Winds Of Change, who is affectionately called “Harold” by his connections due to the famous “Winds Of Change” speech made by Britush Prime Minister Harold McMillan in the SA parliament in 1960, is weighted to win the first race at Turffontein on Saturday (JC Photos)
The Turffontein Standside meeting on Saturday has nine races and is headlined by a Graduation Plate over 1000m and a MR 101 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m.
The Graduation Plate is the first race and the Mike Azzie-trained Winds Of Change is 6,5kg better in at the weights than any other horse according to official merit ratings. He had become disappointing, but gelding has brought the necessary “winds of change”. He should have come on from his last start when a close up third over 1160m at this course. He is drawn on the wrong side by trends, but the draw should be manageable in this small field. Champion jockey Gavin Lerena is up and Winds Of Change, who is affectionately called “Harold” by his connections, looks ready to return to his true self.
Trajanus is officially 12,5kg under sufferance with Winds Of Change, but is very quick and looks to be on the up.
African Pride was a touch disappointing last Saturday over this course and distance in the Sophmore 1000, but is now drawn on the right side and could do better considering his narrow third in the Listed Golden Loom over this course and distance.
Kaalvoet had some reasonable form in Cape Town behind the like of Good For You and The US Of A, but he finished last in the Sophomore 1000 last Saturday also needs to bounce back.
Chapbook has shown some ability and could earn from the favourable standside draw.
I’m A Fireball is the second best in at the weights and can boast a 1,95 length sixth in the Gr 1 Gold Medallion last season. He wasn’t disgraced in his reappearance last time out over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Greyville and is a player if able to overcome the number one draw.
In the MR 101 Handicap over 1160m for fillies and mares, Elegantrix has plenty of speed and class, but is another one who will have to overcome a low draw.
Tuscan Romance sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and is another low drawn runner who makes appeal.
Poblano caught the eye last time and would have been fancied if this had been over 1000m, but she does stay this trip and could represent good value.
Blizzard Snow is better than her last run, which did not pan out well and can make amends from a nice draw under in-form visiting rider Mickaelle Michel.
Green Flash has a nice high draw and is in hard-knocking form, so should be a player.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m The Playboy Bomber has a plum draw over a trip which should be ideal.
Jordan ran well last time and is ideally distance suited, but does have a tough draw to overcome.
Vesuvio ran a cracker last time over this trip and has a similar draw of six.
Skittle Skies missed the break in the Grand Heritage and lost many lengths, but is a contender here if jumping on terms.
Banha Bridge sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and has Yeni up from a good draw, so can’t be ignored.
In the fifth race over 1600m Guerilla Warfare went close on Tuesday over 1400m and is capable of winning here from pole position.
Page Boy has been a touch disappointing, but has the ability to earn if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the sixth over 1400m Peregrine Falcon enjoys this trip and is a big runner from a good draw.
Fostinovo is knocking on the door and is ideally distance suited and well drawn.
Legendary rallied well to win on Grand Heritage day over this trip and will be a player if able to overcome a wide draw and a three point higher mark.
Oklahoma Smokeshow won his maiden well over 1500m and off a reasonable merit rating of 72 can make a bold bid from pole position.
In the eighth over 1160m Xenophon is a talented sort who is knocking on the door and can record a third career win from a middle draw.
It’s Personal is in fine form and off a three point higher mark for his latest win should be in the shake up from a nice high draw.
Mister Wilson has 1,90 lengths to make up on Xenophon and should be in the shake up from a high draw.
His Lordship has plenty of ability and can make his presence felt if low draws prove to not be disadvantageous.
Top Division could earn from a high draw.
In the ninth over 1160m Waiting On Charlie went close when stepped down to 1000m and can go one better here.
Whirlybird should beat Maverick Queen on the weight turnaround and is a contender.
Maverick Queen ran a cracker over 1200m last time and this consistent sort should be right there.
United Offer has some class and is interesting stepped back down to this trip.
Angel’s Oasis is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and had some fair Cape Town form, so is interesting from a high draw.
The second race over 1160m could go to Gulf Of America from a nice high draw.
The third race over 1160m could go to Trombolines and Lovable must not be ignored.
