An exciting and busy weekend of racing lies ahead with future and established equine stars in action from Turffontein to Durbanville to Longchamp in France on Sunday.
On Saturday smart three-year-olds take on well-performed older rivals in two Grade 2 features at Turffontein, where a R500,000 Pick 6 carryover is expected to push the total pool to R3million.
In the UK, multiple Group 1-winning filly Blue Bolt goes for six wins in a row in a Group 1 at Newmarket on Saturday and the next day champion colt Daryz bids to achieve the rare feat of winning the Group 1 Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe twice running.
TAB customers can bet into the Hong Kong World Pool on Flemington and Newmarket races on Saturday.
Play into the Carryover Pick 6 Pool at Turffontein – the only way to increase the pool is to play on the tote – which you can also do with most online bookmakers.
Photo of Flower Island (above) by JC Photos.
Below is a leg-by-leg guide to the carryover Pick 6. Structure correctly, take a few perms, use percentage betting:
Leg 1 (13:55): Race 4 – 1800m BETWAY MIDDLE STAKES
Promising four-year-olds 10 DAWSON’S ANVIL and 11 DOCTOR STRANGELOVE step up to stronger company, but both have raced only a few times and look well ahead of the handicapper. They are expected to fight out the finish off their bottom weights. Justin Snaith’s raider 2 LANDOFTHERISINGSUN let his supporters down when backed into favouritism last time, but he is better than that and is not out of it on his first Highveld start. 4 BEST CANDIDATE is in the best form of his career but has to give away a chunk of weight to Dawson’s Anvil and Doctor Strangelove. 7 FIRST WISH makes her debut for Candice and Tammy Dawson. She is effective over this trip, nicely weighted and one for bigger perms.
Leg 2 (14:30): Race 5 – 1600m BETWAY MR 92 OPEN HANDICAP (three-year-olds)
8 KOVIL is a handsome individual with ability. He acquitted himself well after a rest in open company last time and, in receipt of weight all round, has the looks of a good-value bet. There are others with chances. 2 GOTTHETIGER’s trainer Joe Soma will have a line through his runner Raptor King, who defeated 3 TROJAN HORSE in a Maiden Plate last season. They reappear after a rest with the same ratings and there should not be much between them. 1 ONE STATE is very fit following two wins this season, including a handicap against older runners. He may be good enough to go in again. 7 HOT CHOICE is bred to enjoy this distance and further, and is worth considering if you’re playing wide.
Leg 3 (15:05): Race 6 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING F&M CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
Three-year-old fillies don’t have a good record in this traditionally competitive feature, with only Peter Racing’s Big Burn successful in the last 10 renewals. She set the pace under 52kg in 2021 and galloped the older mares off their feet. Sean Tarry can do it with another exceptionally speedy filly in 11 GET UP, a Grade 2 winner last season. She has just 51.5kg to shoulder and may well employ similar tactics. Another talented three-year-old 12 FLOWER ISLAND will race with only 50.5kg in the saddle and also has winning prospects. Among their older rivals 2 WHISTLE THE TUNE, 3 KISSHOTEN and 9 WARM RECEPTION are all good enough to have a say at the finish. Go light with the younger generation or cover with the established older fillies and mares.
Leg 4 (15:40): Race 7 – 1450m BETWAY JOBURG SPRING CHALLENGE (Grade 2)
Three-year-old colts have won three of the last six renewals, among them 1 TIN PAN ALLEY who won it off a rating of 113 last year. He faces a big task from a wide draw this time. Louis Goosen’s Grade 1 winner 14 ERIK DUBOIS is the only three-year-old in the race this year and is rated 111. He is considered a Cape Guineas prospect, had a good pipe-opener to start his seasonal campaign recently and looks a class act. He has a winning chance off 52.5kg. There are plenty of dangers among the older runners, including stalwart 3 GLADATORIAN, capable 4 MAIN DEFENDER (the 2023 winner), 6 CHOISAANADA (fourth last year), 7 TEXAS RED (in-form stable, always thereabouts), 10 TALK TO THE MASTER (new stable, good form), 11 SUNSET RIOT (upset chance on recent form), 12 CHRONICLE KING (talented and suited to the course and distance) and 13 I’M A FIREBALL (speedy and could get away). A good spread of runners is advised.
Leg 5 (16:20): Race 8 – 1200m BETWAY MR 96 HANDICAP
Once again, it is tempting to side with the up-and-coming three-year-olds in the form of Grade 3 winner 5 TIME IS PRECIOUS and Grade 2-placed 3 BISOU BISOU. Both are correctly weighted for their high ratings, have performed well at this track and are likely to be very competitive. Among the older runners 1 PLUS FOUR has some class about him, while 2 IT’S PERSONAL is a course-and-distance ace with Richard Fourie aboard. Another close finish is anticipated.
Leg 6 (16:55): Race 9 – 1200m BETWAY MR 84 HANDICAP
4 LITTLE BOY BLUE appears to have turned the corner in Tony Peter’s stable after treading water in KZN. He looked confident and in full control when winning his second start for his new trainer a fortnight ago and could go close again with further improvement. Stablemates 2 CONTINENTAL KING and 6 HIGHWAYMAN HARRY ran well after lengthy breaks and the former, in particular, looks to have wins in him this season. 3 FOSTINOVO had a valid excuse for his poor performance last time and is expected to show his useful old form. 8 ELUSIVE RED won a good race when tried over this distance two starts ago and looks a factor under Craig Zackey.
