Andi’s Girl cruises to victory in her last start (JC Photos)
The Turffontein Standside twilight meeting on Friday is headed by the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m and Andi’s Girl could be the one to beat.
The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Fire Away filly looked hard to beat last time out in a MR 94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m having finished close to Back In Business and Fiery Pegasus in respective starts over that trip. She looked to have been baulked for a run late in that race but running room appeared and she surged through to win by a length. It was an easier win than the bare form suggests, so she could go in again off a five point higher merit rating of 93. Lady Fallon is 1,5kg better off with Sukhumvit for a 2,25 length beating over 1800m, but she now has a plum draw and will appreciate the step down in trip, whereas the latter now has a wide draw. Donna Mo was tailed off last time after being backed, but was brushed at the start from a wide draw and was found to not be striding out. If bouncing back she has a chance as she is 1,5kg better off with Andi’s Girl for a one length beating. Sukhumvit has some class and has her third run after a layoff over a trip which when she last tried saw her beaten just 4,50 lengths by Barbaresco. Key Element ran a cracker last time out in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Fillies And Mares Challenge and makes most appeal of the rest, although Soldier’s Eye could also be considered as she is better than her run in that same race.
The first leg of the Pick 6 Basingstoke is on the up and could claim a hattrick off a five point higher mark with Lerena staying aboard over the same 1000m trip from a fair draw of five, although it’s never easy against the boys. Chieftan is 1,5kg better off with King Of Venus for a quarter-length beating on Tuesday over this course and distance. He also has a nice high draw while King Of Venus is drawn low. Kindred Heart ran a fine race last time over this trip behind two fair sorts but her low draw is a concern over this course and distance and she is up against the boys. Captain Efficient should be thereabouts from a nice high draw.
In the second leg of the Pick 6 Cosmic Star should be cherry ripe having his third run after a layoff and he is drawn on the right side with Lerena up. Halbardier has good form and has the best draw. Rolllwithepunches has plenty of speed which could enable him to overcome a low draw and he has reached a comfortable handicap mark, so can go close again.
In the fifth race over 1160m Mia Moo is 4kg better off at the weights than any other horse according to official merit ratings so is the one to beat, although draw four out of eight makes it a a little bit tricky. Kommietjie Storm won well second time out and could follow up considering she is a full sister to Kommetdieding, but she does have a low draw. Miss Scaletta has talent and is drawn on the right side over a trip on the sharp side, but she is running fresh after a layoff of close to six months. Bakwena can bounce back over a course and distance she should enjoy. Lady Soul is interesting from a high draw over a trip too sharp after a three month layoff. ]
In the seventh race over 2000m Birthright is a scopey sort who should be coming into his own and he can get it right here over a step up in trip which should suit, although he has a tricky draw. Celtic Rush has been knocking on the door and should go close from a fair draw, although his 2,5kg claimer rides 2kg overweight. Strewn Sky has the form to be involved here.
In the last race over 1400m Palace Dancer looks promising and for an in form yard is drawn well with Lerena up over a suitable trip. Kissing Machine should be course and distance suited and is ultra consitent but does have a tough draw. Coffeeberry is drawn wide and this will be tougher than Zimbabwe where he had hard-knocking form. Greenhouse has run two good races but does have a wide draw. Coral Blaze could make his presence felt from pole position.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1400m Exceedingly Glam has a lot in her favour.
In the first leg of the PA Chabal looks the one to beat after a fair debut and expected improvement.
