Unzen is ideally suited to the 1400m trip and has some class (JC Photos)
A Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside on Saturday and Unzen is taken to upset Main Defender.
Unzen is ideally course and distance suited and Main Defender could battle to give him 10kg considering he might need the run. Main Defender’s class could pull him through though. Tail Of The Comet is ideally distance suited too and should have come on from his last run. Bingwa can never be ignored as he is top class if things go his way. The Africa House has the ability to be a threat, although the 4kg claimer rides 2kg overweitght.
The seventh is a conditions plate over 1100m and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Time Fo Orchids can mow them down from a nice high draw. She was entered in the Gr 1 Mercury Sprint but that would have been a hard task and as a progressive sort, she could have a good next season ahead of her in female feature sprints. She is 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weight pair Troppo Veloce and Elegant Ice, but could rise above her current merit rating. Troppo Veloce has a good record down the straight at this track and should be right there from draw five out of seven. Exchange Student is in fair form, although she has to prove she enjoys this slight step up in trip. So Seductive was well beaten by Exchange Student last time, but had faced some good sorts before that without being disgraced. Elegant Ice has been in good form and has a form chance but against her is the number one draw.
The fifth race is a MR 96 Handicap over 1000m. Chyavana is ideally course and distance suited and doesn’t face an inspiring field. He can win this despite being drawn one. Rainbow Reward is consistent but also has a low draw. Dr Faustus has been well beaten in three starts out the maidens, but has faced decent fields. Rollwiththepunches has become disappointing. He will be a runner if bouncing back as one with exceptional early pace. Karangetang could earn a cheque again.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Secret Chord has the best form, but returns from a four month layoff. First-timer Inspector James is by What A Winter and is a half-brother to a pair of two-time winners, so from a plum high draw he is taken to beat Secret Chord. King Harry and Hat Man could earn in this line up and Espinoza is a Rafeef half-brother to a two-time winner so could earn here.
In the sixth race over 1000m Longsword is on the up and could mow them down, although his draw of four out of ten could be tricky. Lovegrass is on the up and from a good should be able to handle a three point raise for his win last time. Esquevelle drops into easier company and from a nice high draw with Piere Strydom up should make a bold bid. Nkandla Gold might have been undone by a low draw last time as he was progressing nicely before that and he should finish alongside Longsword on the form of their previous clash, although the 2,5kg apprentice allowance for Longsword’s jockey Trent Mayhew could swing it in his favour. Munchkin can never be ignored as one who works like a top class horse at home.
In the ninth over 1600m Claw, Shinto Shrine and Celtic Rush should get punters through.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1160m Pointer has been knocking on the door and now runs over an ideal trip from a nice high draw.
In the first leg of the PA over 1000m Salenio Peninsula is by Vercingetorix and would not have to be as good as his half-brother Barbaresco to win this. Bellisivar is ideally distance suited and should be right there.
