Pumpkin Pie relished the step down to a sprint last time and can follow up (JC Photos)
There is some good racing at the Turffontein Inside track on Saturday as a lot of the eight races are higher class events.
The penultimate leg of the Pick 6 is always an important race as it also the last leg of the Jackpot and in this Middle Stakes event over 1200m Pumpkin Pie could go close. This five-year-old Buffalo Bill Cody gelding is officially 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair Precocious and Bright And Brazen, but relished the step down in trip to 1160m last time and won cosily despite experiencing some traffic problems. He was raised five points and does not have the advantage of Divesh Ramkhalawon’s claim this time. However, Muzi Yeni is aboard from a fair draw of four out of eight and Pumpkin Pie off a 97 is at the top of the 94-97 merit-rating band, so is the best weighted male runner. He should make a bold bid now that his best trip has likely been discovered.
The in-form Tony Peter yard not only have one of the two officially best weighted runners i.e. Precocious, but she is drawn in pole position too. Last time she found the 1400m too far and before that it looked like the handicapper had caught up with her as she was only able to stay on for second and third finishes respectively over 1000m and 1160m, following four successive wins. So the weight advantage she has here, which comes about because she is effectively at the top of her merit rated band and she gets a 2kg gender allowance, can help her get close to the winner’s enclosure again. The pole position draw will help too.
Trombolines looks to have plenty of ability and from a good draw under Gavin Lerena could be in the shake up, although strictly on formlines he looks well held by Pumpkin Pie on a line through Vibe SA on 1160m form.
Bright And Brazen led in the Non-Black Type Lady’s Stakes over course and distance last time and was only beaten a length. She has a similar draw, but this is her second run after a layoff.
Never Never Land won the last time he tried this trip, but he does have a wide draw here and is eight points higher in the merit ratings.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Novice Handicap over 1600m and Gallic Victor has a good chance as he is distance suited and well drawn and has been knocking on the door for the in-form Tony Peter yard. Sands Of Valhalla finished seventh in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi Stakes over 1200m, but was staying on in eyecatching fashion and should relish the step up in trip. He was raised eight points for that run so is now off 97, but he could be up to it. Kovil won well last time from a similarly wide draw and carrying just 52kg could make his presence felt as the form of that race has worked out well.
In the next race over 1450m, a Conditions Plate, King Harald has a fair draw and is ideally distance suited and should go close, being the second best in at the weights. Pressonregardless is offically 3,5kg under sufferance with King Harald, but has class and should make his presence felt. Kensal Green is in fine form and has pole position over a suitable trip, but she is officially 3kg under sufferance with King Harald. Captain West looks capable of earning here. The British-bred Calla Lagoon is officially 3kg better off than any other horse, but he did not impress on debut and might be vulnerable.
In the fifth race over 1200m, a MR 101 handicap over 1200m, WhatsdamatterwithU has caught the eye before and looks likely to rise above his current merit rating, so he could be the one to beat from pole position in this MR 101 Open Handicap. Rivera won well second time out and the form has worked out very well, so he must have a big chance under Keagan de Melo off the same mark of 89 as WhatsdamatterwithU, but on the downside he has a wide draw of seven out of seven. Gimme A Fireball impressed second time out and from a fair draw off a 90 merit rating he should be competitive. Bisou Bisou finished second in the Gr 2 Umkhomazi but giving 7,5kg to WhatsdamatterwithU and Rivera will be tough. Kudikaran ran a bit disappointingly last time, but has class and is a contender despite having to run off a 101 merit rating. Winter Voice sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, so is not out of it.
In the sixth over 1200m, a Novice Handicap, Reckless Abandon was expected to make a lot of improvement from his win on debut because he went in without having been able to do a normal amount of work due to inclement weather. He has a tough draw of six out of seven to overcome, but has good gatespeed and early pace and could get to the front without using up too much energy. Little Boy Blue made a good Highveld debut and from a good draw has a fine chance. Drivelikeamaster is consistent and from a good draw should be right there.
In the last race over 1450m Hot Choice won well second time out over 1400m and the form has worked out well, so she can follow up from a good draw off an 85 merit rating with De Melo up. Jack’s Legacy has run three good races and he should be a contender if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of ten. Quevano has an eyecatching booking of Craig Zackey and from a good draw over an ideal course and distanc he can do well despite returning from a short three month layoff.
In the second race over 2000m Guerilla Warfare has enjopyed the step up to middle distances and represents the in-form St. John Gray yard. He could be the one to beat, despite a tricky draw. Rosy Lemon will get a gender allowance in this Classified Stakes race and should make her presence felt from a fair draw.
In the first race over 1450m Steel Pier is knocking on the door over this distance category and has pole position with champion apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson up, so is the one to beat. Kwaito did well against a good sort last time and could be a threat.
