David Thiselton

The Gr 3 WSB Sycamore Sprint for fillies and mares over 1160m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and could see a victory for the East Cape raider Song Of Myself.

The Dean Smith-trained Canford Cliffs mare was beaten a length by Symphony In White last time out in the Listed Lady’s Pendant over 1200m at Fairview. Symphony In White ran a 0,40 length third in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship as a two-year-old and her best result this season has been a 0,75 length second in the Gr 3 WSB Southern Cross Stakes over 1000m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, although she was receiving 8kg from the winner Asiye Phambili. She carries 58kg on Saturday off a 100 merit rating in the handicap event and champion jockey Gavin Lerena is up. She does have to jump from a low draw of three, but the trend whereby high draws were favourable at Turffontein Standside seems to have been ironed out lately. She should make a bold bid as she is still quite unexposed, having had just eleven career starts, despite being a five-year-old. Five of those starts have been wins and her winning distance range is 1000m to 1250m.

The danger could be the progressive Vanakkam, a three-year-old who sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight of 52kg off her 93 merit rating. Vanakkam is very quick but clearly went too fast last time over 1000m in the Gr 3 TAB National Currency Sprint over 1000m as the winner was able to come from way off the pace and overtake all the handy horses in that race. If she is ridden more conservatively this time she could be dangerous, although all three of her career wins have been over 1000m, so she has to prove she sees this 1160m trip out.

Perfect Miracle is another three-year-old who sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight. She is by Hawwaam, whose progeny are probably going to improve as they get older, so she could still rise above her current mark.

Poblano has been in good form and despite her last three runs having been over 1000m, she did go close over this course and distance before that.

Rachel Wall has only had one run this season and that was in November, so she might have had issues, but she is quick and is capable of going close here.

Calantha beat Perfect Miracle a length when they met over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track in February and Perfect Miracle is only 1,5kg better off, but Perfect Miracle did have a wide draw that day.

Little Ballerina has proved up to her 104 merit rating, so can’t be ignored and Chrome Tourmaline is half-a-kilogram better off with Poblano, despite beating her narrowly when they last met, so she could be in the shake up.

The ninth race is an interesting Pinnacle Plate over 1160m which serves as a Computaform Sprint preparation opportunity for a number of the runners.  William Robertson is top class and evergreen, so can go in again even though this is a preparation outing for the Computaform Sprint. Busstopinhounslow is a versatile sort who should be finishing strongly as usual from off the pace. Rodeo Drive has a lot of pace and has a chance as she is best in at the weights. Minogue has class and speed and is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance with Rodeo Drive. Chasing Happiness can be involved too if bouncing back to her best. Karate Kid has talent and could be in the shake up.

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m, Capetown Noir filly Utsaah improved with blinkers last time over this trip and has pole position again and can  notch another victory for in-form Sean Tarry and leading rider Craig Zackey. Made To Measure looks the danger.

In the fifth race, a Maiden over 1600m, Gimmethespotlight has some fine form and should go close from a plum draw with Lerena up. Pompei Shield has some good form and enjoys this trip but does have a tricky draw. Millennium Warrior will be in the hunt if repeating his last start.

In the sixth over 2400m 4 One More Star ran a cracker over 2000m last time against a fair sort and from pole position this One World half-brother to Malmoos should relish the trip. Copper Plate won well last time and should be in the shake up again. Jordan will enjoy the course and distance and is well drawn.

In the eighth over 1600m Back From War ran well against a good sort last time in Duchess Paloma over 1800m and can go close here over a drop in trip she should handle. Teo Torriate was not far behind Back From War last time and now has pole position. Streisand is a scopey sort who should start coming into her own and she is a contender.

In the first leg of the Bipot Kavady carries a penalty in this Maiden Juvenile Plate, but should be too good.

In the second over 1160m Turn It Up has speed and class and will be hard to beat.

In the first race over 1160m Charming Cheetah is consistent over sprint trip and is the one to beat.