Thunderstruck winning the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The headliner at the Turffontein Standside ten race meeting on Saturday is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1000m, which forms the last leg of the Pick 6, and dual Gr 1-winning sprinter Thunderstruck is the obvious one to side with.
He won the Gr 1 Jonsson Workwear Computaform Sprint over this course and distance in his last start and will be using this as a warm up for bigger things, but should be good enough to prevail despite a low draw being a concern on a track, which by trends, favours high draws. Rulership was a two length third in the Computaform and now not only gets 2kg , but he is also drawn on the right side, so he is going to be a threat. Sheldon is a useful and consistent sprinter who is 6kg better off with Mover And Shaker for a 3,80 length beating on the Inside course. Mover And Shaker has a lot of pace and can never be ignored over the minimum trip. Cosmic Star is in fine form and drawn on the right side so could be dangerous carrying just 52kg. Far Away Winter is ultra talented and will be interesting running fresh.
The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m will also form a warm up for some classy individuals. Don’t Cry For Me won a fine race over 1200m second time out and made the impression he would enjoy further. He should be seen in Champions Season features. Truth was a facile winner over 1160m on debut and the form has worked out well. The Heavenly Blue colt out of a Frankel mare is also bred to go this trip and further. Tintamarre won well second time out and as a half-brother to the hard-knocking graded performer White Pearl can be involved here. First-timer One More Star is by One World and is a half-brother to Triple Crown winner Malmoos. Moonlight Trader could be involved if reproducing his maiden win over this trip.
In the second leg over 1400m Zip Code does have a wide draw but should be thereabouts after two good runs to date, including over this trip category last time. Top Seed is by Legislate out of a Trippi mare and is a homebred by Khaya Stables. Festival Of Magic was eased out of the race last time and had severe post race distress but on previous form is a contender. Ermitage has shown enough to be able to earn. Livebythesword has his third run after a layoff and if able to reproduce his second run, when well clear of Ermitage over 1600m, he could represent place value.
In the sixth race over 2000m Douglas Dragon ran well when stepped up to this trip last time and can go close if able to overcome a wide draw. Strewn Sky has some good form and looks likely to enjoy this step up in trip being by Potala Palace out of a Victory Moon mare. Master Tik Tok ran well over 1800m last time and should be in the shake up. Taxhaven finished a highly creditable fifth in the Gr 1 SA Derby and should romp home if able to reproduce that run, but he failed dismally when unplaced next time out in a maiden over this trip. Main Mission has a chance if returning to his best in his third run after a layoff.
In the seventh race over 2000m Dynamic Lass is the one to beat if able to reproduce her last run when close up to Frances Ethel in the maidens last time inn January. However, she is six years old and has only had four runs so must have issues. Kiss Of Fire is by Erupt so she should enjoy the step up in trip after some fair form over shorter, but she does have a tricky draw. Angel Of Heart could earn if repeating her last start over 1600m, but she has to prove she stays the trip. Teo Torriatte has run on nicely in some of her runs, but has disappointed lately, so needs to bounce back. Perform is not a relaible sort and is widely drawn but is capable of placing.
In the eight over 2400m Weather Wizard won well in his first try at a staying trip and can build on it. Mambo Come Tesio has shown decent form over staying trips and has a chance again. Twenty Drachma’s looks to have the potential to develop into a useful stayer so has to be included.
In the first leg of the Bipot What A Lucy looks to have the best form in this uninspiring line up but does have a low draw which could be a problem. Ice Cap is improving and should be thereabouts. First-timer One Party is by One World and is a half-sister to dual Gr 3-winning stayer Gimme One Night. Intro is drawn on the right side and has a form chance here. Follow The Sun has the tough number one draw but can earn on form and should be improving.
In the first leg of the PA Frozen Fantasy and Too Late My Mate should get punters through.
