R1

1 SCRATCHED Announce colt, three-parts brother to Grade 3-placed six-time winner Last Chirp.

2 Elusive Fort colt out of a once-winning Trippi half-sister to a Listed winner.

3 Showed pace when third over 800m on debut, finished lame.

4 Good second on debut, difficult number 1 draw by trends.

5 SCRATCHED By Bezrin out of four-time winning Captain Al mare, can improve on poor debut.

6 Flying The Flag colt of three-time winning Listed-placed Muhtafal mare.

7 Coup De Grace colt out of unplaced Silvano half-sister to 3X Grade 1 winner Gypsy’s Warning.

8 Form of his 1,25 length fifth in January behind smart Set To Go has worked out well

Preview: VASILIKOS (8) has bumped good fields in thee starts and been close up every time and on form should go close although he does have a low draw which is unfavourable by trends and returns from a three month layoff. EXISTENTIALIST (2) is well-bred and appears to be the elect of a yard in flying form. MERCANTOUR (4) ran a fair second on debut and although well held by Vasilikos on formlines he could improve. LEBANESE POUND (3) showed speed on debut and finished lame and returns from a four month layoff. STELLA BRILLANTE (6) should have speed on pedigree. (Selection 8-2-4-3-6)

 

 

R2

1 Has faced good fields and been well beaten but could earn here.

2 SCRATCHED Was far from disgraced in a Grade 3 last time but does have the difficult number one draw by trends.

3 By Time Thief out of a Dynasty half-sister to a Grade 2-winning sprinter, can improve on 2 moderate efforts.

4 What A Winter filly out of Silvano three-time winning half-sister to Grade 3 winning sprinter Magico.

5 Gimmethegreenlight filly out of a twice-winning Fort Wood half-sister to 3 X Grade 1-winning Gypsy’s Warning.

6 Capetown Noir filly out of a Northern Guest own-sister to Met winner Angus

7 Gimmethegreenlight full-sister to smart Permesso Avant, should improve on fair debut when 0,25l behind no. 1.

8 Canford Cliffs half-sister to four-time winner Jacqueline (Jackson), 0,75 lengths to find on no. 7

9 Recorded same time as no. 3 in different race on the same day on her debut.

 

Preview: TRENTINO (7) is a full-sister to the easy debut winner Permesso Avant, who has run three good races since, and the Pettigrew yard horses usually improve with a run. BLUE WATERS (4) is another well-bred first-timer from the country’s current leading yard. UP THE IRISH (8) has 0,75 lengths to find on Trentino. ACT OF MERCY (1) in her third start was 0,25 lengths in front of Trentino when the latter made her debut. WOW (9) looks capable of improving and Khumalo is up. (Selection 7-4-8-1-9)

 

 

R3

1 Has 5,75 lengths to make up on no. 3 over this trip

2 Fair debut from a wide draw, should improve and has a shout.

3 Beaten two lengths by a promising sort last time and has a fair draw over same C&D

4 Pomodoro full-brother to three-time winner Ballon D’Or who won on debut over 1200m.

5 Has 3,25 lengths to find on no. 3 but now has a worse draw.

6 Global View colt out of one-time winning Mambo In Seattle half-sister to a Silvano Gr 3 winner.

7 SCRATCHED Has 3,35 lengthts to find on no. 3 but now has a worse draw.

8 Is held by a number of these on his last run when slow away.

 

Preview: CLIMATE CONTROL (2) was not disgraced on debut from a wide draw and should improve. EYE OF THE PROPHET (3) holds a number of the contestants here on his last run. GOLDEN PROSPECT’S (4) full-brother won on debut over 1200m. and has won twice since over this distance category. GOOD COUNCIL (5) has over three lengths to find on Eye Of The Prophet. LETSGOGLOBAL (6) is interestingly bred and represents a yard who punch above their weight. (Selection 2-3-4-5-6)

 

 

R4

1 Has hard-knocking form as a juvenile and returns from four month layoff after fair Cape Town runs.

2 SCRATCHED Usually thereabouts in moderate fields.

3 SCRATCHED Close up over 1000m last time and this Time Thief filly is a half-sister to Grade 3 Fillies Mile winner Gee For Go.

