Pomodoro’s Jet (far side) is pictured just getting the better of the subsequent Gold Rush winner Rapidash and he has been selected to win the 8th race (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Gold Circle
R1 On form 1 WORLD OF PLEASURE stands out after a second and third in just two starts and is the first selection but the race is not as one sided as it may seem. 9 BUZZ BOMB is an interesting runner who has been feature raced in all of his starts and finished 6th in the very strong Cape Slipper formline. Richard Fourie has been booked for the ride which certainly enhances his chances. 3 BURNING MAN is open to further improvement after gelding. If 7 PROHIBITION can repeat a similar effort to his debut run he can be competitive. Respect any betting support for the newcomers (Devon Pretorius: 1-9-3-7)
R2 The field for the opening leg of the Bipot is dominated by first timers and if there is any market support, they must be included. Of the raced runners, 2 RAMA FORCESSA has been gelded after two efforts in juvenile feature races and now in a normal juvenile maiden plate, he should be one of the leading contenders. 3 AFRICAN PRINCE was not disgraced on debut in the Cape Slipper and should improve from that run. 1 TURBO TWENTY was a well beaten 5th on debut when One Stripe won by 6 lengths and came out from that run to win the Cape Nursery. In a weaker field, he should be in the quartet. (Devon Pretorius: 2-3-1-9)
R3 1 LINDBERGH won well in his last start in a competitive field with a light weight and faces a tough task to repeat that effort here. However, he is progressing with every run and is narrow first selection over stable companion 7 ZIL MORIS who has the highest rating in the race after bouncing back to form when winning his last start. 6 MY GOLLY MOLLY has been missing in his last couple of starts but it seems that he is bouncing back to his best form with big strides of improvement in his last three starts. He is also the best weighted in the race. 2 SOLOMONS SEAL is the best of the rest (Devon Pretorius: 1-7-6-2)
R4 5 TEQUILLA SKY is overdue for a win having finished within a length of the winner in her last three starts. This should be the perfect race to shed the maiden tag. The biggest danger could be 6 LOVE SHACK who is a model of consistency and has only managed to finish outside the quartet twice from nine starts. 8 FASTNET FILLY drop back in trip to a sprint after finishing third over 1400m. She’s finishing closer with every start and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her pop up in this field. 2 PILOT FLAME ran a great race on debut when finishing fourth and should improve from that run. (Devon Pretorius: 5-6-8-2)
R5 Based on the 10th of Feb Fly Futura formline, 7 STORM BOULEVARD should have the beating of 5 KWITE A KING however, the latter came from too far back and if a little closer he can turn the tables this time round. 3 CONTINENTAL EXPRESS has improved with every start and shouldn’t be far off but is held by the mentioned runners. 1 SONG TO THE MOON ran on in his latest to finish third but the strength of that formline has yet to be tested. (Devon Pretorius: 5-7-3-1)
R6 7 IGUGULETHU comes in with good form after carrying 61kgs in an open maiden in his last start. He has a strong finish and now steps up to 1400m and back in a normal maiden plate without having to give weight away. He must be respected as a runner with a big chance. 12 MONT LOISIR was a beaten favourite in his last start over track and trip but a chance is taken to redeem himself in a slightly tougher field. 4 HOODIA goes around the turn for the first time but has a good draw to contend with and he should be good enough to finish in the quartet. 3 COSMIC RHYTHM returns after gelding and takes a big drop in trip which will suit him after a few efforts over further. (7-12-4-3)
R7 Competitive fillies and mares handicap and a case can be made for the majority of the field. 6 GO LIKE FLO ended her winning streak when 3 WUGUG came out to win again first run out the maidens. Nothing much separates these two on revised weight terms and it could go either way. However, a chance is taken on 8 SENHORA VICTORIA. She has returned to her best form and despite beaten by 3,25 lengths in her last start, the winner of that race came out to win the listed Cape Fillies Classic a few weeks ago. With form like that behind her name, Senhora Victoria certainly has strong winning claims. Stable companions 5 PHILOSOPHISE and 7 WINDRUNNER must be respected (Devon Pretorius: 8-6-3-7)
R8 11 POMODORO’S JET was well supported in his last start but after an awkward run in transit and a slow run race, he only got into the race late on and ran on into fourth. Ignore that run, he should bounce back and is the one to beat. 6 BLACKBERRY MALT has found form again and depending on how Lindbergh ran earlier in the day could be a guide to Blackberry Malt’s chances here. 8 GAINSFORD has top weight to shoulder and would probably enjoy a little further but he’s never far off and can’t be left out. 2 QUATERMAIN is looking for three wins in a row but does step up in class (Devon Pretorius: 11-6-8-2)
R9 Competitive sprint to end off the meeting and there could be some good value lying around. 4 SEEKING THE ONE has been gelded and ran well above his rating in his last start over 1400m and was not penalised for that run. He drops back to a sprint and is the value selection for the day. 6 CAPTAIN ARROW has been feature race in his last three starts and in last ran in the G1 Cape Flying Championship. He’s now back in a Class 3 handicap and he should go close to winning. 3 ALL ABOUT AL looked like a winner with 50 metres to go but was caught on the line. He’s been consistent and should give another good account of himself. 5 MEU CAPITANO is better than his recent starts suggest and should be able to finish in the quartet (Devon Pretorius: 4-6-3-5)
