David Thiselton

 

A MR 96 Handicap over 2000m is the highest rated race at the Turffontein Inside track meeting today and it could be won by Robert Browning.

 

The Canford Cliffs gelding is 3kg better off with The Playboy Bomber for a 1,70 length beating over this trip on April 9 and last time out, following a below par run in between, he ran well over 1600m in a Middle Stakes event in which he was out at the weights. Back in a handicap and drawn one over a suitable course and distance he should be right there. Kudzu has blossomed into his big frame as a five-year-old and has a chance of recording a hat-trick despite being four points higher for his last win, but on the other hand he has a tough draw to overcome. The Playboy Bomber is well drawn over a suitable trip and should make his presence felt. Jordan is distance suited and well drawn and should be in the shake up. Open Highway should finish on top of Kudzu according to the form of their last meeting coupled with the weight turnaround, but he also has a tricky draw of eight.

 

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 1600m, Winding Power has the best form here and should take a power of beating from a good draw. Royale Jacket has been knocking on the door and has an opportunity go one better than his run last time on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly as he is drawn in pole here. Master Buddy has been beaten by Royale Jacket before, but improved last time out to beat him narrowly, although he does now have a wide draw.

 

In the next race over 1600m Late Bloomer ran a couple of fair sprints in the strong centre of Cape Town and on pedigree will relish the step up in trip being by Querari out of Gold Cup winner Dynasty’s Blossom. Flying World improved last time in her second run after the blinkers were removed and could be a threat. Trex On Fire made a fair debut and can improve.

 

In the sixth race over 1450m Oklahoma Smokeshow was used up to go to the front last time in what turned out to be a fast-paced race and was not surprisingly unable to maintain it. He now has a good draw and can bounce back. Major Arcana starts off handicapping off a reasonable merit rating, but does not have an easy draw. Ubermensch has improved in the context of this race and from a plum draw can be involved under leading jockey Craig Zackey.

 

In the seventh race over 1450m Warm Reception ran a fair race in the Secretariat Stakes against the boys last time and was two lengths clear of Ovation Star and three lengths clear of Kensal Green, so can confirm the form here. Ovation Star was disappointing in the Secretariat Stakes last time but before that ran a fine second in the Gr 3 TAB Starling Stakes over 1400m. Now back in an ordinary handicap against her own gender, she could make her presence felt from a fair draw. Kensal Green was behind Warm Reception and Ovation Star in the Secretariat , but on previous form is not out of it here. A Bit Of Class has plenty of class, but will likely need this, although she could still make her presence felt from a good draw. Warning Sound is capable of earning here.

 

In the eighth race over 1450m Winds Of Grace is a fair sort and back against her own gender has a big chance over a suitable trip from a good draw. Lady Elliot is a fair sort if things go her way and from pole position she has a shout. Wise Counsel beat Winds Of Grace in the maidens over course and distance by 2,60 lengths last July and if weight for age improvement is taken into account she should not be at a weight disadvantage on paper and this is also her third run after a layoff, so she is an interesting runner, although she does have a wide draw.

 

In the first race Periodic Table will be hard to beat having made an eye-catching debut and then being beaten at odds of 5/10 in a small field second time out in a workriders race.

 

In the second over 1200m Artifact comes out well on collateral formlines and is well drawn, so could represent fair value because at time of writing she is quoted at odds of 6/1 by Hollywoodbets.