uninspiring. Dance King, who finished a nine length third to the promising Buffalo Storm Cody on debut, makes most appeal of the rest.
In the third race over 1200m Magic Secret is no great shakes but from a good draw has a chance in this uninspiring event. Together Again is also a battler but can earn here from a fair draw. Dragon Dragon ran a close second in a similar field over course and distance last time, but she now has a wide draw. The Navy Lark is drawn very wide but does have early pace so could overcome it and can be involved here. Centrefold made a fair Highveld debut and has a chance here.
In the fourth race over 1200m And Action ran a cracker over this trip around the turn in his penultimate start under Kabelo Matsunyane, who is now back aboard. From draw three he should be able to lead like he did in that race. Gold Agent has been knocking on the door for a long time, but usually finds one or two too good. However, he has pole position and will be a threat in this line up. His Lordship has shown some promise and from draw two should be in the shake up. Two-year-old Waheed made a fair debut and the form has been franked with two winners coming out of that race. However, he is up against older horses and has a tricky draw. Bad Medicine finished a nine length second on debut to Buffalo Storm Cody, but is capable of improvement.
In the sixth race over 1600m Magical Flight went close last time to a decent sort over 1400m and enjoys this trip too, so can go close from a good draw. Kissing Machine has a tricky draw but looks to have scope for more improvement over this ideal trip. Work Of Time was on top of Magical Flight last time but now has a tough draw. Cape Lights has some fair form but is also drawn wide. Just Be Nice is drawn in pole and that could help her get home over a trip that might stretch her a litttle.
In the seventh race over 1450m MK’S Dreams is well regarded and has a plum draw over an ideal trip. He is better than his last run where he might have gone for home too soon after being dropped out from a wide draw. This looks to be an easier field. Max The Otter went close the last time he tried this trip and he has a fair draw. Bob’s Your Uncle has a fair draw and is off a competitve mark over a suitable trip. Arividicio sneaks into the handicap with tihe minimum weight and could earn. The Playboy Bomber won an uninspiring maiden well and represents an in form yard so could play a part off a 78 merit rating.
In the last race over 1450m Houston is talented and although not ultra reliable is distance suited and has a fair draw. Funky Music is capable over this trip and has an easier task than in his recent races so could represnt good value. Bloomington is always capable of popping up, but does have a tricky draw. Pocket Watch is hard to ignore despite a tricky draw as he should start progressing. Just Nuisance has disappointed in his last two but this is an easier task, although he does have a tough draw.
