R1
Preview: BONIKA (9) has some fine 1200m form and looks the one to beat. COUNTRY TIME (11) won well last time and the form has been franked and her rider has won a workriders race before. PACIFIC GREEN (8) ran a good race last time over course and distance and can be in the shake up. (Turf Talk 9-11-8)
R2
Preview: TRIPPI T (8) went close over course and distance last time in a relatively good time. GREEN FALCON (7) has some useful form down the straight and should be in the shake up. AUSSENKEHER (4) has been knocking on the door and has a shout with a good rider up. (Turf Talk 8-7-4)
R3
Preview: GIMMELIGHTNING (6) won well over 900m on debut and did it in a fair relative time. GOLDEN TATJANA (2) has 0,70 lengths to make up on Speeding Bullet and is 3kg better off. SPEEDING BULLET (1) was three lengths behind Gimmelightning on debut but was more fancied and improved to win well next time out. RASCOVA (3) won well on debut and could be in the shake up. MISS HANNIGAN (13) is talented and should be right there. WITBLITS (12) could also play a part. (Turf Talk 6-2-1-3-13-12)
R4
Preview: WE’RE JAMMING (8) was 1kg under sufferance in the Merchants and finished a two length second after perhaps being waited with for a touch too long and he looks capable of further improvement. RESONATE (4) should enjoy the course and distance and has a form chance. TROMPIE (6) is talented and quick and should enjoy the step down to the minimum trip. IPHIKO (13) ran a cracker over course and distance last time and is second best in at the weights. ISIVUNGUVUNGU (9) looks to be a 1000m specialist and this strongly built horse should come into his own this season, although he hasn’t run for five months. RIO QUERARI (11), who is best in at the weights, will be a big runner if bouncing back to his best. (Turf Talk 8-4-6-13-9-11)
R5
Preview: PRINCESS CALLA (13) won impressively last time after a layoff and is officially 2kg better off at the weights than any other horse. DESERT MIRACLE (15) is second best in at the weights and is officially 3kg and more better off with the rest and is effective over this trip. CIAO BELLA (2) has class and has done nothing wrong over sprint trips. (Turf Talk 13-15-2)
R6
Preview: UNIVERSAL (3) ran a fine race last time and now has his third run after a layoff over a step up in trip he will enjoy. DO IT AGAIN (11) showed he still has it when running fourth in the July and Kommetdieding was the only horse who performed better than him at the weights, so he could do it here as the officially best weighted horse. RASCALLION (1) is second best in at the weights and has his third run after a layoff over an ideal trip from pole position. NEXUS (8) goes well for Piere Strydom so can’t be written off, although he has it a bit tougher at the weights than in the Peninsula Handicap. NEBRAAS (7) had a tough task from a wide draw in the Summer Cup and his form over this trip is not bad. (Turf Talk 3-11-1-8-7)
R7
Preview: CAPTAIN’S RANSOM (3) is likely at her best over shorter but won this race last year and from draw three can be switched off before using her devastating late burst. MARINA (6) has likely improved from last year when just failing so is a huge runner here too. MAKE IT SNAPPY (8) could still be anything and this race over a step up in trip she should enjoy will show how good she is. RAIN IN HOLLAND (1) will appreciate being back in Grade 1 company and if the others start gasping for air after strong fractions she will be picking them off if back to her best. HOLD MY HAND (4) was unlucky in the Cape Fillies Guineas where she was beaten only 2,25 lengths by Make It Snappy, so could be the dark horse here. (Turf Talk 3-6-8-1-4)
R8
Preview: CHARLES DICKENS’ (9) closing skills can place him among the greats. JET DARK (10) produced a phenomenal finish last year and the yard say he could not be any better going into the race. KOMMETDIEDING (8) is never far off Jet Dark. (Turf Talk 9-10-8)
R9
Preview: NEVADA KING (10) can go close here if able to overcome a tough draw. FUTURE SWING (11) looks to be the Snaith stable elect but also has a tough draw. TIZONA (1) is drawn in pole and looks capable of rising above his current rating. FUTURE TURN (9) had some fair maiden form and starts his handicapping career off a reasonable mark. BILLY SPELLBOUND (12) looks progressive but does have the widest draw. (Turf Talk 10-11-1-9-12)
R10
Preview: NAVYSTRENGTH (13) relished the step up in trip last time and can follow up. HAN SOLO (12) is consistent and should he right there. ARCTIC DRIFT (10) could prove better than his merit rating suggests having just his third start over a staying trip. THEFUTUREISBRIGHT (9) could be a progressive stayer although he did have every chance last time from pole and now has a tougher draw. ONE WAY TRAFFIC (15) will relish the step up in trip and will have a big chance if producing his best although he might have been expected to do a bit better in his two preparation runs. (Turf Talk 13-12-10-9-15)
