The floods that plagued midweek racing on the Highveld have receded and although much of that water was not welcomed by most, track managers will have been delighted. One can irrigate as much as you like, nothing beats water from above and Turffontein has had four days of sun and wind and should strip in prime condition for tomorrow’s meeting.

Return Flight was one of the stand-out sophomore fillies last season and few who witness the SA Oaks will forget her dogged determination to hold off the attentions of Blossom in the 2450m event.

Her Champions Season campaign did not amount to much, ending on a rather disappointing note in the Vodacom Durban July.

Sean Tarry then put her away for four months before making her seasonal debut in a seven-furlong dash at the Vaal where she faded late behind top class stable companion Celtic Sea.

That run should have brought her on lengths and over a more suitable trip tomorrow, many will be relying on her as a possible exotic bet banker in the Interbet.co.za Pinnacle Stakes.

The biggest threat could come in the form of Pretty Border. She is in receipt of 12kg from Return Flight which is a lot of pudding

Basadi Faith has not had much luck with the weather, her intended return to the track falling foul of the rain gods. She was then fancied to beat Chimchuri Run on Thursday but both were scratched on stipes permission, a soft track possibly the reason and given further sunshine the Turffontein track should be in pristine condition with the going a little firmer. Tomorrow’s field is a lot weaker than what she would have taken on last Thursday but of some concern is that she was suspended after finishing down the field when favourite for the Gr1 Allan Robertson for bleeding. However, Paul Matchett is sure to have got on top of that problem after a six-month break from the track. 

Given the recent weather, stable companion Donderweer would be an appropriate winner. He is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip at this stage of his career, leading for most of the way in the Dingaans before being swamped late. Of the balance, Fly Away is super quick and was an easy winner of her last two while Big Bay is a PE raider with smart form who cannot be ignored.

Alramz and Mythical Bolt look the principal contenders in the eighth. The former needed his last run and wasn’t disgraced when involved in a rough finish last time out. Mythical Bolt blew the start when among the fancied runners last time out and never recovered. He can do better here in spite of top weight.

By Andrew Harrison

The weather has played havoc with racing north of the Orange River. As parts of the country buckle under a devastating drought, other parts are floating to the sea as torrential rain makes racing virtually impossible.

Continuous rain during the week was enough to flood the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly with nearly 400mm recorded in three days. As a result, tonight’s scheduled meeting on the turf has been switched to the poly.

According to the early market, Duchess Of Windsor is virtually home-and-hosed in the first. Track & Ball has Johan Janse van Vuuren’s filly priced up at 4-10 According to the early market, Duchess Of Windsor is virtually home-and-hosed in the first. Track & Ball has Johan Janse van Vuuren’s filly priced up at 4-10 with only Mystery Trip and Imperial Seal in single figures, bracketed on 8-1.

Duchess Of Windsor arrives with solid Highveld form to back her claims and the presence of Anton Marcus in the saddle will have further shortened her price.

Nathan Kotzen is enjoying a good run of late and Mystery Trip could prove the biggest threat. Donovan Dillon replaces a claiming apprentice and she can do much better than her last effort.

Imperial Seal has been consistent for Lowan Denysschen but she will need to improve on her recent showings if she is to have the measure of Duchess of Windsor.

Duncan Howells endured ‘one-of-those-days’ at Scottsville on Sunday, two runners being badly hampered and a third touched off in a tight finish. He will be hoping for better luck with Brilliant Disguise in the second and has cut his odds with Marcus engaged from a pole position draw. Running on well behind shock winner Bordeaux last time out, his first outing since being gelded, the 1600m should be right up his ally.

However, 12-10 looks a tad short with Master Vision knocking at the door having finished a close-up second in his last two with championship-leading rider Warren Kennedy aboard although the 11 draw is something of a concern.

Sherman Brown teams up with the Howells runner All The Way Up in the hope of a quick double for the Ashburton-based trainer. The gelding has shown marked improvement since racing in a tongue-tie and was a touch unlucky behind What A Blast in his latest outing.

But he will not have things his own way. Stuart Ferrie, deputising for Dennis Drier while the boss is in Cape Town, saddles Holy Land. Granted, the gelding has not been out for two months but has seldom been far off the pace and this shorter trip may suit.

Gentleman’s Wager will need more than a handshake from the opposition to get home in the fourth, a highly competitive handicap. But Janse van Vuuren’s runner has come good of late and has a top rider aboard. Seasoned trainer Pat Lunn oversees the stable which in its self is a big plus.

Sea Sponge and Justfortheepenny strike as likely threats in an open race.

The fifth is another difficult handicap. Green Ice and the younger Arrabiata look to be the principal contenders with Zerina, a 14-1 shot on the books, a must inclusion in all exotics.

