Turf Talk Newsletter – 27 March, 2026

King Harald looks capable of progressing and can win the 7th at Turffontein Standside on Saturday (JC Photos)

A Progress Plate over 1600m is the main race at the Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday and King Harald could be the one to beat.

He disappointed in the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas when fading tamely in the straight, but before that had been close to I’m A Fireball when the latter broke the course record for 1450m at the Vaal Classic track and he then won in commanding style over 1600m last time. He has landed a good draw of two. Chronicle King will be a threat. This Gr 2 winner over 1400m gave King Harald 3kg and a 4,25 length beating in a Graduation Plate over 1450m in October. However, before that there was only a neck between them at level weights in the Gr 1 World Pool Moment Of The Day Champion Stakes over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and that was despite King Harald having to come from a wide draw. Last time out Chronicle King faded late in the 4Racing Wolf Power over 1600m at Turffontein Standside, admittedly after being used early to get the lead from a wide draw. Chronicle King seems at his best over 1400m and he not only has a worse draw than the latter of five comapred to two but King Harald also receives 3kg from him on the race card and in fact receives 2,5kg if the claim of tthe country’s most in-form apprentice, Blaine Marx-Jacobson, is included. So King Harald gets the nod, but the race does not end there as Jimmy Don is also i the field. At his best this talented horse would be the one to beat and he is in fact so well treated at the weights that he is 3,5kg better off with the second best treated horse, Chronicle King. Howeever, his comeback run in February, where he finished a running on 4,20 length fifth, followed  layoff of more than two-and-a-half years, so there have been some issues. The filly Gerbera represents the in-form Sean Tarry yard and on her day she would have a chance but she comes off a below par run over course and distance. The Tarry-trained Storm Brasco seemed to ave potential at one stage, but has not run since last October.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 is over 1160m. Geostorm is a full-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody and returns from a rest of close to six months after a good debut, bjut can get away with it over this trip. Hammer Blow is improving and should be in the shake up. Tiger’s Captain has the form to be a contender and Highwayman Harry could still improve while Willow Charm can’t be ignored.

In the fifth race over 1160m Echo Check has some fine form and should be a big runner here. The Last Duke is talented and will enjoy the step down in trip.  Gimmethegoodlife has consistent sprint form and should be in the shake up. The Specialist has class and has bounced back to form with two wins in his last two, so he must be respected. Dantonfromsandton can’t b ignored off a competitive merit rating.

In the sixth over 1600m Frangipani has not been disgraced against feature company and is potentially well handicapped here. Chieftain’s Shield is a bit off form but from pole position could bounce back as he has a good finish on his day. Mocha Frappe has been a bit disappointing, but could be dangerous off this lowly merit rating from a good draw. Pretty Analia packs a strong finish if things go her way, but she will need luck from a wide draw. Unsolved Riddle won well last time over 1450m and has a chance off a four point higher mark, but interestingly Blaine Marx-Jacobson has not retained the ride and instead rides Deception Pass.

In the eighth over 1000m Precocious goes for a five-timer and Marx-Jacobson stays on top having been on for her last three wins. She could defy the handicapper again as she won by a cosy length last time after a six point raise and she only has to overcome a four point raise this time. On the downside Marx-Jacobson only claims 2,5kg this time compared to 4kg last time. Fiery Rose could be the one tio pick up the pieces as she won impressively last time and is on the up.

In the ninth over 1000m Amazonian has disappointed in her last two starts but was drawn on the wrong side both times and has now come down five points in the nerit ratings and gets a nice middle to high draw in the ten horse field. She looks to have scope and can bounce back.

In the first race Moana is the one to beat on the weight turnaround with Within Reach.

In the second Dear Doc was a runaway winner ast time and now has an acid test carrying a 3kg penalty from a tricky draw, but he looks up to it.

In the third race Wispinthewillow looks hard to oppose from a fair draw.

Lady Jean is already a top 15 incumbent in the competition for a place in the R3 million Race Coast Slipper, but she can make sure she is in the final field with a win in the first race at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday

The Hollywoodbets Greyville meeting on Sunday has four races on turf followed by five races on the poly.

Lady Jean should give punters a good chance in race one over 1200m. She qualifies for a big R3 million Sales race and she will book her place if winning this Juvenile Plate over 1200m. She brings an eyecatching maiden win from the strong centre of Cape Town with her.  Even with a penalty for a win she should be able to beat the boys here. That is especially when considering the form of her win has been franked. In The Red ran a good second in his second start and has a good draw, so should be the chief threat.

The second race over 1900m could also go to a horse with Cape Town form, No Pressure, who has run well with blinkers on in his last two starts over 1400m. Being by Ideal World he might well relish the step up in trip here. Fire Force and Qhude Manikiniki make most appeal as the dangers.

The third race over 1200m is wide open and it is not easy to find a winner. What A Passion fnished close up to a promising sort last time and is the one who makes most appeal, but she will have to overcome a tricky draw. Kwali Bana won well on the poly last time and could be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Sakura Hanami brings some good Johannesburg form and should be right there.

In the next race over 1200m The Aversator has to carry 58,5kg against older horses, but he has not been dishgraced against some of the best three-year-olds in the land and should enjoy this trip in his comeback after a short layoff. His pole position draw will help too. Golden Rule also has a wide draw and also returns from a short layoff, plus he has a big weight of 62kg to carry. However, he has some class and could make a late charge. Magic Tattoo would likely prefer 1000m but he has won on the poly here over this trip and could be a contender.

In the first of the poly races Zoombomber brings some good Highveld form over this sort of trip and makes appeal to win it because he has gone close on the poly before. Longsword is a decent Highveld horse and should be finishing strongly, as usual, from a good draw.

In the sixth race over 1200m Highveld horse That’s My Baby has never run on the poly before but her form on the Hollywoodbets Greyville turf is better than any of her other form, so she could bounce back to her best here from a nice draw under in-form Keagan de Melo. Back At The George is in fine form and is drawn in pole over an ideal trip.

In the seventh over 1600m Count Of Rouen has class and a number of horses who have peformed below par in Cape Town during the Summer have bounced back to form in their own provinces. His merit ratimg has come down and he should be threabouts. The consistent Gotta Go Eddie could be the main danger.

The eighth over 1600 is a open race, but Royal Sword, Faire Advantage and Pied Piper make most appeal. World Of Our Own has to be considered too and Vencedor is interesing on the poly.

In the last race over 1200m One Irish Rover gets a good opportunity against an uninspiring field from a good draw and is taken to beat In The Bag and Little Cracker.

At The Races Tipster Tim Carroll had three midweek winners including the Nap & NB, and has selections for Sha Tin on Sunday.

This Sunday sees a competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 07H45 SA Time and the feature is race 4, the Class 2 Shaw Alumni Handicap, over 1 mile, a race offering prize-money of more than £310,000.

Now onto this week’s selections:

At The Races Tipster Tim Carroll had three midweek winners including the Nap & NB, and has selections for Sha Tin on Sunday.

This Sunday sees a competitive 11-race card from Sha Tin getting underway at 07H45 SA Time and the feature is race 4, the Class 2 Shaw Alumni Handicap, over 1 mile, a race offering prize-money of more than £310,000.

Now onto this week’s selections:

Click here to read a comprehensive guide to the meeting

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