The eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside on Saturday could be a good one for punters with some good horses turning out.
The headliner, the Listed Betway Swallow Stakes over 1160m,could be won by the Sean Tarry-trained The United States filly Rodeo Drive. She was undone by a low draw last time and 1000m was too sharp. This classy sort can bounce back over 1160m and overtake the speedy Almond Sea late in the day. Scorceress Supreme has to be included too after her fine win last time. Pointer is hard to ignore from a middle draw. Poblano is also talented and is drawn on the right side.
In the second race, a maiden over 1160m, Winds Of Change will likely start very short being one of the highest rated maidens in SA history. The 107-rated What A Winter colt is drawn on the right side over the 1160m trip and Gavin Lerena is up. Winds Of Change has placed second before in two Gr 3s, was third in a Gr 1 over 1200m and 5th in a Gr 2, so he should have no problem dispatching this field.
In the third race, a Progress Plate over 1600m, Sukhumvit has always struck as one who would get better with age and she showed how much ability she has last time out in a Listed race over 1800m as she pulled badly for a long time in the running and still managed to finish second in a good field. She should appreciate the step down in trip and is the one to beat carrying a light weight, especially if she manages to settle better this time and despite officially not being well weighted. She does have a tricky draw of five out six, so finding cover won’t be easy and she might just be sent to the front. Hotarubi is officially best in at the weights and should run a cracker under Strydom over a suitable course and distance. Let’s Go Now also struck as one who would come into her own this season and she is officially only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Hotarubi and she is officially 4kg better off than Sukhumvit.
In the next race over 1600m the well-bred Spumante Dolce did not beat much on debut but did it well and this Vercingetorix half-sister to July winner Sparkling Water starts off handicapping off a reasonable 81 merit rating. She will appreciate the step up to 1600m and she only has to carry 55,5kg under the astute Raymond Danielson, although her draw of eight out of eleven is tricky. Solar Sail ran fifth in a good three-year-old handicap last time and could be involved from draw four and the hardknocking Kudzu should be in the shake up.
In the fifth race over 1800m Forgiveness appears to be an above average and progressive type and she proved herself right up with Sukhumvit last time out at the beginning of November. She is drawn in pole over a suitable 1800m trip with Gavin Lerena up. She is up against the boys in a handicap though so it won’t be easy and Captainofthegreen and Jordan warrant inclusion.
In the sixth over 1160m Green Sapphire looks to be on the up and off an 81 merit rating is another one who can follow up on a maiden win. She is drawn on the right side and can beat Pretty Precious, who has a tough number one draw, and Take Your Place.
In the eighth over 1000m Halcyon hasn’t raced since his maiden win back in May, where he impressed second time out, and he could do it off an 89 merit rating with Lerena up. Smith and Wesson is drawn on the right side and should be thereabouts. Virgin River, The Navy Lark and Beamonesque are hard to ignore.
The first race should see the hard knocker Exceedingly Glam getting it right from a nice high draw.