Born To Perform made a late start to his racing career and given his pedigree, there must have been plenty of faults with his R55 000 price tag.

But Dennis Bosch has been around the block a few times and has coaxed the best out of the gelding that boasts five wins from just seven starts. But it starts to get tougher as one climbs the ladder and the consistent GG’S Dynasty, beaten by Born To Perform last time out, is now 1 kg better off and goes into the contest on the back of two smart warm-up races.

Gary Rich is concerned that Connect Me will find the 1400m of the seventh on the short side but has been hard-pressed to find another suitable race. However, she has done little wrong of late and 5-1 strike as fairly generous odds.

The last is another nightmare but Mademoiselle can round of a productive night for Janse van Vuuren and Pat Lunn.

By Andrew Harrison

One World can make the most of his race fitness and get the better of both Do It Again and Rainbow Bridge in the World Sports Betting Green Point Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The selection has won both the Matchem and the Cape Mile this season and has only been beaten twice in 11 starts. He has a bit to find with the big two on adjusted ratings but this is his trip and at 5-1 he is a decent price.

You have to go back to Legislate in 2014 to find this race being won a horse having his first run of the season but, as Legal Eagle won the last three runnings as part of a well-executed plan by Sean Tarry, not too much notice should be taken of that particular statistic – and nor of the fact that the favourite has won five of the last eight.

Do It Again almost brought it off 12 months ago and, while Justin Snaith speaks of the dual July winner being only 80%, it was he who trained Legislate and Richard Fourie’s mount is an exceptional horse. He is favourite at 17-10.

Similarly, while old rival Rainbow Bridge has also not run this term, he can be expected to get into the shake-up and is next in the market at 26-10.

But, if you take the view that you are putting too much faith in sheer ability by going for a horse without a run, you are realistically left with only two choices – One World and Undercover Agent who almost did it a year ago and looks a major threat this time. He is a huge price at 10-1. Of the others Head Honcho could do with a bit further but at 28-1 he could be worth considering each way. Vardy is not quite ready according to his trainer and is much too short at 5-1. Pack Leader (40-1) and the sprinter La Favourari (80-1) are surely too far out of the weights to be considered.

Anton Marcus, who has won the last three runnings, will this time be watching from the jockeys’ room, albeit with considerable interest, but the four-time champion may still enjoy a bumper pay day and I expect him to win the WSB Cape Fillies Guineas for the third time in four seasons.

Kelpie, now 7-2 favourite, has a lot to find on ratings but she keeps winning and she looked really special last time. I am not convinced that the Johannesburg horses are better than the Cape Town ones, let alone better by the margin the handicappers assess 4-1 shot True To Life.

Third Runway (15-2) looked the part when winning the Western Cape Fillies Championship – a race that has been won by the subsequent Fillies Guineas winner five times in the last nine years – but she has a lot to do from that wide draw. Too much to do? Well, no surprise if Morne Winnaar lands the biggest win of his 20-year career but Kelpie looks a safer bet.

Driving Miss Daisy (14-1) and 20-1 stable companion Larentina, who both had little luck in running when badly drawn behind Third Runway, have place prospects as does Pretty Young Thing (17-2) despite starting from the widest pen of all.

Roi Querari looked the part for the R.25 million CTS Ready To Run when winning at Durbanville but since then Invidia has put that to bed with his performance here three weeks ago. He should justify 22-10 favouritism.

Clouds Unfold is a formidable proposition in the WSB Southern Cross but Run Fox Run is unbeaten and may prove yet another for Marcus.

By Michael Clower

Hollywoodbets Greyville Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

6 DUCHESS OF WINDSOR  3 MYSTERY TRIP   8 KATIE’S TREASURE   7 FORT ROYAL
Preview: DUCHESS OF WINDSOR (6) has put in two smart efforts on the Highveld and meets a fairly modest field. KATIE’S TREASURE (8) has been consistent but tends to lack extra late. MYSTERY TRIP (3) was disappointing last run after a promising debut effort. She has drawn well here and the stable is in form. FORT ROYAL (7) seems way better than her last run on the poly. She made a promising debut on turf and can feature here. (Andrew Harrison: 1-3-6-7).

Race 2

1 BRILLIANT DISGUISE   11 MASTER VISION   2 ANGELICO   12 BACKGAMMON
Preview: Tricky as many got this trip for the first time. Keep a weather eye on the betting. BRILLIANT DISGUISE (1) was just short of a run when returning from a break from pole position draw, he should contest the finish. MASTER VISION (11) has been runner up in his last two on this track. He was narrowly beaten last start and looks the principal danger. ANGELICO (2) returns from a break but has ability and a good draw. BACKGAMMON (12) has his first start for a new stable. He was not too far back in Cape Town and is one to watch. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-2-12).

