The Turffontein Standside meeting sees the first two-year-old races of the season, both over 800m, and the Tobie Spies yard have a fine record in these events.

They cannot be as confident as they were with Van Halen last year when he turned his 800m debut into a procession but they said of their charges, “You never know with babies, they can do funny things and can be green, but in the first race Axios is a very nice sort. We would expect him to be in the money at least. His stable companion Baby Lets Mambo is not too bad either and we hope to find the quartet with both of them. In the second race Me Time’s dam is a half-sister to Van Halen. She is precocious and we are confident she will run well and should be in the money. But we will be happy for her to be in the money and then build on that.”

Muzi Yeni rides both Axios and Me Time and they are both tipped to win.

The Spies yard also run Van Halen down in Cape Town in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. They are still at a loss to explain his poor run in the Cape Merchants last time as he has eaten up everything since then. He has been working well and on his homework they believe he will see out the trip.

In the third race at Turffontein Greener Pastures can be made a PA banker from pole position having stayed on for second over this trip last time. However as far as winning the race is concerned Over The Limit will be a big danger. The latter comes out slightly better on some formlines and although returning from an 82 day layoff she is by Twice Over whose progeny improve with age so she might well have benefitted from the break. She also has a good draw and Nooresh Juglall rides for the flying Tarry yard.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 Potjie ran a fair third behind the exciting prospect Mythical Bolt last time out. He was beaten 4,4 lengths and there was a yawning gap back to the rest so it could be fair form. Naizak will appreciate the step down in trip and is a danger along with Tequila Man who finished strongly last time with first time blinkers. Tintagel brings some fair Cape Town form and he could be suited to the fast Turffontein straight track considering he showed good pace to lead and only faded late over the tough Kenilworth 1200m three runs ago. Knight Owl could improve from his debut.

In the fifth race over 1160m Mighty High has the class to remain unbeaten despite carrying a big weight. Ouro and Dagmar are tipped to be the dangers. San Fermin is the best weighted on official merit ratings but has continued to disappoint. I Like It finished a short-head second in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile but this will llikely be too sharp.

In the next race over 1160m Colombina is not reliable but has ability and could upset. Announcing Rain has dropped to a competitive merit rating. Frankly has some class but the low draw might be a disadvantage. Going wide is the suggestion for the Pick 6.

In the seventh Rebel’s Champ has matured into a top class sprinter and should go close. Kissable is the joint best weighted and her early pace always makes her dangerous. Clever Guy has run two big races in succession and will be a threat too.

The 8^th over 1000m is competitive and although Shifting Shadows is the tip to win after running well in two features and now back in a handicap Three Stars, River Rafting, Vivir, Winter Watch and Made In Hollywood also need to be included.

In the last leg of the Pick 6 Scoop is on the up and can claim a hattrick. Ilha Da Varlette should also be included after two fine runs and she is actually officially better weighted than Scoop. Heavenly Risk is the best weighted horse and beat Scoop by 2,25 lengths last March but he has not raced since April.

By David Thiselton

Greyville Friday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

7 RUMBLEINTHEJUNGLE   1 GRANDE MAESTRO   2 BLACK DEVON   5 MIGHTY GEMINI
Preview: Open. RUMBLEINTHEJUNGLE (7) was disappointing last run after showing recent improvement. He races in blinkers for the first time and can get back to his better form. GRANDE MAESTRO (1) was also disappointing last time out but was close-up at his previous start. He has been rested but is lightly raced. BLACK DEVON (2) was a fair second to the odds-on winner last time out and can do better over this trip. MIGHTY GEMINI (5) improved first run for his new stable and with first time blinkers. FINAL ASSEMBLY (3) has shown some ability and is not out of it. Tough race. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-5).

