Competitive opener. ST KITTS was fancied in both starts and should, on pedigree, be better suited to the extra 200m, so should make her presence felt. STAR IN WINTER just missed over a similar trip last time and should go close again with further improvement likely. LADY MISTICO was on debut when finishing ahead of that rival in a feature and should improve with that outing, so must be respected too. SAY YES, FUN ZONE and DISTINCTION are all open to any amount of improvement after fair introductions. Respect any betting support for newcomers CAMILLE CLAUDEL and QUICKSTEP.

 

Top Tip: LADY MISTICO (7)

Watch out for: SAY YES (10)

 

R2 – tabonline.co.za Maiden Juvenile Plate

A typically competitive Cape Town 2yo maiden. ITSRAININGWILLIAM has the most race experience of these runners and should again play a leading role. Both CAPITAINE MAURICE and MARVEL WILLIAM are likely to improve after pleasing debut efforts, so should make their presence felt. Stable talk regarding the chances of newcomers FUTURE TURN, MUCHO DINERO and SETTLE THE DUST is encouraging, so market support for those runners should be taken seriously. MASTER OF AFRICA and CORONATION TIME are other first-timers worth noting.

 

Top Tip: FUTURE TURN (4)

Watch out for: ITSRAININGWILLIAM (6)

 

R3 – In Memory Of Mike Rattray Hybrid Stakes

A race dominated by the Bass-Robinson runners. Stablemates MR COBBS (2nd) and AFRICAN RAIN (3rd) went close in a course-and-distance Grade 1 when last seen and the former, who will need a hot pace to aim at, should confirm the form of that race on better weight terms. Riding arrangements, however, suggest TRIP OF FORTUNE is preferred. He won his only start over 1000m and returned to form last time when tried with blinkers, which are retained – competitive showing expected. Lightly raced IRISH MORNING is an unknown over this trip and, as such, is best kept safe. BARZALONA can earn too.

 

Top Tip: MR COBBS (1)

Watch out for: AFRICAN RAIN (2)

 

R4 – WSB Maiden Plate

NAVY STRENGTH has been costly to follow. He remains consistent, so wouldn’t be winning out of turn, and is likely to give another competitive account of himself. NAUSHON made the expected improvement stepping up to this trip last time and should have more to come – can fight it out. PETROSSIAN has met both those rivals and will need to improve to turn the tables, though shouldn’t be far off the mark. FUTURISMO and THOUSAND SHIPS could play a role if building on the improvement shown last time. AEROFORCE is probably better than his last start suggests and appears the stable elect – dark horse.

 

Top Tip: NAVY STRENGTH (1)

Watch out for: NAUSHON (2)

 

R5 – Racehorse Owners Association Fm 78 Handicap (F & M)

Wide open. ISLAND TREASURE acquitted herself well on handicap debut in a stronger race, staying on over a shorter trip which suggests she’ll improve for this step up in distance. PERFECT TRUST was 2nd in a stronger race over course and distance before her last-start success and ought to play a role in the finish if overcoming a wide draw. On that form, RIVER CAFE and WHATSINADREAM should get closer. PANZANELLA is on the up and could make her presence felt from a better draw. MARGIN CALL and TREASURE HUNT are also drawn wide but remain capable of getting a look in with some luck in running.

 

Top Tip: RIVER CAFE (1)

Watch out for: ISLAND TREASURE (2)

 

R6 – Racing240 Middle Stakes

Good race. Stablemates GAUDIS MASTERPIECE and TOP QUALITY are far from the finished article but have shown enough to suggest that they could be competitive with improvement expected after gelding. TRANSACT and CHOLLIMA are unexposed over this distance but remain capable of making their presence felt if reproducing their best form. WINCHESTER MANSION caught the eye over this trip last time and will be hard to hold out if building on that run.

 

Top Tip: GAUDIS MASTERPIECE (1)

Watch out for: TRANSACT (2)

 

R7 – WSB Fm 92 Handicap (F & M)

Tricky filly and mare sprint but probably best to side with unexposed STIPTELIK who has done nothing wrong in her short career. She’s distance suited, boasts solid form and is likely to improve after a break. Top-weight MARMALISA will enjoy a return to this class and distance so could return to form. Last-start winner DAD’S CATCH will be looking to make all again and is effective over the extra, so must be kept safe. FUSILLADE and QUICK BREEZE could make their presence felt too. CELTIC NIGHT and IRISH WILDFLOWER are useful but better over further.

 

Top Tip: MARMALISA (1)

Watch out for: HIGH HOSANNA (3)

 

R8 – Next Meeting 13 April Kenilworth Middle Stakes

Several with chances in an open race. TRIVIAL MATTER has been sparingly raced but obviously has ability. He led throughout when winning after a break and gelding last time and could improve further to complete the hat-trick. CAPTAIN’S KNOT has bounced back to form reverting to sprints and is likely to pose the biggest threat. SILVER SALMON and PERSISTANCE were beaten by the selection last time but should get closer on these terms. CAPTAIN DIZZY and CAPTAIN MIKE are consistent sprinters with the form and experience to stake a claim too. GEM KING and TRAVEL MASTER are not without chances either.

 

Top Tip: CAPTAIN’S KNOT (3)

Watch out for: TRIVIAL MATTER (4)