Warm Winter Nite could bounce back to winning ways at Turffontein Standside (JC Photos)
Turffontein Standside stages a nine race meeting on Saturday that should be full of interest.
The highest rated race at the meeting is the last race, a MR100 Handicap over 1160 meters. Warm Winter Nite looks to have a good chance from a nice high draw. Last time he bounced back to form with a good second over 1000 metres under Kabelo Matsunyane, who knows him very well and stays aboard. Blizzard Snow has been in fine form with two wins and a second in his last two starts, all over this course and distance. She had a 4kg claimer aboard last time and gets a 4kg claimer aboard here again and she has a nice high draw. Halberdier is not reliable but he is capable of popping up and from a middle draw he could be right there off a mark just one point higher than his last win. One fell swoop has been consistently thereabouts lately and should be in the shake-up again under in-form Chad Little. Passage of Power has a low draw to contend with, but with S’Manga Khumalo up, he can’t be discounted as he will appreciate the return to this course and distance.
In the first leg of the pick six over 2000m Art Nouveau looks the one to beat as she is in fine form with two wins and a second in her last three starts and now has a plum draw with Chad Little up over a suitable course and distance. Azaleas for All is in good form too and is distance suited. She should be right there if able to overcome a tricky draw. Teo Torriatte is in fine form and goes for a hattrick, but she does have to overcome a seven-point raise, although a 4kg claimer aboard will help. Fetching Flyer should appreciate the return to 2000, but does have a wide draw to overcome. Free In Seattle is a consistent sort and St. John Gray has been in good form, so she could be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw.
In the fifth race over 1,800m Bob Lee Swagger is drawn in pole and after a fine run first time out the maiden’s over 2000m with the blinkers on he should go close. Storm Ahead is in good form and from a good draw of three could be in the shake-up over an ideal course and distance. Instant Attraction disappointed last time, but if bouncing back to her best she could do well under 1.5 kilogram claimer Trent Mayhew. Gamer represents the in form Gray yard and from a good draw should be involved. Flag Bearer has disappointed in his last two starts, but if able to bounce back to his best he could place under a 4kg claimer.
In the sixth race over 1600m Laughing William has a pole position draw and has shown signs of coming to hand. He has won over this course and distance before and the blinkers seem to have woken him up in his last three starts, so he is an interesting runner. After Hours is an honest sort. who is capable of running on and he can possibly overcome a three-point raise for a start to finish win last time, which went against his normal way of racing which is to come from off the pace. Clarkson is capable of a strong finish, so could do well in this race after an easy win over this trip last time, although he does have to overcome a four-point raise. Last Ginger has been thereabouts in his last two starts and can earn again with a 4kg claimer up. Johnny Drama won well over this trip last time and only has a two-point raise to overcome and has a fair draw, although he does have to carry joint top weight with Laughing William.
In the seventh race over 1400m Phil The Fluter goes for a hat trick and from a plum draw of two could do it over this suitable trip. He is by Vercingetorix and looks to be on the up. Birthright usually runs handy, so should enjoy this slight step down in trip, although he does have to overcome a five-point raise for hi win over 1600m last time. Pressonregardless is a consistent sort and is ideally distance suited, but he does have a wide draw to overcome under Craig Zackey. Willow Express is capable of running on, so could do well under a 4kg claimer from a wide draw. Great Notion disappointed over 1200m last time, but will appreciate the step up in and could bounce back from a plum draw.
In the eighth race over 1160m Western Wishes should go close if repeating either of her last two starts over this suitable trip from a fair draw. Sunset Warrior appreciated the step down to 1200m last time and has the form to be a contender here. Micke’s Bomb is none too reliable, but she often takes takes advantage her good opportunities, such as this one, and she has a nice high draw. Oriental Bouquet looked to be headed for the top at one stage, so she could do with a feather weight, although she is officially under sufferance. Across the bow could earn from a high draw here with a light weight.
In the first leg of the PA Follow the Master has improved since being stepped stepped up to middle distances and staying trips and should go close again. Heroic Act is consistently thereabouts and looks to be the main danger.
In the first leg of the Bipot oer 1160m Quiet Winter has run two good races, but is coming off a four month break. Perfect Miracle is by Hawwaam out of a Tiger Ridge mare and Chad Little is aboard, albeit from a low draw. Forbidden Fruit is by Canford Cliffside out of a Silvano Mare and also makes some appeal.
In the first race over 1160m Clever Trevor made a fine debut and doesn’t look to have much to beat, although betting on the first-times should be monitored.
