The Turffontein Inside track hosts an eight race meeting on Thursday and the exotics should pay rewarding dividends on a day of competitive racing.
The highest rated race on the card is the 7th, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares, which has had two scratchings leaving eight runners going to post. Andi’s girl was unlucky to not win the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap last time as the jockey left her run just a little too late, and she failed by 0.75 lengths to catch them. She will be just as comfortable over this trip, and has a fair draw with Muzi Yeni now in the irons. Ceuta has been in fine form from 1400m up to 1800m, except for last time when not striding out and finishing fatigued. She has a chance from draw three if able to bounce back. Hierkommiebokkie is a dangerous front running sort who is ideally course and distance suited here. Her last run can be ignored as the saddle slipped, and she has an ideal pole position draw for her style of racing. Cape Lights can never be ignored, and has Gavin Lerena aboard over a suitable trip, albeit from a wide draw. Blue Horizon is a capable sort, as she proved last time, but she has been given a four point raise for that victory and has a wide draw to overcome.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m, Destiny of Fire is on the up, and Gavin Lerena stays aboard after a good win last time over 1600m. She should enjoy the step up and trip here, but does have a seven point raise to overcome. Gerbera won her maiden at the third time of asking, but had faced some useful sorts before that without being disgraced. She starts handicapping off a reasonable 85 merit rating, but does have a tricky draw. She should enjoy the step up to 1800m on pedigree. VisionOfPeace will enjoy the step up in trip and has a pole position draw, so should be a runner here. Tuscan Star has 4.5 lengths to make up on Vision of Peace, but is likely better than her last start, so can’t be totally ignored. Streisand has been disappointing since cheekpieces were fitted, but they remain on.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 3000m To The Rescue always gave the impression he would improve with age and he now looks to be coming into his own, so can follow up on his last win over 2400m. Royal Mazarin has a good draw, and has proven ability over stamina trips, so should not mind going over 3000m for the first time. Only a Poet has done well up to 2400m, so should get this trip, and as a consistent sort he should be in this shake up. Damova is a consistent stayer too and can put her last run behind her as she now jumps from pole position. Afraad and Arlington Action are not out of it on form.
In the fifth race over 1600m, King of Numbers has been knocking on the door. He ran a fine race last time, despite having been given a 6 point raise, and with Lerena now up from pole position, he looks the one to beat. Ombudsman has not been disgraced lately, as he has faced some decent sorts, and he now has an easier task, so should be in the shake up, but he does have to overcome a tricky draw of 7. Pressonregardless is consistent and has a good draw over an ideal trip. MK’s Dreams is capable and has a fair draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. He looks to be off a reasonable merit rating at present. Lava Fire ran a cracker last time over 1450m, and should stay this trip with a 4kg claimer up, but a wide draw makes it difficult.
In the sixth race over 1450m, Fast Duty is distance suited and has a fair draw and with Lerena up he should go close. Great Notion looks to be improving and won her maiden easily over 1400m. She is distance suited, and has a fine draw off a reasonable looking 78 merit rating. Written In Stone is an evergreen sort, and very consistent, and Jason Gates extracted a rare win out of him last time. He stays aboard the nine-year-old and from a good draw he has a chance even off a five point higher mark as he is a horse who always rises to the occasion and seldom misses a cheque. Legendary is on the up, and starts handicapping off a reasonable mark after a good maiden win over this distance. Kottinos ran a good third last time, beating Fast Duty by a head, but he is now 1kg worse off, although he does have a plum draw so might be right there again.
In the last race over 1450m, Accept Cookies has shown plenty of ability, and Lerena is now up over an ideal trip from a good draw. Boom Boom finished well to win her penultimate start with Zackey up after he had brought her wide away from other horses. Zackey is now back on and might know how to get the best out of this filly. Perini Palace is another one who could be right there if producing her best, but she has a wide draw to overcome.
In the first race over 1000m Pacific looks to have been well placed as he is knocking on the door and this is not an inspiring field. He jumps from draw five out of eight with Yeni up and can beat Dancing Dora, who has Zackey up. Oriental Bouquet looked to be going places early in her career and she could perhaps start earning again having dropped from a 99 merit rating down to 58.
In the second race over 1000m Longsword is capable of a strong finish and with Lerena up can overcome a three point raise. Dontshootthebarman beat a good field last time so could still be competitive carrying 64kg. Tchaikovsky is always capable of popping up and can’t be ignored. Heirloom is another who is capable of popping up can be involved. Virginia Beach is quick and from pole position with a 4kg claimer up could be dangerous.
