David Thiselton
The main race at the Turffontein Standside meeting today is the Gr 3 TAB National Currency Sprint over 1100m and the Gareth van Zyl-trained KZN raider Wild Justice looks the one to beat.
The strongly built Vercingetorix colt is out of a Captain Al mare and has won four out of five to date with his only defeat being around the turn. He is getting better and better and looks capable of going to the top, so he should have a bit of leeway off a 104 merit rating in this merit-rated band event. He is 1,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, Elegantrix, but is in fact the best weighted male in the race so should take a power of beating presuming he travels well. Chapbook was at his best with Gavin Lerena up last time he can be again as Lerena stays aboard. The Last Duke has class and has a nice middle to high draw, so could be a form threat. One Fine Winter can go close if a line is drawn through her last start, which was too bad to be true as she is usually an admirably consistent type. Elegantrix has speed and class and can’t be ignored, especially if Rifle Queen wins the Bauhinia as she is the only horse to have defeated Rifle Queen to date. Charming Cheetah is also hard to ignore over an ideal course and distance.
Rifle Queen looks the one to beat in the Non-Black Type Bidvest Bauhinia Stakes over 1000m for fillies and mares, a handicap. The Tony Peter-trained three-year-old Buffalo Bill Cody filly returned from five month layoff to finish a 1,50 length second to the smart Elegantrix on January 17 in the Listed Swallow Stakes over 1200m at the Vaal and she was raised three points for that effort. She then won her next start over 1160m at Turffontein Standside, a Graduation Plate, by an easy 2,30 lengths which saw her raised six points to 105. However, she looks capable of rising above that rating and having to carry only 54kg in this race from a high draw under Kabelo Matsunyane gives her a big shout. Little Ballerina showed a lot of talent as a youngster and proved she retains it last time in her second run after a long rest when second to the 113-rated Taxi To The Moon in a Pinnacle event over the Bauhinia course and distance when receiving 5,5kg. She carries 56kg off her 104 rating and Serino Moodley is up, albeit from a potentially tricky draw of two, although the bias down the Turffontein Standside straight lately has often been insignificant. Only the day will tell whether there is a bias favouring the high draws. Poblano is ideally course and distance suited and should make a bold bid, although she does have the number one draw. Chasing Happiness is topweight and if able to put her last two runs behind her she will be a contender from draw seven. Green Diamond might be able to put her two disappointing runs in Cape Town behind her in the same way Fire Attack did and if she bounces back to her best she will be a contender off the same merit rating and weight that Rifle Queen has. The rest of the field are under sufferance and difficult to fancy.
In the third race over 1160m, a classy Pinnacle Stakes event, Buffalo Storm Cody can bounce back after his Gr 1 World Pool Cape Flying Championship disappointment. He can beat Almond Sea and William Robertson. Main Defender makes a comeback, but might need it after a long layoff. Chrome Tourmaline could earn a cheque at best.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 2400m the weight structure is unusual with Poets Warrior carrying 60kg and the rest of the field carrying 52kg. Poets Warrior is a dangerous front runner and is still taken to win it as he was back to his devastating best last time, powering in over 2400m by 3,25 lengths and Gavin Lerena stays aboard. Breeze Over tends to start slowly and prefers to front run, so things need to go his way but if they do he will be a contender. Enflame won easily last time and would not be a surprise winner as he should be coming into his own now. However, he is officially 8kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse, United Council. The latter was beaten ten lengths by Poets Warrior last time and is only 2kg better off, so will need to bounce back. Arumugam is way under sufferance but could earn if producing his best.
In the fifth race over 1160m Stoneywood is a full brother to top class sprinter Dyce and is an eye-catching sort, so should start showing some real sprinting class. Believe In Fate is going the right way too and should be in the shake up. African Prince had decent Cape Town form and has had two good runs on the Highveld. French Flame brings good East Cape form, but this is tougher. Xenophon has always struck as being talented and represents the in-form Sean Tarry, so could be in the shake up.
In the eighth over 1600m Reece’s Wish is on the up and is the one to beat. Aquarius strikes as one with plenty of upside. Babette’s Feast won with authority last time and can earn. Scarlett Heart won well last time and can earn here. Into Dancing could earn from pole position.
In the ninth over 1600m Paris Fun is the form choice here. Pearl In Her Crown ran on well to win last time and can go close again. The Mightiest has the form to be a contender. Sikeloi has proved suited to this trip and can earn if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon has the ability to earn here.
In the second over 1160m Willow Charm has a good opportunity in an uninspiring race and the danger could be Highwayman Harry.
In the first race Wings Of Kildra should take a power of beating.