Race 2

1 SCRABBLE   2 LICKERIO   7 GOOD RHYTHM   3 GRADUATE
Preview: SCRABBLE (1) has had one outing since a break and took on much stronger. He is lightly raced but has ability. LICKERIO (2) was far from disgraced in a competitive field last run and has good form on the poly.  GOOD RHYTHM (7) is the lowest rated in this set weights race but was a runaway winner of his maiden. He had shown promise before that and should have some improvement to come. GRADUATE (3) returns from a long lay-off and may need the run. However, he has started favourite in all three of his races and is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 1-2-7-3).

Race 3

1 BIKER BABE   9 MISSIBABA   5 BRIDAL VEIL   6 FULLFILLYOURDREAM
Preview: Wide open with many runners having dropped in the ratings. BIKER BABE (1) is on the up and has made sudden improvement for her new stable. She can follow up on her last easy win. MISSIBABA (9) has been close-up in recent starts over shorter and has a chance from a good draw. BRIDAL VEIL (5) comes from a stable that is starting to find form and has been up against a little stronger of late. FULLFILLYOURDREAM (6) has dropped way down in the handicap and looks competitive again. (Andrew Harrison: 1-9-5-6).

Race 4

2 ELUSIVE DIVA   1 SILVER PRANCER   10 MOON IN JUNE   3 THREE SHIPS
Preview: ELUSIVE DIVA (2) was a beaten odds-on chance last run and has been runner-up on the poly in her last three. She is due a change of fortune. SILVER PRANCER (1) is in good form and goes well on this surface. MOON IN JUNE (10) was a beaten odds-on chance at just her second start and looks capable of good improvement. THREE SHIPS (3) is back on her favourite surface although she did well in soft going last time out. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-10-3).

Race 5

3 AMOR ARDIENTE   1 BLACKBALL   2 RYKER   4 WINTER’S COMING
Preview: AMOR ARDIENTE (3) had his consistency rewarded last run. That form has held up quite well and he can go in again. BLACKBALL (1) has his first run back after a break but he did trial well. He has a fair weight but comes from an in form stable. RYKER (2) has had two barrier trials and improved nicely second time out. He appears to have problems but is useful on his day. WINTER’S COMING (4) goes well over course and distance but does meet stronger here although he does have a 4kg claimer aboard. (Andrew Harrison: 3-1-2-4).

Race 6

3 SENTIDO   11 HONEST PRINCE   4 CAPTAIN COBALT   1 LOTSA SILVER
Preview: SENTIDO (3) was a beaten favourite last run. He has been holding form and may be worth another chance in a weak field. HONEST PRINCE (11) is in good form and although battling for a second win he has not been far back of late and has a handy weight.  CAPTAIN COBALT (4) has good form in blinkers and with a 4kg claimer up should again be competitive. LOTSA SILVER (1) is lightly raced. His last effort is best ignored as he has a strong chance on previous showings. (Andrew Harrison: 3-11-4-1).

Race 7

4 PETER PIPER   6 WAR TRUMPET   10 QUEENSBURY RULES   1 HIDDEN INFLUENCE
Preview: PETER PIPER (4) has not been far back to stronger at recent outings but has dropped in the ratings and looks to have a bright chance in this field. WAR TRUMPET (6) is lightly raced but has been taking on stronger in Cape Town. He trialled well enough but meets a competitive field. QUEENSBURY RULES (10) has been consistent although struggling to win again. He has a light weight and a good draw. HIDDEN INFLUENCE (1) has not shown much in two local starts on the poly but he drops in trip and the blinkers come off. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-10-1).

Race 8

4 GREENLIGHT GATSBY   5 LUCARA   1 AT THE OPERA   6 ALPHAMIKEFOXTROT
Preview: GREENLIGHT GATSBY (4) is lightly raced. He disappointed on the turf last time out but his poly form is not bad. LUCARA (5) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He goes well over course and distance and rates a strong chance in this field. AT THE OPERA (1) took on way stronger last run. He has shown some promise although his only poly effort was below par. ALPHAMIKEFOXTROT (6) has run his best races on the poly although he is struggling to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 4-5-1-6).