4 SCRATCHED Fair form in moderate fields and well drawn over suitable trip.

5 Hard-knocking form in similar fields and drawn in pole over suitable trip.

6 Continually disappoints and will have to find earlier form.

7 Has nearly five lengths to find on no. 4

8 SCRATCHED Futura filly and a half-sister to debut winner I Am Regal (Canford Cliffs).

 

Preview: TWICE A MIRACLE (5) is knocking hard and looks to be the stable elect on jockey bookings so can go close from pole position. QUEST FROM AFAR (1) has the best form but returns from a four month layoff having had just one run in Cape Town as a three-year-old. TIME SILHOUETTE (3) (SCRATCHED) has an interesting step to a mile being a half-sister to Gee For Go, who won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile. PRETTY IN PEARLS (4) (SCRATCHED) has 2,50 lengths to find on Twice A Miracle but does have a better draw than last time. IDEAL FUTURE (8) (SCRATCHED) has interesting breeding and was due to run on Thursday. (Selection 5-1-3-4-8 )

 

 

R5

1 Looks the one to beat on fromlines and is well drawn over a suitable trip.

2 Has 1,75 lengths to find on no. 3 on 1400m form.

3 Hard-knocking and is distanced suited but has a tricky draw.

4 Ran a fair second last time over 1400m, should enjoy step up in trip.

5 SCRATCHED Inconsistent but can earn if repeating penultimate start over 1400m.

6 Moderate form and would prefer further.

7 Well beaten in two sprints but will enjoy step up in trip.

8 Ran a fair race last time and if Twice A Miracle does well in previous race could be a factor.

 

Preview: JAIPUR JUEWEL (1) is a ten-run maiden but is always thereabouts and comes out well on formlines here and is well drawn. MCBESI (3) has been knocking on the door for a long time and has gone close over this trip before. PORFIRO (8) is drawn in pole and the peformance of Twice A Miracle should be watched in the previous race although he did make breathing noises and on pedigree the step up in trip might not suit. BLONDE ACT (2) is always thereabouts but does have a tricky draw over this ideal trip. MICHELIN STAR (4) ran a fair second last time over 1400m and on pedigree should enjoy the step back up in trip. (Selection 1-3-8-2-4)

R6

1 Summer Cup third-placed but is getting on and last few runs have seen a slight downturn.

2 Best in at the weights, needs to bounce back over a suitable trip.

3 Been in fine form over further but effective over this trip.

4 Smart and has third run after a long layoff and should relish the step up in trip.

5 Won well in a handicap last time but is 2kg under sufferance with best weighted.

6 Consistently thereabouts but has a tough task at the weights.

7 Has an impossible task at the weights.

 

Preview: PAISLEY PARK (4) has been looking for this trip and this smart sort should step up to the plate against these exposed sorts. GREEN HAZE (3) has been in fine form since being switched off at the back and although recent good form is over further he is effective over this trip. EXPRESSFROMTHEUS (2) is best in at the weights but needs to bounce back to best. GOLDEN PHEASANT (1) has plenty of ability but is showing signs of a down turn in form. IMPERIAL MASTER (5)won a handicap well last time but has a tougher task here. (Selection 4-3-2-1-5)

 

 

R7

1 Joint best-weighted and has a fine chance back against the girls if bouncing back.

2 Has proved herself in features lately and trainer has always wanted to try this trip.

3 Disappointing last two starts but has same sire, Soft Falling Rain, as SA Derby runner up.

4 Effective over this trip and at weights is close to no. 1 on form.

5 SA Oaks runner up but has disappointed since.

6 Won last year and carried half-a-kilogram less weight.

7 Decent fourth in the SA Oaks, so could earn with a repeat.

8 Beat Un Deux Trois by two lengths but is 4kg worse off.

9 Could earn if putting poor last run behind her.

10 Has a tough task at the weights but does stay.

11 Fair staying form and drawn in pole but has tough task at the weights.

12 Impossible task at the weights but tries further.

 

Preview: SHE’S A CRACKER (6) was officially better in at the weight when winning last year but is better off with Smoking Hot than she was last year and she beat the latter by 4,5 lengths on that occasion. ONTHEVERGE (7) is 4.5kg under sufferance with the best-weighted but ran a fair race in the SA Oaks and could be a factor. UN DEUX TROIS (4) is a consistent stayer who is 2kg better off with Smoking Hot for a 3,25 length beating. SMOKING HOT (1) is officially the joint best-weighted but has to lug 62kg although she is back against the girls and can bounce back. OPERA GLASS (2) is joint best-weight and interesting stepped up in trip now that she is settling better because she has proven herself feature class. ARYAAM (9) is hard to ignore carrying 50kg. (Selection 6-7-4-1-2-9)

 

 

