Turffontein Inside stages a nine race card today and punters will be looking to accumulate some betting money for the forthcoming Sansui Summer Cup meeting.

S’Manga Khumalo

In the first over 1450m Youcanrockme had to be used up to get handy from a wide draw over 1400m on the Standside last time but still ran a fair race and from a good draw this time could go close over a course and distance that could well suit her better. Redaire was awkwardly away on debut and green and was also tight for room in the closing stages. She reportedly made a breathing noise, but with natural improvement for a very much in form yard she should be right there despite a wide draw. Gavin Lerena has kept the ride. Banking April broke slowly from a tough draw on debut over 1000 and stayed on well, so should enjoy this step up in trip. Love Tryst and Snowdonia could earn. Of the first timers Sylvianna by Silvano cost R600,000 and is a half-sister to a Joshua Dancer colt who won over 1200m at Clairwood on debut. New Delhi is by Tiger Ridge out of a Rich Man’s Gold mare and is a half-sister to a Dynasty filly who won second time out over 1000m at Clairwood.

The second is a Graduation Plate over 1450m and Trophy Wife is best in at the weights and distance suited. The champion yard should have her fit enough and she is drawn in pole. Stablemate Imperial Gold should have benefitted from his last run, which followed an eight month layoff and gelding, and could follow her home. The disappointing Anjaal is a capable sort who can never been relied on and this is probably his optimum trip.

The third is a Maiden over 1200m and Justash with Gavin Lerena could be the one to side with in this weak event as he should appreciate the step back in trip and is well drawn. His hard knocking form is on sand but his three turf runs have been in strong company. Mississippi Rising has some fair form and should be thereabouts despite returning from a six month layoff. Calapan is drawn wide but has some pace and others to consider are Cry Of The Toreador and Ashkenazi.

Just Lucky (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fourth over 1600m Road To Indy made late progress in a well contested maiden over 1160m on debut and will relish the step up in trip so gets the vote from a good draw. Connaught Hotel was doing eyecatching late work against a promising sort over 1600m last time and with further improvement should be a contender for an in form yard, although he does have a tricky draw. Diamond Conker has a good draw for a change and should put in a bold bid.

In the fifth, a handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m, Heaps Of Fun was not disgraced when fifth in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup after having to be eased at the start and from a fair draw over a suitable trip should go close. Nikki won her maiden easily over 1200m against a weak field but should improve over this trip so should be a big runner from a good draw off a lenient merit rating. For The Lads is a distance Gr 1 winner running off a merit rating of 79 and Gavin Lerena has kept the ride after she ran on late last time over 1400m on the Standside course, so she is a most interesting runner. Sweet Habanero and Tell My Star are others to consider.

The sixth is a MR 70 Handicap over 1600m and Tabreek could be the one having been unlucky in his first run as a gelding last time over course and distance. He has been given a four point raise but is well drawn again. Rocketball has a touch of class and turf might be what he has been looking for after a string of good runs on the Greyville poly, although he does have a tough draw to overcome and the handicapper punished him three points for his last run. Facebook has been coming into his own and enjoys this course and distance so he could be involved. Regal Force and Kidmambo make most appeal of the rest.

Baracah (Nkosi Hlophe)

The seventh is a MR 80 Handicap over 2600m. Silver Matador has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight and he should be finishing as strongly as he did last time over course and distance. Top Shot has improved with blinkers and looks likely to relish this trip so he will likely go close with a light weight and Khumalo up from a good draw.  Supertube will love the course and distance and has Strydom up. Noble Star and Enaad also have to be considered.

In the eighth, a MR 76 Handicap over 1800m, Lava Flow has always had some class and bounced back to his best when blinkers were refitted last time so from pole position he should go close as he was running on in that 1600m race and is now drawn in pole off the same merit rating. Baracah has ability and will likely appreciate the step down in trip so off a lowered merit rating and from a god draw he could represent some value. Super Glue probably needed his last run quite badly and was far from disgraced, while being by Ideal World he should be coming into his own, so he is an interesting runner in his second run after a layoff of nearly a year. American Magic and Respectable Ruler make most appeal of the rest.

In the ninth, a MR 67 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m, Grand Epoque is off a competitive merit rating and could go close over a suitable trip if able to get handy from a wide draw without being used up too much. There is not much between her and Shawl and the latter does have a better draw so is a big runner. Spurwing Summer is drawn in pole and proved last time out over 2200m that she is competitive off this merit rating, while her only win has been over this course and distance.

By David Thiselton