Rio Querari has been selected to win the eighth race by the At The Races tipster (Picture: Wayne Marks)
At The Races
1 12:10 PM – Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Maiden Plate
Well-bred GET IMPRESSED was returning from a rest, during which he was gelded, when finishing 3rd at this track last time and with any improvement could well open his account from gate No 1. SPEED RACER showed enough as a 2yo to suggest he will be competitive on his reappearance, which also applies to LIGHTNING GLOW after a promising debut 3rd almost five months ago. The betting should provide clues to the chances of the newcomers.
Top Tip: SPEED RACER (3)
Watch out for: GET IMPRESSED (1)
2 12:40 PM – Hollywoodbets Durbanville Country Series Maiden Plate (F & M)
Tricky. Well-bred THREE COINS made good improvement last time when finishing behind both NILE THE BOSS and LOVE SHACK over 1000m but, with further progress expected over this trip, could turn the tables from gate No 1. PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN is held on that form but ought to improve over the extra. ROCKING PEONIE is another likely improver so could have a say despite a wide draw. SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL has the form and experience to stake a claim too. Newcomers DEVILISHLYGORGEOUS, GIMMETHATPEARL and DOITWITHDIAMONDS must be respected, especially if the market speaks in their favour.
Top Tip: PINEAPPLEMINTGREEN (8)
Watch out for: SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL (5)
3 1:10 PM – Cape Racing Sales Maiden Plate (F & M)
SONG OF MYSELF outran big odds when finishing a close-up 3rd on debut over this track and trip. She ought to have gained plenty from that experience and needn’t improve a great deal to confirm that promise and open her account. Both TRES CHIC and MILLIONDOLLAR GIRL are held on that form but could get into the picture if building on the progress they made last time. NIGHT VIGIL, however, may pose a bigger a threat on the evidence of her eye-catching debut when running on well over a shorter trip. Newcomers SILENT WHISPERER and QHAWEKAZI are worth a market check.
Top Tip: QHAWEKAZI (8)
Watch out for: SONG OF MYSELF (7)
4 1:45 PM – Cape Turf Club Syndicates Maiden Plate
Tricky. MOONACRES and IGUGULETHU ran improved races over this course and distance last time and are likely to fight for victory if building on that progress, although the latter will have to overcome a wide draw to do so. CONNERY has another awkward starting berth to negotiate but he did give the impression he will have more to offer over this distance when running on strongly to finish 3rd over 1000m last time. COLONEL GREEN ought to improve with the benefit of his debut outing, while newcomers CALL TO UNITE and BIG UNIT are of interest too. RAF’S ROCKET is another to keep an eye on.
Top Tip: COLONEL GREEN (6)
Watch out for: MOONACRES (5)
5 2:20 PM – RaceCape Powered By Hollywoodbets Maiden Plate (F & M)
Competitive maiden. PRINCESS IZZY improved when running on to finish 2nd over 1250m last time and ought to make further progress over the extra. TEQUILA SKY and TRIP TO MAPUTO are also likely to improve for this step up in trip but are drawn wide. EPIKLEROS appears the pick of the Snaith runners on riding arrangements so must be respected on her reappearance, having run well in open company as a 2yo last season. Newcomers HELIOTROPE and ENCHANTING CHOICE have attractive pedigrees so are worth a market check.
Top Tip: EPIKLEROS (2)
Watch out for: MARIA CHRISTINA (3)
6 2:55 PM – Gulf Racing Club Class 4
Wide open. RAPIDASH (gelded), SPRING PALACE (front runner better on firm ground), last-start winner STEADFAST and debut scorer GREEN WITH ENVY all showed promise during their 2yo campaigns and are likely to improve this term after respective absences. The latter, however, could be worth siding with after an impressive victory first time out from a wide draw. BOOGIEFIED is weighted to get closer to last-start conqueror BRIGHT BLUE SKY, although both should have more to offer over this distance. GALLIC DREAM is a smart 3yo colt who ought to do better over this distance and from a good draw.
Top Tip: RAPIDASH (1)
Watch out for: BOOGIEFIED (6)
7 3:30 PM – Hollywoodbets Settlers Trophy (Listed) (Handicap)
SOMERSET MAUGHAM won this race last year in his first attempt at 2000m. He has maintained a good level of form/consistency since and got the better of a subsequent winner when winning over 1600m last time. He races off a career-high mark and is drawn wide but could represent the value in the race, so gets the nod ahead of stablemate and fellow last-start winner TRIPLE TIME who looked back to his best last time with the blinkers removed. LOVE IS A ROSE, MASTER REDOUTE and BARATHEON are all capable of staking a claim. THE FUTURIST and FUTURE SWING, in his first go at 2000m, could have a say too.
Top Tip: TRIPLE TIME (1)
Watch out for: LOVE IS A ROSE (2)
8 4:05 PM – Follow Cape Racing On Social Media Cape A Stakes
Good race. RIO QUERARI sets the standard and is slung in under these conditions will be hard to beat. MUFASA is one of just two course-and-distance winners in the race and is capable of giving cheek, as are PIROSHKA and stablemate MR COBBS who will need a hot pace to aim at to produce his best. SPEED MACHINE and TEMPTING FATE have the means to get into the picture too.
Top Tip: PIROSHKA (1)
Watch out for: MR COBBS (2)
9 4:40 PM – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Cape B Stakes
Competitive concluding event. MOJO MAN is a progressive 3yo who has won both starts with blinkers fitted. He faces a tough test under 60kg against older hard knockers from the widest draw, but he has the speed to lead and could prove up to the task. BENJAMIN, BLUFF ON BLUFF and in-form hat-trick-seeking filly PORQUE TE VAS get weight from their younger rival and are likely to keep him honest, while ROD THE MOD should remain competitive, despite a 4-point penalty, with his headgear also retained. Returning PACIFIC GREEN and stablemate GIMMELIGHTNING aren’t devoid of ability and could feature.
Top Tip: BENJAMIN (1)
Watch out for: BLUFF ON BLUFF (6)
