The Alec Laird-trained Texas Missile has been tipped to win the Derby Trial event, the Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes over 2000m (JC Photos)
The Listed WSB Hawwaam Stakes over 2000m is the headliner of the Turffontein Standside ten race meeting on Saturday and it could be won by Texas Missile.
The One World colt has been in fine form over this trip and last time out he was at the bottom of his merit rating band in a Middle Stakes event and yet only failed by 0,70 lengths to win it. He is now officially only 1kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, Copper Eagle, so he should be in the shake up if able to overcome a tricky draw of ten. Culturati has the form to be in the shake up here from pole position and he is still unexposed so can improve. Titans Of War is another with scope for improvement and should be a threat. Bellerophon stays well and it is not wise to leave out a son of Vercingetorx in a feature these days. Copper Eagle likely found the Guineas too sharp last time and con bounce back over this more suitable trip.
The Listed Aquanaut Handicap over 2400m is the other stakes race at the meeting and the progressive Aladdin’s Lamp could be the one to side with. The Master Of My Fate gelding arrived on the Highveld just under a year ago with a merit rating of 75 and, as has often been shown, his Cape Town merit rating proved to be suppressed due to the general strength of the racing down there. The only time he has not placed in the first two since arriving was when running over a too sharp 1450m and he he is now rated 103. However, the reason he could still have more to come is that only one of those runs has been as far as 2400m and he won it. He might have been rated only 87 when he won that race, but he proved he stayed the trip and can be ridden confidently with that in mind this time. Navajo Nation has some class and proved last time out he stays by finishing second in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Western Cape Stayers over 2800m. Breeze Over starts slowly but if able to get to the front relatively easily can still be a threat. He is in fact well weighted with Aladdin’s Lamp on their last clash over this trip, being 7kg better off for a mere 0,40 length defeat. Royal Invitation has the form to earn in this race and is going for a distance hattrick. Her last race was in a Listed event and was a comfortable victory so she could have a shout again. Enflame is also going for a distance hattrick and looks to be coming into his own. Battlegound is a decent stayer and Richard Fourie is up which will help his cause.
In the Non-Black Type Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial Curious Girl is progressive and can go in again over a suitable trip. Reece’s Wish is promising and is reliable so should be right there. Into Dancing has the form to be a contender here. Special Star can earn if finding her best form. Babette’s Feast has ability, but has to overcome a wide draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Sosoru made a fair debut behind a good sort and can win this with improvement. Slender Silhouette has always been thereabouts and should be a threat in this line up. Scorpio will be right there if reproducing his penultimate start.
In the eighth race over 1800m Olivia’s Way has plenty of class and will enjoy this trip at this tough course, so should go close especially considering she is officially the joint best-weighted along with Indian Ocean. Choisaanada has a lot of ability but still has to prove he stays this trip, although pole position and the 1,5kg gender allowance of Rachel Venniker will help. The Ultimate King is still coming into his own and he will be a threat. Legend Of Arthur needs to bounce back and could do so back in Jo’Burg after a disappointing Cape Town campaign, although he is likely not at his peak yet. Indian Ocean is a capable sort who didn’t enjoy much luck in her last few starts, so she could have benefited from a layoff.
In the ninth over 1400m Busstopinhounslow packs a strong finish and is versatile so will enjoy this trip. Almond Sea has speed and proved last time she stays this trip. Just Be Lekker has plenty of class and will relish this trip from a good draw. Miami Mountain was outpaced last time over 1100m in a Gr 3 and still won, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Greaterix has been a disappointment, but if bouncing back to his best he will be dangerous over an ideal course and distance.
In the first leg of the Bipot over 1000m Love Not War looks hard to beat.
In the first leg of the PA Wings Of Kildra should get punters through.
