There is a double header in KZN this weekend with eight races at Greyville on Friday night and nine at Scottsville on Sunday and some fair chances for punters are in the offing.
At Greyville the first race is open, but each/way value could be found in Banda, a fresh arrival from the stronger Cape maidens. The other tips are Master Of Mischief to beat Eternal Ice in the second, Aficionado to beat the third-run-after-a-long-rest horse Starcraft Prince in the third, Last Tiger (another Cape arrival who looks well weighted) to beat the promising Top Form in the fourth, Golden High to beat Entrée in the fifth, Alessia to beat Lady Ami and Music World in the sixth, the very well weighted Cape arrival Off Ramp to win the seventh despite a wide draw over a trip slightly too sharp with Quintella being the back up, and the admirably hard trying Teppenyaki to beat Burrwood and Temple Rock in the last.
In the first over 1000m at Scottsville Simla’s early pace will allow her to overcome her wide draw and she is the form choice. Kingsview has early pace and is drawn favourably with a 4kg claimer up. Arcetri Dawn is drawn on the right side too and after being fitted with a tongue tie showed pace and improvement over 1200m last time out. Of the first timers Mater Familias by Trippi is a full-sister to the twice Gr 2-placed Paterfamilias. Free State by Ideal World is a full sister to Fear Not who ran an outstanding 1,1 length third to the champion Inara in the Gr 3 Diana Stakes over 1400m last weekend at Durbanville. A Star For Maria by Var is a half-sister to Maria Theresa who won her first two starts over 1200m and 1400m respectively.
In the second over 1000m Sea Urchin lost two lengths on debut on the poly and was green but ran on to finish second to a promising sort, so is the selection from a good draw. Shreya’s Star cost himself in his penultimate start here by fly jumping and losing many lengths but did catch the eye that day and then proved his ability last time out. Bagger Vance has always shown pace over 1200m and is interesting from a favourable draw over a step down in trip.
In the third over 1600m Just Like Magic is a fair sort who has Marcus up from a good draw. Power Of One found some support at long odds on debut and wasn’t disgraced over course and distance behind a classy sort. First Sea Lord has been expensive to follow but the blinkers are off from a good draw over a suitable trip.
In the fourth over 1600m Grand Jury caught the eye on debut over 1400m on the poly, when slow away and green before running on, and being by Ideal World good improvement can be expected. Modernista improved over course and distance last time and has a better draw. Toll Free ran on well over 1400m here last time when having a hard task from a wide draw.
In the fifth race Barbosa has been in fine form on the poly over this trip and likes this course too, so is interesting back to 1000m on the turf. The pacey Normanz gets a good draw for a change down the straight of his Gr 1 win and he looks well weighted on best form. Mr Whatever is a course and distance specialist but has to defy a six point merit rating raise. Flyfirstclass has pace and should have come on from his last run, although he is four points higher in the merit ratings. Tiger Territory is talented on his day and can’t be ignored.
In the sixth over 1000m, Regardstobroadway has a phobia about the pens but was impressive when winning on debut so could be the one to side with from a low draw off a mere 72 merit rating. Her stablemate Elephant Matriarch should be right there over her ideal distance from a favourable draw. Miss Argentina steps back in trip but could appreciate it with blinkers on and a 4kg claimer up. Black Velvet has pace which could help her overcome her high draw. Kept Secret is drawn well and has a chance if able to get a clear run in the closing stages. Fly Peg Fly has a 4kg claimer on and can’t be ignored. Vampirella was considered good enough to run in the Allan Robertson but doesn’t have it easy as a three-year-old making her comeback off an 83 merit rating.
In the seventh over 1400m Rikitikitana was impressive over 1600m here last time and looks progressive. Main Submission is also highly promising and should continue to progress, while Rap Attack falls into the same category. Translunar and Nineteen Fourteen make most appeal of the older horses.
In the eighth over 1400m Mission Rapids won impressively last time on the Greyville poly when losing ground due to a handler and the consequent hold up tactics appeared to be the key which unlocked her considerable ability. True Assett beat a good sort last time out over this trip in Cape Town, where the form is stronger, so she has a fine chance from an ideal low draw for her front running style. Lauderdale is a Gr 1 winner but has a tough task off a 101 merit rating, especially considering the jury is still out on the strength of last season’s two-year-old fillies Gr 1s.
In the ninth over 1400m Seek The Summit has improved with blinkers and could claim a hattrick from a good draw under Marcus. Private Dancer and Dizzy Feet make most appeal of the rest.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Rikitikitana (Nkosi Hlophe)
