David Thiselton

The eight race meeting at Turffontein Standside today is highlighted by a MR96 Handicap over 2000m and it could well see the impressive Sea The Stars colt Mission To Mars proving himself an exciting prospect.

The Stuart Pettigrew-trained Irish-bred import will be having only his third career start as a six-year-old gelding, hardly credentials to get anybody excited, but he has been eye-catching in both career starts. On debut over 1500m he came from a hopeless position with a telling finish to be beaten just 0,60 lengths into second. Second time out he sat in the box seat and pulled clear under the hands to win by 10,50 lengths. He was accorded an 86 merit rating and if he is as good as he visually appeared to be then he should be a short-priced favourite to win this race. A good draw of two will aid his cause.

The topweight The Playboy Bomber had had three starts over 2000m for two wins and a second and with a 2,5kg claimer up he could make his presence felt if able to overcome a wide draw.

Coup De Grace six-year-old gelding Prince Of Kildare had generally been kept to races of a mile and shorter until being stepped up to 2000m last time and, as he stayed on well and only just failed, middle distances could now be his game, so he could be the chief threat.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Mrs Stormiatrix turned the corner in the second half of the 2025/2026 season when kept to 1000m, winning three and finishing second in five starts over that trip. She has a nice middle draw and regular rider Calvin Habib stays aboard. Lonely As A Cloud sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight and comes off a good run over this trip. Pivotal Role had shown promise before a four month layoff and over this trip can get away with a bit of ring rustiness.

In the next race over 1000m Mount Pinatubo is 7,5kg better off with African Pride for a two length beating in June and looks the one to beat. African Pride can bounce back from his disappointing run on Gold Cup day in which he might not have enjoyed being under the lights for the first time. He came out a hundred percent sound and the fast ground will suit him. Karate Kid is in fine form but is perhaps drawn on the wrong side. However, he is able to come from off them so might be dropped out.

In the fifth race over 2000m Dual Prophecy bounced back to form last time and being 2kg better off with Guerilla Warfare for a 1,75 length beating he could be the one to side with. Guerilla Warfare could easily follow up as that was his first attempt at the trip and he came through it with flying colours. Those two should fight it out.

In the seventh over 1600m Harun Al Rashid looks to be off a competitive mark and can win over a suitable trip from a fair draw. Sky Pilot beat him by 0,90 lengths last time and is now 2kg worse off but there is a reversal of draw fortunes in his favour so there shouldn’t be much in it. Winding Power has come into her own and should be right there from a fair draw.

In the eighth over 1400m Rising Eagle looks to be a sort who can progress off an 87 rating, but he does have to overcome a wide draw in this suitable step up in trip. Spirit Of Gabz has some fair form and has proved he enjoys this trip, so he should be right there from a decent draw. Southampton has a form chance and with Gavin Lerena up might be able to overcome a tricky draw.

In the second race over 1160m Trompe L’Oeil caught the eye on debut and could beat Geostorm who is capable of better than last time and is drawn on the right side by trends.

In the first over 1160m Purple Rain and Jack’s Legacy have the form to fight it out.