Argo Alley has been tipped to win the headliner at Turffontein Inside on Saturday
The highest rated race at the Turffontein Inside meeting on Saturday is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1450m and the St. John Gray-trained Argo Alley could be the one to beat.
In his last start over 1600m Argo Alley lost by a short-head and beat Texas Red by three lengths receiving 8kg. He receives 8kg from Texas Red again. In his penultimates start Argo Alley won over 1400m, beating Melech by 4,10 lengths receiving 10kg and he receives 8kg from him this time, so should confirm the form. The one detractor is Argo Alley’s tricky draw of six in the eight horse field. Texas Red will appreciate te step down to 1450m and should make a bold bid from a fair draw of four as he has class on his side and goes well for Kabelo Matsunyane. Melech is also a classy sort and he should do well from pole position over an ideal course and distance under Gavin Lerena. Callmegretrix won a Listed race over 1600m last time out against the girls and she is officially the best weighted runner here. She also has a good draw of two and this consistent sort should enjoy the course and distance too, but it is never easy against the boys. Barbaresco has class and should run well fresh over this trip, but he does have a tough draw to overcome.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1200m Arizona Magic was green and outpaced early over 1000m on debut but finished in eyecatching style, so looks hard to beat here over a step up in trip she will relish from a good draw. Ubermensch has only shown once in five starts but can be forgiven his last start because it was in KZN, while his first three starts were in the strong centre of Cape Town. If able to repeat his penultimate run he could be in the shake-up. Monkey Puzzle was beaten 4.10 lengths into second on his Highveld debut and should be thereabouts with a repeat. One Eye On Vegas is by Buffalo Bill Cody out of a Fastnet Rock mare, so shoud have the speed to be a contender. District Attorney has Lerena up and could improve on his debut.
The fifth race is a maiden over 1800m and the hard-knocking Follow The Master has an ideal opportunity to get off the mark here from a fair draw of three. Jason Gates gets on well with him and he is proven over middle distances. World Order has been knocking on the door over 1600m and will be a threat over a step up in trip he should handle, but he does have a wide draw to overcome. Truro Legacy is well regarded and although beaten four lengths by World Order when making his debut he is capable of improvement and will relish the step up in trip, so should do well from pole position. Those three can get punters through.
In the sixth over 1800m Witching Hour has a fine opportunity to get off the mark being drawn in pole position over a step up in trip she will enjoy being by Rafeef out of a Fort Wood mare who won up to 1750m. She has hard knocking form with three seconds in succession and she can go one better here. Rejuvenate disappointed last time, but has a better draw here and she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Madame Pompadour beat a below par Reuvenate by five lengths last time but has another wide draw to overcome and this long time maiden has never been tried beyond a mile before. Sapphire Sun was two lengths behind Madame Pompadour and three lengths in front of Rejuvenate last time over 1600m and could still improve and might stay the trip on pedigree from a tricky five draw. Amazon Queen should improve on her reasonable debut.
In the eighth over 1200m Karate Kid is a talented sort and he should be cherry ripe having his third run after a rest and he will be hard to beat if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of nine carrying topweight of 62kg. Gimmethegoodlife goes for a hattrick under in-form Serino Moodley and is drawn quite well. Before his two wins over this distance at Hollywoodbets Greyville, one on turf and one on the poly, he ran downfield on his Highveld debut but that was over 1600m and he should prefer this trip. Passage Of Power ran well the last time he went over this course and distance and he is now five points lower in the merit ratings, so if able to overcome a wide draw he could be in the shake up. Rollwiththepunches is drawn in pole and can do well if bouncing back. Nyaka Nyaka has an officially tough task at the weights but did well under similar circumstances last time.
In the ninth over 1200m Vibe SA has come into his own but does have a tricky draw. Bumps Last Grind shoud go close if repeating his last start. Hemisphere has shown ability and could till improve.
In the first leg of the Bipot Time For Charity looks hard to beat.
In the first leg of the PA over 1200m Queen Of Pearls is by Hawwaam and is a half-sister to Gr 2 White Pearl and she has to beat Fish Hawk who made a fair debut over 1000m.
In the first race over 1200m Stone Of Scone will be a tough nut to crack from a good draw over an ideal trip.
