Lead The Charge Is Tipped To Win Race 3 (JC Photos)
Turffontein Standside stages an eight race meeting on Saturday that could help bolster the funds for the big Betway Summer Cup meeting the following Saturday.
The highest rated races at the meeting are a Graduation Plate over 1000m and a MR 95 Handicfap over 1160m.
In the Graduation Plate Lead The Charge is a talented sprinter who can progress further over a suitable course and distance from a favourable high draw of five out of six. He is officially 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair, who are French Bolt and Master Casper. Karate Kid has the 1,5kg claim of Rachel Venniker and is also drawn six out of six so that and his progressive profile will help alleviate the fact that he is officially 6kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair. Rondesbosch is an up and coming sort who can rise above his current merit rating, which officially puts him 3,5kg under sufferance, but he does have the tricky number one draw. Fostinovo should be cherry ripe but does have a tricky low draw and is 9kg under sufferance, although he does have a 2,5kg claimer up. French Bolt and Master Casper are potentially top class, but both are making their seasonal reappearances.
In the MR 95 Handicap over 1160m Richard The First is talented and is drawn on the right side over a suitable trip. He will be hard to beat. Paisley Park is usually thereabouts and can be again from a nice high draw. Slinky Mapimpi ran a blinder last time to beat a classy sort in Fatal Flaw and could follow up over a further drop in trip from a nice high draw. Midnight Gem is an honest sort who is drawn on the right side over a suitable course and distance. Edward Rye is in good form but has a tricky low draw.
In the second leg of the Pick 6, a MR 86 handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, the progressive Across The Pond has a fair draw over a suitable trip and can make it a third win in her last four starts. Doitwithdiamonds in fine form and could make an honest attempt to run on from behind after being dropped out from a tricky draw, although she has a three point raise to contend with for her last win. Elembee should go close if repeating her August run over this trip at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Hillary Step is is fair form and is distance suited and well drawn. Spirited Girl is in fine form and would be the one to beat of it was over 1400m, so the question is whether she will see it out. She has a good draw which will help.
In the fifth race over 2000m, a Middle Stakes event, the long-striding Indian Ocean goes well for Piere Strydom and has a plum draw over a suitable trip. Tamarisk Tree is in hard knocking form and from pole position should go close again. Mount Darwin has talent and is capable of running on so could be dropped out from a wide draw. Royal Edition is in good form and is distance suited and well drawn. Sugar Blast won well last time but does have a four point raise to overcome.
In the sixth race over 1400m On Target won well second time out and off a reasonable 83 merit rating with Lerena up can go close over the same trip, although the tricky draw is a concern. Fast Duty is course and distance suited and only three points higher for his win last time. Libeccio is effective over this trip and has a plum draw. Gimme The Flame should handle the step up in trip and has a fair draw. Sail The Sky won well last time and is only three points higher.
In the last race over 1160m, Fastnet Filly is up against the boys but made a fine Highveld debut and off a 74 merit rating could follow up. Peace Treaty is drawn on the right side and is capable of better than last time. Passage Of Power can be involved if bouncing back to form under Rachel Venniker who gets a handy 1,5kg claim. Prince Of Kildare has the ability to go close but does have a low draw. Secret Chord is capable of better than his last two.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1600m the hardknocking pair Tuscan Star and Lacewing could fight it out.
In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Pretty Analia, Fireburst and Tried And true could get punters through.