One World can keep his unbeaten record in the Cape Guineas at Kenilworth tomorrow when his proven fighting qualities should enable him to again account for Chimichuri Run as well as Soqrat and Cirillo in the smallest Guineas field for 15 years.

The odds-on favourite is trained by Guineas master Vaughan Marshall bidding for win number six and partnered by a big race supremo riding like a man inspired. “We are up against one of the best front-running riders in the country and from the front he very rarely gets it wrong,” is how Joey Ramsden puts it. “He is one of those jockeys that sees you damned if you take him on and damned if you don’t.”

Chimichuri Run (best-priced 5-1) looks the most obvious danger after going under by only half a length in the Concorde Cup when S’Manga Khumalo felt his mount reached the limits of his stamina. He will delay his challenge much later tomorrow and it’s worth remembering that the Sean Tarry runner appeared to be going the better when he began to close last time.

Stable companion Cirillo (15-2) won the CTS Ready To Run the hard way and with considerable authority. Lyle Hewitson takes over from Marcus and is still widely underestimated. Hardly a day goes by when the champion does not serve up a reminder of just why he was the first apprentice to win the title since Michael Roberts.

Soqrat (4-1) is the only Grade 1 winner in the field and has long been held in high regard by Mike de Kock who is bidding for his fifth Cape Guineas. He should get into the shake-up but he doesn’t make the same appeal as the favourite.

Two of the last five Cape Classic winners have gone on to land the Guineas and Twist Of Fate is a big price at 14-1 to make it three but this race has a proven capacity for producing shocks. Seven of the last ten favourites have bitten the dust and in the last five seasons the winner has twice started at more than 20-1.

If there is to be an upset this time then you might want to consider Majestic Mozart. Long held in high regard by his trainer, Aldo Domeyer’s mount has been backed from 25-1 to 12-1 in the last five days and significantly he will race with a tongue tie for the first time.

Perhaps the bet of the day will prove to be the 11-2 offered by the sponsors against Marcus winning the World Sports Betting Fillies Guineas as well as the Cape Guineas because Front And Centre has looked something special from the start. True, she has never taken on anything resembling this calibre of field but the 2-1 favourite possesses the acceleration of a top class horse.

Furthermore the stats are very much in her favour. Favourites have won four of the last five runnings and since Field Flower sprang a 50-1 shock nine years ago no winner has started at a bigger price than 11-2.

Just about the only pointer against her is that she is not the winner of the Odessa/Choice Carriers/WC Fillies Championship. The winner of that race has gone on to land the Fillies Guineas five times in the last eight years and there is no denying the claims of this season’s winner scorer Clouds Unfold (3-1) who beat Temple Grafin (15-2) with some authority.

Ghaalla (7-1) came into her own when upped to a mile last time. She could make the frame but the local trainers will be surprised and disappointed if she proves good enough to beat all theirs. Justin Snaith has the best record with five winners in the past 11 seasons and Silvano’s Pride (backed from 14-1 to 9-1 this week) is on a hat-trick. She needs to improve again to make the frame.

Brave Move looks the part in the WSB Victress Stakes and maybe last year’s Guineas hero Tap O’Noth can win the WSB Premier Trophy.

By Michael Clower

Fairview Friday Tips and Suggested Bets by Devonne Govender

R1 (10) Seattle Choice (1) In The Navy (4) Mr T
R2 (1) Malinda (3) Desert Wanderer (15) Perceptionist
R3 (6) Lloyd George (7) Believethisbeauty (3) Mindmym
R5 (10) Rosie (5) Boldness (1) Christmas Cracker
R6 (6) Multi Gold (2) Wild Brier (7) Grandissimo
R7 (1) Seattle Swing (3) Late Autumn (7) Mahir
R8 (10) Capaill (2) Candy Crush (6) Esploratore
R9 (1) Oriental Tiger (7) Zanzibar Beat (3) Alamito Bay

