Hazy Dazy has been tipped to win the headliner, the fifth race (JC Photos)
A MR 86 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m is the highest rated race at the Turffontein Inside track meeting on Thursday and Hazy Dazy, who comes off a hattrick, could score yet another victory.
The three-year-old Act Of War filly is tall and still a bit gangly and she is green too, so looks to have plenty of scope for improvement and can overcome the five point merit rated raise she was given for her last win. She won that 2000m contest by a length but was being eased at the line and she now has pole position draw under the same 1,5kg claimer, Trent Mayhew. Champion jockey Gavin Lerena is aboard Azalea’s For All, who could be the main danger. This Fanie Bronkhorst-trained Captain Off All mare was undone by a wide draw over 2000m on the Standside track last time, but was making good headway late on the outside to finish a 2,75 length fourth. She now has a good draw of two over an equally suitable trip and she is 1,5kg better off with Future Date for a one length beating and there is a reversal in draw fortunes too. Streisand is the topweight and has the ability to be in the shake up here as a big, progressive sort, but she has a tricky draw of seven out of nine. Kissing Machine also has the ability to be involved but also has a wide draw to overcome. Future Date can’t be ignored. Alta Capitana was highly tried as a two-year-old and this filly should progress this season into a competitive middle distance campaigner. She has an 87 merit rating but will appreciate the step up in trip after being well beaten on her reappearance in a strong Graduation Plate over 1450m.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Councillor strikes as a pogressive sort. He was doing good work late over 1800m last time and now has Richard Fourie up from a fair draw. Naretoi made a fair Highveld debut and from a good draw should plug on into the money. Gavius Maximus will likely lead from draw six and with Gavin Lerena up he should earn. Kavomolka can earn from pole position over a suitable trip. Heroic Act could earn a cheque too.
In the second leg over 1800m Frangipani has scope for improvement and this hard knocker should go close from a fair draw. Anahita is a full sister to Rascallion and should progress this season. She will apprecite the step up in trip and if getting cover from a wide draw will be a big threat. Blood Of Eden stayed on courageously over 1600m last time and should enjoy this trip, so should earn.
In the sixth race over 1800m Drumnadrocht won well on debut over 1600m and off a reasonable 84 merit rating should go close from a plum draw over a step up in trip which should suit. Match a Mint is a consistent sort and can improve over this step up in trip. It will be tough from a wide draw, but Muzi Yeni is seldom caught out wide and should make a plan. Nkwenkwezi is in fine form and is improving so might be able to handle a four point raise for her last win and she should enjoy the trip.
In the seventh over 1600m Palace Attack is by Potala Palace and is a half brother to Fire Attack, so should relish the step up in trip, but he does have a wide draw and a 91 merit rating to contend with, so it won’t be easy. Free Jacques was not disgraced first time out the maidens and the horse who won that race, Beynac, looks useful. He can improve. His draw of six out of ten is not easy but Craig Zackey is up and he should be given every chance. Coming In Hot was just ahead of Frere Jacques and Ombudsman last time and he now has a good draw so can do well if able to bounce back from below par performance subsequent to that run. Ombudsman should be thereabouts from a fair draw. Unsolved Riddle can do better than last time especially as he now has pole position.
In the eighth over 2000m Hat Furious should go close from a fair draw if able to repeat his last start. Peace Treaty will just need to produce his last run to be a big runner here and he has a plum draw. Pomozelous has a better draw than last time and can bounce back. Red Sparrow can also be involved if bouncing back. Bob Lee Swagger is capable of better than his last two starts.
In the first race over 1450m the one to beat looks to be Babette’s Feast, but Trail Runner must be included because Babette’s Feast has a tough draw. Winter Wedding is also a threat in this race.
In the second race over 2000m Olympian Gold has Richard Fourie up and he could fend off Robert Browning and Follow The Master.
