Cullinan Blue has been tipped to win the day’s headliner (JC Photos)
The Championship season has come to an end on the Highveld, but Saturday’s ten race meeting at Turffontein Standside has still attracted some decent horses.
The highest rated race is a MR 99 for fillies and mares over 1160m and Cullinan Blue is the stand out at first sight. However, the yard have pointed out that this will be a preparation outing for the Gr 1 SA Fillies Sprint so it is not going to be easy for her to carry 62kg against older horses after a layoff of three and a half months. Exchange Student was thought of as good enough to travel down to Cape Town, so could represent good value jumping from a favourable high draw. A line can be drawn through her last start as she jumped from draw eight out of eight on the Inside track and was then hampered in the straight. Flowerbomb drops from a Gr 3 down to an ordinary handicap and could also bounce back. Law Of Success beat Flowerbomb in that Gr 3 but she does have a low draw which could be against her. Chrome Tourmaline should make her presence felt despite a low draw of two. However, this is the most tricky race on the card and could be one in which to either take a chance and banker the classy Cullinan Blue or include the whole field.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Intro looks the one to beat as she has never been disgraced against decent sorts and now has a plum high draw over a suitable trip. Pointer looks the main danger as she should improve after a good debut and also has a nice high draw. Oxalis made a good debut over 1450m and looks to have plenty of ability. She didn’t show early pace on debut and finished well, so the step down in trip will not be in her favour, but she should be flying at the finish. Bellissivar ran an improved race last time to finish second, but it was an uninspiring workriders maiden field. Golden Argo was just behind her in that race and could earn again.
In the second leg over 1600m Rossore Finale finished a length behind the improving Judgement Day the last time he tried this trip and has a good draw. He was unplaced over 2000m last time and will enjoy the step down in trip despite being by Ideal World out of a Fort Wood mare. Deception Pass, also by Ideal World, is knocking hard too and can make a bold bid over an ideal trip from a fair draw. Callaburn can’t be ignored as a hard knocker from 1600m up to 2000m, although he does have a tricky draw. Sakurajima has run two good races and this two-year-old comes from the Pettigrew yard so should start improving and is distance suited. Battleofbarberton is drawn in pole and could also be in the shake up.
In the sixth race over 2400m Silvano’s Song is interesting stepped up in trip, being by Silvano, although his Captain Al dam’s only win in a handful of starts was over 1450m so he is not a certainty to stay. He was staying on dourly over 1800m last time though and has gone close over 2000m before. Claw could still be anything as a stayer, having won well when stepped up to 2000m in just his third start. He has a fair draw too. Mambo Come Tesio is progressive and makes most appeal of those to have raced. Arlington Action bounced back to win well last time, but is three points higher and this field looks tougher. To The Rescue has ability, but it has taken a while for the penny to drop and he is the dark horse. Crepuscolo and Youcanthurrylove are capable and this looks to be another race to go as wide as possible in.
In the seventh over 1400m the talented Jury’s Out beat a decent field last time over this trip and although 2,5kg out with the best weighted in this Middle Stakes event, he looks progressive and should make his presence felt. The well bred Celestial City has class but has to overcome a wide draw. Bonete is interesting dropped in trip because she won easily on debut over 1450m. Tamarisk Tree was not disgraced in his Cape Town campaign and the blinkers are off after not working last time. The best weighted Good Queen Bess has a shout from pole position.
In the last leg of the Pick 6 Redcherry Lane won on debut despite being ridden by a workrider having his first ride and she is well bred and looks the part so can go close off a 74 merit rating, although she does not look to be a straight forward customer. Green Flash is well thought of and won well last time to make it two wins from four starts and must be included in all bets too.
In the first race over 1160m Believe In Fate made a good debut and the form has been franked. Beynac is well bred and can improve on his fair debut. Tokyo Medaglia is by William Longsword and is a full brother to the useful Bon Vivant.
In the second race over 1160m Silver Parasol is well bred and is drawn on the right side so can do well after a fair debut. Rodeo Drive ran second on debut and the winner went on to win a Gr 3, but she has not run since that 800m debut in December. Khetiwe’s Destiny’s third on debut has been franked by the winner finishing third in a Gr 3 next time out.
In the third race over 1160m Wild At War seemed to disappoint last time but the form has worked out very well from that race and he is the one to beat. Halcyon is by Gimmthegreenlight and is a half-brother to the three-time winning sprinter Axl. Johnny Appleseed is by Admiral Kitten out of the useful 98 merit rated Australian-bred sprinter Effortless Reward.
In the tenth race over 1000m Duke Of Rock only just failed last time and can make amends. Quick Trip is in good form and should be right there. Kinshin Sha is consistent, but does have the tricky number one draw. Nkandla Gold goes for a hattrick and could do it but has to overcome a six point raise and faces a stronger looking field. Covert Operator, On Cue and Prizd Platinum are hard to ignore.
