Just Be Lekker reverts to sprints, which have yielded her only two career wins to date (JC Photos)
Turffontein Standside on Saturday hosts the annual Henneman Memorial meeting, which has nine competitive races.
The Non-Black Type Betway Mythical Flight Sprint over 1100m is the headliner and the filly Just Be Lekker could be the one to side with. Her Candice Dawson-trained stablemate Little Ballerina returned from Cape Town with a bang, winning the Gr 2 SA Fillies Nursery last Saturday, and Just Be Lekker also brings decent Cape Town form. Her form in that strong centre was from 1200m to 1600m and in the sprint event she was well beaten. However, that as in a Gr 2 sprint and she finished ahead of Kiss Me Captain, who finished fourth in the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint on Saturday. Furthermore, Just Be Lekker is unbeaten in two sprint starts on the Highveld. Her lowish draw of four might be against her though and it is also never easy against the boys in a straight handicap with no allowances. Richard The First is in good form and should be effective over the sprint trip. However, he also has a low draw. Mount Pilatus also has a form chance, but is drawn one. Dreamland has always had talent and is in fine recent form and he has a nice draw of six out of eight. Goceckwithlove could still improve and is drawn on the right side. Jasiri has the plum standside draw, but will need to up his game on his last two runs. Lily Of The Nile had some fair Cape Town form and has her second run on the Highveld following a moderate first effort and is is her second run after a layoff too. Real Relief will have to bounce back from two poor efforts.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1800m Donna Mo looks to be a progressive sort and will not only enjoy the step up in trip but is drawn in pole. Elembee is 3,5kg better off with Bellevarde for a five length beating, if apprentice claims are ignored, and she is a consistent earner. Bellevarde should beat Elembee on paper and although she has been set 62kg she has the advantage of a 4kg claimer up. Special Charm is consistent and can do well, although she would prefer further. Opera Glass is hard to ignore.
In the second leg Melech ran disappointingly in the Gr 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes, but on previous form is the one to beat. He is best in at the weights and a chance is taken on bankering him from a good draw. Bingwa has a lot of talent, but needs things to go his way. This is the sort of race where he could shine. Atticus Finch is also talented and begins his quest to qualify for the Hollywoodbets Durban July here, although he will likely need the run.
In the sixth race over 1400m On The Horizon return from a layoff that might have benfited her being a young and up and coming horse and this should be an ideal trip on her return and she has a plum draw. Duenna is on the up and should make a bold bid too.
In the eight race over 1160m Swing Upon A Star can put his poor run last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville behind him and on course and distance form has a fine chance. Aussenkehr is consistent but has to jump from draw one. Cosmic Star is in good form and looks to be the other one too include.
In the last race over 1160m San Simon has a nice high draw and has good form over course and distance. Suryavarman should relish the slight step up in trip and should be staying on strongly from a high draw. Esquevelle is course and distance suited too and should be thereabouts. Silver Tudor can’t be ignored over a suitable course and distance with a jockey who gets on well with him aboard. Longsword won well last time when stepped down to a sprint and is also a must include.
In the first leg of the bipot VJ’s Angel van follow up on her convincing win last time against an uninpiring field whom she has to give weight to.
In the first leg of the PA Priceless should be cherry ripe and can beat home Rosy Lemon and Princess Kesh.