Race 3            

9 ALL THE WAY UP   4 HOLY LAND   10 ARIZONA SILK   5 SECRET DYNASTY
Preview: ALL THE WAY UP (9) was unlucky last run and should go well here. HOLY LAND (4) is the best weighted in the field. He has been up against much stronger at recent outings and has a bright chance. ARIZONA SILK (10) was close-up on the poly last run. He has improved in blinkers and should be competitive. SECRET DYNASTY (5) is holding form well and is never far off them. He can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 9-4-10-5).

Race 4

6 GENTLEMAN’S WAGER   1 SEA SPONGE   11 JUSTFORTHEEPENNY   4 KENTUCKY SPUR
Preview: GENTLEMAN’S WAGER (6) is lightly raced but has come good of late and brings good Highveld form to the table. SEA SPONGE (1) is seldom far back. Has a handy weight and is dues a change of fortune. JUSTFORTHEEPENNY (11) made no show in a PE feature last outing but was not far back in useful company before that. He was an impressive maiden winner. KENTUCKY SPUR (4) improved in blinkers last run and that form has been franked. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-11-4).

Race 5

10 GREEN ICE   11 ARRABIATA   12 ZERNIA   8 INTO THE GROOVE
Preview: GREEN ICE (10) has had two runs since returning from a lengthy break. She was not far back in either and should be primed for this event. ARRABIATA (11) showed up well first run out of the maidens and does not meet a strong field. ZERNIA (12) has yet to run a bad race. She stays the trip well and should be close-up. INTO THE GROOVE (8) is never far off them and with a little luck in running can challenge strongly. (Andrew Harrison: 10-11-12-8).

Race 6

9 GG’S DYNASTY   3 BORN TO PERFORM   5 TARSUS   6 SEA DANCE
Preview: GG’S DYNASTY (9) has hardly put a foot wrong in his last five starts. He is 2kg better off with BORN TO PERFORM (3) and should go close to turning the tables. Dennis Bosch’s runner goes for four on the bounce. TARSU (5) caught the eye in his first start for his new stable and the extra should suit SEA DANCE (6) is way better than his last showing. He is 1.5kg better off with GG’s Dynasty for when last they met which put him boldly into the picture. (Andrew Harrison: 9-3-5-6).

Race 7

10 CONNECT ME   11 OOH LA LA   3 PURPLE PERSUASION   9 ARIANOS SHADOW
Preview: CONNECT ME (10) is in good form and was a touch unlucky last run. She has a tricky draw which is a concern but her biggest danger could be OOH LA LA (11) but Doug Campbell’s filly has also drawn wide. PURPLE PERSUASION (3) has put in two promising efforts on the poly this season. From a good draw and a 4kg claimer up she will be very competitive. ARIANOS SHADOW (9) has been up against stronger at recent outings. She is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip and has a 4kg claimer up. (Andrew Harrison: (10-11-3-9).

Race 8

4 MADEMOISELLE   6 SPAM ALERT   11 SMILEY KYLIE   7 EXTRAVARGANT
Preview: MADEMOISELLE (4) has consistent Highveld form, runner-up in her last three. She has been narrowly beaten and will have plenty of supporters. SPAM ALERT (6) last run is best ignored. Good form before that and from a good draw can go close. SMILEY KYLIE (11) has a wide draw but does look to have some scope. Of concern is that in her only run on the grass she did not show although it was a minor feature. EXTRAVARGANT (7) was a narrowly beaten favourite last run. The blinkers come off but her form is consistent. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-11-7).

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Fairview Friday Tips and Suggested Bets by Devonne Govender

R1 (2) Dads Roots (11) Oriental World (1) Apollo Rock
R2 (2) Evermore (7) Baba Yaga (14) Scolding
R3 (11) Ladysmith (4) Undiscovered Gem (9) Regal Ruby
R4 (2) Verbarium (10) Varsity Bourbon (4) Thomas Shelby
R5 (7) Voices Of Light (6) Copper Trail (1) Alwahsh
R6 (8) Philos (12) Masterful (1) Hard Core
R7 (7) Sabastian (8) Tom Tom (4) The Silva Fox
R8 (7) World Squared (10) Lunchpack (6) Shadowland

Exotics

PA (R16)
Leg 1: 2 x 7
Leg 2: 11 x 4
Leg 3: 2 x 10
Leg 4: 7
Leg 5: 8 x 12
Leg 6: 7
Leg 7: 7

PICK 6 (R1280)
Leg 1: 11 x 4 x 9 x 8 x 10
Leg 2: 2 x 10 x 4 x 9
Leg 3: 7 x 6
Leg 4: 8 x 12 x 1 x 2
Leg 5: 7 x 8
Leg 6: 7 x 10 x 6 x 1

BEST BET
Race 5: 7

VALUE BET
Race 7: 7  

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