Just Be Lekker has been tipped to win the 6th race. (JC Photos)
The highest rated race at the Thursday meeting at Turffontein Inside is a MR 103 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200 metres and Just Be Lekker is the choice to win it.
Just Be Lekker has drawn widest of all but after two scratchings draw seven out of seven is not too problematic. The last time she went around the turn over 1200m she beat the useful Shipholia by 2.90 lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes event at Hollywoodbets Greyville and she was only receiving 1kg. She has won up to 1450m, so despite this being her second run after a rest the ring rustiness shouldn’t prevent her from staying all the way to the line. She has in fact shown good class up to 1600m, finishing fourth in the Gold Rush behind Rapidash, Coastal Commander and Tail Of The Comet. She will need some luck in running but is nevertheless tipped to prevail. Her stablemate Little Ballerina also has a lot of ability. She finished just 1.45 lengths behind none other than One Stripe over this trip in the Gr 3 Cape of Good Hope Nursery. She followed up with a Gr 2 win in the SA Fillies Nursery over 1160m. She ended last season with a 4.65 length fifth in the Debutante at Hollywoodbets Greyville, which was a touch disappointing and she hasn’t run since. However, if close to her best she should be involved from draw five of seven. Pointer is a talented sort who has drawn wide and will jump from six out of seven, but she is distance suited and should make her presence felt. Chrome Tourmaline has her third run after a layoff and on best form she has a chance. Hierkommiebokkie is quick and will likely make an attempt to lead from start to finish with a 4kg claimer up, although she might be at her best over 1400m.
In the first leg of the pick six Immediate Edge is a long-striding sort who came from midfield on debut to win going away over 1600m. He looks likely to enjoy the step up to 2000m and is drawn in pole with in form Ryan Munger up off a reasonable merit rating of 83, so he looks to be the one to side with. Beynac took six runs to get out of the maidens, but when stepped up to 1800m he won by seven lengths. He has been given a merit rating of 86 which will make it tough for him to beat Immediate Edge, whom he has to give 1,5kg, as he didn’t beat a vintage field when winning. Quartermaine has been knocking on the door and has been facing some decent types too, so he should be right there with a 4kg claimer up, although he does have a tough draw of nine out of nine. Diesel’s Shadow is a consistent sort and should be in the shake up again from a good draw of five with Gavin Lerena up. High Queue is a consistent sort and from draw two could also make his presence felt.
In the second leg of the pick six over 2000 meters One Religion has been knocking on the door off her current mark and Gavin Lerena now gets the ride from draw six out of 11. Kadizora lost by a head to One Religion when they last met over this trip and is now 1.5kg better off which gives her a fine chance, but she has drawn widest of all, although in form Ryan Munger is up. Donna Mo has not been in good form lately, but she is better than that and can bounce back over a suitable course and distance off a merit rating that has come down a bit. Rosy Lemon has come down the merit ratings and looks to be off a competitive mark again, so could do well from a fair draw. Greenhouse did well when stepped up to 1800m last time and from a pole position draw should make her presence felt, although she is 1kg under sufferance.
The fifth race is an uninspiring event over 1600 meters and Carnelo could be the one to side with as he has been knocking on the door lately, although he was given a four point raise for his good second last time. Futurewolff won by 7.1 lengths last time, but has been raised eight points. He does jump from pole position though and has a 2,5kg claimer up. Full Go is capable of finishing strongly, but is under sufferance and is only 2,5kg better off with Futurewolff for a 7.1 length beating. Tintamarre has been facing decent opposition without being disgraced and has a chance here. Vas Vegas is capable of being involved in this event over a trip, which might stretch him a bit, although he is older now and might be ready to take it on. Ombudsman can be involved if repeating his last start.
In the seventh over 1200m Green Sapphire is talented and can score the hattrick desite being raised eight points for her last win. She could fight it out with Fastnet Filly who is knocking hard and has pole position.
In the eighth over 1200m My One And Only was unlucky last time out when hampered and can make amends with a 4kg claimer up, but the draw of ten is a concern. Time For Charity was competitive off this mark last time, but also has a wide draw. There She Goes has some good recent form, but is another form horse with a wide draw. Heirloom enjoys this course and distance and has a fair draw. Waitforgreenlight is hard to ignore.
In the first race over 1000m Endizayo disappointed last time, but can bounce back. Chilli Marmalade has the form to be involved. Pantheria Uncia can go close if repeating any of her last two runs.
In the second over 1000m Pibe De Oro showed much ability over sprints and will appreciate the step down in trip, although the wide draw makes it tricky. Tana Maree improved second time out and can do again, although she has a tricky draw. Lady Of Arc showed good ability and has a fair draw with Munger up, but she is returning from a six month layoff.