R8

1 Top class, has been unfortunate to be a member of a vintage crop, first run at altitude.

2 Grade 1 winner over this trip, drawn in pole, second run on Highveld after good pipe opener.

3 Just below the best at this level and has a wide draw.

4 Would prefer further but classy and will be staying on from a wide draw.

5 Good KZN form but disappointed in only run on the Highveld.

6 Progressive and can be a factor if able to overcome a wide draw.

7 Has 3 lengths to find on Zarina and is 4kg worse off.

8 Grade 1 winner over this trip as a two-year-old and comes off a good win over 1400m.

9 Front-running sort who has become disappointing but does have third run on Highveld.

10 Capable of a strong finish from off the pace but has a tough task at the weights.

11 Classy and interesting over this trip because runs on well over shorter.

12 Runner up in Gauteng Fillies Guineas and SA Fillies Classic, chance if overcoming draw.

13 Has class and is distance suited, a dark horse.

 

Preview: PRINCESS CALLA (1) should be too good from a plum draw, although it is her first run at altitude so it would be risky to banker her. SPRINKLES (12) has class and is courageous and distance suited but does have a tough draw. SENTBYDESTINY (8) is well drawn and is a Grade 1 winner over this distance. MARIGOLD HOTEL (13) has some class and the best might not yet have been seen from her. ZARINA (2) is a Grade 1 winner over this trip and is drawn in pole. UNDER YOUR SPELL (11) could mow them down if finding a good position and proving distance suited. (Selection 1-12-8-12-2)

 

 

R9

1 Won cosily first time out the maidens, fair draw and same 4kg claimer up.

2 Could earn if repeating penultimate start.

3 SCRATCHED Plenty of ability but needs to be ridden correctly and Khumalo up is a bonus

4 SCRATCHED Third run after a layoff could earn.

5 Yard in flying form although form of last race not worked out well.

6 Did not fare to well in first try at this trip.

7 Won penultimate start over this trip but is 3kg under sufferance with the best-weighted.

8 Good draw will suit her front-running style and only 1kg under sufferance with best-weighted.

9 SCRATCHED Best weighted and well drawn but needs to bounce back to form.

10 Shout if reproducing recent best form but tough draw and tough task at the weights

11 SCRATCHED Off form, hard to fancy

12 SCRATCHED Distance suited and only half-a-kilogram out with best weighted but has a tough draw.

13 Well drawn over a suitable trip and at best could be a factor.

 

Preview: WRITTEN IN STONE (3) (SCRATCHED) is probably better than rated and is interesting with twice champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo up from a wide draw. JP TWO THOUSAND (1) won well first time out the maidens and the same 4kg claimer is up from a fair draw. LITTLE RAIN (13) is capable of going close here from a good draw and being just 1.5kg under sufferance with the best weighted. SACRED VALLEY (8) gets a good draw for her front-running style. PURPLE SHADOW (9) (SCRATCHED) is the best weighted and well drawn but needs to bounce back. (Selection 3-1-13-8-9)

 

 

R10

1 SCRATCHED Has ability and earned top weight but low draw is a concern.

2 Capable of a strong finish, low draw.

3 Was tried in a Grade 1 after easy debut win.

4 Always thereabouts but draw is on the low side.

5 Better than her last start when scalped and can bounce back

6 Took a while to win a maiden and this is tougher.

7 Capable of earning in this field from a high draw.

8 Could earn here on recent form.

9 Not far off recently but is 2kg under sufferance and has no. 1 draw

10 SCRATCHED Tough task, 5kg under sufferance.

11 SCRATCHED Tough task, 2.5kg under sufferance.

12 Capable of popping up but is 4kg under sufferance.

 

Preview: PICTURE PERFECT (3) is obviously highly regarded and is drawn on the right side over the course and distance of his easy maiden win. PERMESSO AVANTI (1) (SCRATCHED) is promising and should rise above an 83 merit rating but does have a low draw which is the wrong side by trends. VEGAS HIGH RISE (2) should run on if dropped out from a low draw. GRECIA (5) was scalped last time and is better than that and has a high draw. TWICE AS SPLENDID (4) is consistent and can earn albeit from a low draw. EYES ON TIGER (7) is drawn on the right side and could earn if producing his best. (Selection 3-1-2-5-4-7)

 

 

Place Accumulator: (R162)

Leg 1: 2,3

Leg 2: 5,1,3

Leg 3: 1,3,8

Leg 4: 4

Leg 5: 6,7,4

Leg 6: 1

Leg 7: 3,1,13

 

Pick 6: (R270)

Leg 1: 5,1,3

Leg 2: 1,3,8

Leg 3: 4

Leg 4: 6,7,4,1,2,9

Leg 5: 1

Leg 6: 3,1,13,8,9

 

Jackpot: (R12)

Leg 1: 1,3,8

Leg 2: 4

Leg 3: 6,7,4,1,2,9

Leg 4: 1

 

Best Bet:

Race 6: 4

 

Value Bet:

Race 9: 3