The Brett Webber-trained Erupt filly waltzed in by 9,25 lengths in that maiden plate over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside track, having had some fair form in Cape Town. Jason Gates stays aboard and she could follow up off an opening handicap mark of 84, although she does have a tricky draw of eight . Devilishly Gorgeous won a workriders maiden in fine style over this trip last time and looks to be off a fair merit rating of 69 and she has a fair draw too. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish and although she is six points higher for her last win she goes well for Louis Nhlapo and can go close again if able to find cover. Juniper Green enjoyed the step up to 1450m last time when leading from start to finish. She was given a seven point raise so it will be tough repeating that feat over 150m further. Silver Flare ran a cracker last time over 2000m and her only win has been over this trip, so she is an interesting contender.
Blind Ambition is on her own at the finish on her impressive Highveld debut. (JC Photos).
Turffontein Inside has an eight race meeting on Thursday and in the fifth race over 1600m Blind Ambition could follow up on his impressive Highveld debut.
The highest rated race is a MR 94 handicap over 1600m for fillies and mares and topweight Soldier’s Eye could be the one to side with. This Rabada filly is off a competitive mark of 95 and has a fair draw of three out of 7, so should find cover before using her good turn of foot in the straight. There is not much between her and My Lady Soul on formlines and the latter is tipped to run second from a middle draw of four with in form Ryan Munger up. Miss Scaletta also has a form chance and has pole position with Craig Zackey up. The latter will be hungry on his first day back from suspension as the suspension cost him his championship lead. Those are the three horses who make most appeal here.
The meeting starts with a tricky Maiden Juvenile Plate over 1000m. The first-timer Say A Wish is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-brother to the promising Legal Counsel, who has won three times from five starts for Justin Snaith. Say A Wish has been backed in to odds on favourite, but that might just be due to the lack of form in the race. She does make the most appeal of the first timers but might find it tough from draw five to beat Red Caramel, who has experience and some ability and from draw two on this tight track she could steal a march over the minimum trip.
In the second over 1000m Constellation finished close up in a Listed race on debut after being backed into 15/10 favourite. This is an easier task and he will be hard to beat despite a tricky draw of five out of eight. Nyaka Nyaka has run two good races and from a good draw of three with Andrew Fortune up he could be dangerous.
In the third over 1600m Intro has ability and has a good opportunity here from a good draw over a suitable trip, so he can bounce back from a below par run last time when widely drawn. Wagram made a good Highveld debut after two not disgraced efforts in the strong centre of Cape Town. She does have a tricky draw but should enjoy the step up in trip. Mattiazo is not far off Intro on a previous meeting and from pole position with Lerena up she should be right there.
In the sixth race over 1800m Avoontoast has been knocking on the door and from a fair draw with Strydom up over a suitable trip she is the one to beat despite having to carry topweight against the boys. Peace Treaty has been disappointing after showing early promise, but this is a step down in class and Craig Zackey is now up, so maybe he can show his true ability. Gamer has got better with age as he has learnt to settle better and he should be in the shake up from a good draw over a suitable trip.
The seventh over 2600m is wide open but Clear The Path could be the one to side with over the trip he won his maiden over. He is likely better than his last start. Mo Ment has always struck as one who would enjoy going over ground. Ideal Future is capable of a resolute finish and stays 2400m so should handle this trip.
In the last race over 1200m Secret Chord is in fine form and off just a two point higher mark for his last win and from a fair draw he could be in the shake up under Andrew Fortune. Kindred Heart is off a competitive mark at present and from a fair draw over a suitable trip she should go close. Zanthar has the ability to go close but does have a tricky draw.