Exotics

PA (R2)
Leg 1: 6
Leg 2: 9
Leg 3: 10 x 5
Leg 4: 6
Leg 5: 1
Leg 6: 10
Leg 7: 1

PICK 6 (R864)
Leg 1: 9 x 1 x 3 x 7
Leg 2: 10 x 5 x 1 x 7
Leg 3: 6 x 2 x 7
Leg 4: 1 x 3 x 7
Leg 5: 10 x 2 x 6
Leg 6: 1 x 7

BEST BET
Race 9: 1

VALUE BET
Race 6: 6

Anton Marcus has a chance of achieving a Grade 1 double this weekend as he rides the favourite in both the WSB Fillies Guineas and the Cape Guineas, which for the first time in history are being run on the same day, but he could be denied by the Mike de Kock-trained Soqrat or the outsider Majestic Mozart.

Vaughan Marshall is going for his third successive Cape Guineas and it is believed he will become the first trainer in history to achieve this feat. He has a fine chance of doing it with the unbeaten One World, who like 2016 winner William Longsword and 2017 winner Tap O’Noth is by Captain Al, who was the third of Marshall’s five Cape Guineas winners to date. 

One World will be hard to beat under Marcus. He is a relaxed, long-striding sort who is able to dictate and then show a kick and he can find extra when challenged too. 

He beat Chimichuri Run by only half-a-length in the Concorde Cup over 1400m last time, which was run on the Kenilworth Old Course, but gave the impression he had a bit in hand. As a galloping type, he should prefer the New course on Saturday.

Chimichuri Run was running all the way to the line in the Concorde Cup so will give One Man something to think about again. 

The progressive Cirillo is another danger, especially as he is drawn two. He proved last time in the Ready To Run over 1400m he can do it from the front and has champion jockey Lyle Hewitson up. In his only previous attempt at 1600m he was beaten four lengths by Soqrat in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes, but he was caught wide throughout that day and also hit the front too early. 

With two front-runners involved the race could play into the hands of Soqrat, who will attempt to give Mike de Kock a fifth Cape Guineas win. He has won his only start over this trip, doing it comfortably in the Grade 1 Premier’s Champion Stakes last season, and packs a powerful finishing run. Furthermore, he has a plum draw of four.

Twist Of Fate beat Cirillo over 1400m in his penultimate start and then had to be switched outward in the Concorde before running on strongly. He is a scopey sort and Joey Ramsden is sure to have him in tip top condition but he does have a tricky draw.

The strapping Majestc Mozart who was charging home in the Ready To Run after being dropped out from a wide draw. This Dynasty colt will relish the step up in trip and is drawn in pole.

Van Halen is full of class but has to put a poor last outing behind him.

Sacred Arrow and Crown Guardian look held.

Soqrat is tipped to beat Majestic Mozart with One World, Twist Of Fate and Cirillo next best.  

The WSB Fillies Guineas is not a strong renewal and the Brett Crawford-trained Dynasty filly Front And Centre can remain unbeaten as she has won all three of her races effortlessly. Clouds Unfold drew away nicely to win the Western Cape Fillies Championship (WCFC) over 1400m and should relish this trip. She also has a plum draw of three so will be a big danger. Temple Grafin is held by Clouds Unfold, losing to her by 2,25 in the WCFC and now drawn very wide. Ghaalla won the Grade 3 Fillies Mile but the form looks suspect with 88 merit rated I Like It a narrow second and Ronnie’s Candy managing a close third despite pulling ad racing wide.

Silvano’s Pride has a lot of substance and will be improving all the while being by Silvano so is a threat despite a wide draw as she looks to be a relaxed type. Golden Chance has class and is unexposed as she steps up from 1200m so is a dark horse. PE raider Just Chaos won the RA Stakes well last time, but is up against it here. Second Request was running on well in the Ready To Run and could earn. The selection is Front And Centre to beat Clouds Unfold with Silvano’s Pride, Temple Grafin and Golden Chance next best.

By David Thiselton