Elembee has a good chance in the seventh race but will have to live up to her pedigree and prove she stays the 2000m trip (JC Photos)
Turffontein Inside stages a nine race meeting on Thursday and Elembee is fancied to take the highest rated race on the day, race seven, a MR 94 Handicap for filies and mares over 2000m.
Elembee will likely have to be dropped out from her wide draw of seven out of eight, like she was last time over 1600m. She was unlucky on that occasion as she encountered traffic problems when running on strongly down the inside. She might well have otherwise won that race. She is by Durban July winner Pomodoro out of a five-time winning Casey Tibbs mare who won twice over 2000m so on pedigree she is looking for this trip. The cheek piece-wearing filly does take a fair hold, but if Craig Zackey can settle her well enough she will have one less horse to overtake than last time and will have more time to do it over this trip. Little Marysunshine is talented and needs a good draw being a handy type and she should do well from draw two, although she would probably prefer a touch shorter and she is quite high in the handicap off a 97 meaning she has to carry 61,5kg. Rani Of Kittur won at her first attempt at a middle distance trip having never been disgraced against decent fields after winning on debut over 1160m, so she could be ahead of the handicapper off an 81 and she is well drawn in three and sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight of 52kg. I Am Regal has decent form over middle distance trips and will enjoy the step back in trip after running a fair race over 2400m last time. Rosy Lemon is ideally distance suited, but is four points higher than her last winning mark and might need a bit more than one point relief. She also has to overcome a wide draw.
The Pick 6 starts with an interesting Middle Stakes event over 1450m. Andi’s Girl has hard knocking form since returning from Cape Town, including a win over 1600m and she should enjoy this trip, but she does have to overcome a wide draw. She has 2,5kg claimer Trent Mayhew up, although he rides half-a-kilogram overweight. Back In Business is a very talented gelding and the trip of 1600m in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes last time out proved too far. He is only merit rated 90, but Joe Soma showed how much he rates him by putting him in that Gr 1 weight for age event and he must be included from draw four. House Of Romanov also has an easier task here than he had in his last run back in February so can also be included from draw five. Fully Loaded disappointed last time but won three in a row before that and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip. Master Christmas is also one to consider dropping back to an ideal trip.
In the second leg over 1450m Turbo Power has done quite well over this trip before and being by Twice Over should enjoy stepping back up to it from a good draw in the prevailing fast going. Fostinovo was backed last time with blinkers back on over 1200m and ran well and now gets a plum draw over a more suitable trip. Golden Pavilion comes off a fine effort over this trip and has a fair draw. Fast Duty is distance suited and off a dangerous mark is fairly well drawn. Run For Cover won easily the last time she ran over course and distance but had pole that day and now has a tricky draw and is off an eight point higher mark.
In the sixth race over 1600m Zenobia’s Gold won well on Saturday over this trip on the Standside track and off a three point higher mark has a good draw. Miss Hannigan has been a revelation since being stepped up in trip and can claim a hattrick, although she has a tricky draw. Happy Mo is in fine form too but has to overcome a four point raise and a wide draw.
In the eighth race over 1600m Springer’s only win was over 1700m so she might enjoy the further step up in trip, but she has a tough draw. Gilda Gray is distance suited and is in good form. Avoontoast won last time which might be the signal that she is startint to fulfil her potential and she has always struck as one who would enjoy this trip.
In the ninth race over 1800m Master Ariano was raised six points for his win last time but the form has been well franked with the next four horses in the race all having won since. He can be bankered in the PA despite a wide draw, but in the Pick 6 it is worth considering Tamarisk Tree, who might enjoy the step up in trip, and Trident King who has a form chance if staying the trip.
In the first leg of the bipot Jilted and Mary Read should fight it out.
In the first leg of the PA William Iron Arm is weighted to win it comfortably and can be bankered in the bipot and PA, although Greeting My Master, second in the Gr 3 Sea Cottage Stakes last time, is on the up and should also give a good account of himself.
