The pool for Saturday’s Pick 6 for the Gr 1 Sansui Summer Cup meeting at Turffontein is expected to reach R5 million after the injection of a R1,5 million carryover. All six legs are Graded Stakes events.

The first leg is the Gr 2 AmTote Merchants over 1160m. Races 1 and 3 on the card are over the same distance and punters should watch for any draw bias.

Copper Parade (JC Photo)

Copper Parade prefers fast ground so rain will affect his chances. The eight-year-old won the Gr 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m less than two years ago and in that race got the fast pace  which allowed him to free wheel at his high cruising speed before using his devastating turn of foot. He will certainly get a fast pace in this big field sprint and has dropped to a 101 merit rating from 116, as well as being drawn on what is usually the right side, so if in the mood could go close.

Doing It For Dan was raised four points for his easy last win but trainer Louis Goosen has a knack of extracting continual improvement from his classy sprinters. Trip To Heaven’s last run can be ignored as he was slow away and rushed and he is capable of carrying top weight to victory. Tiger Territory was desperately unlucky last time out when cruising in behind horses with nowhere to go, so is potentially well handicapped. The scopey Arabian Beat won the Gr 1 Nursery and despite a layoff of nearly five months trainer Dominic Zaki reckoned he would be close to his peak and gave him a “big chance with that low weight”. Brutal Force has improved with gelding. Toro Rosso loves to gallop and is dropped back in trip. Al Don Cumarco is an impressive specimen and Gavin Lerena will suit him. Whiteline Fever, Aurum Pot and Amazing Strike are three others that could be considered.

The fifth race is the Gr 3 Joshua Doore/Russells Fillies Mile and the classy and progressive Madame Dubois should love the course and distance and is a potential banker from pole position despite having to give the field 1kg. The improving Joan Ranger could be a threat being 1kg better off with Madame Dubois for a neck beating in the Starling Stakes over 1400m, but there is a reversal in draw fortunes. Sapsan is the only danger to the front two on current form, although the gigantic Persian Rug could do better if the ground is soft and Shaama might bounce back to form having her third run after a rest.

Trip To Heaven (JC Photo)

The sixth is the Gr 2 Investec Dingaans over 1600m and the impressive Noah From Goa is a possible banker as he should relish the step up in trip. Unbelievable Chad ran away with the rider last time but is usually a relaxed type and is now familiar with the course. So if able to tuck in from a wide draw his big stride will carry him close. Bull Valley should be cherry-ripe for this his target race. New Predator won his maiden impressively over course and distance and the form has worked out well. Long-striding Abashiri is top class and should be suited to the standside track, but this is his first start of the season, as there was nothing suitable for him, and although the yard have him as fit as possible trainer Mike Azzie added, “There is nothing like one run under the belt, so I’m approaching the race with caution.” Lineker has class and should just about stay the trip. Rikitikitana has caught the eye on occasion.

The seventh is the Sansui Summer Cup and will be reviewed tomorrow.

The eighth is the Gr 2 Bradlows/Morkels Ipi Tombe Challenge over 1600m. Trophy Wife will have come on from her last start and over her probable favourite course and distance is the third of the possible bankers. Smart Call needed her last start over 1400m and will appreciate the step up in trip but does have to give 2kg to most of the field including Trophy Wife. Bichette beat Smart Call  comfortably in her last start over 1450m and is now 1kg better off, but is not certain to enjoy the step up in trip. Love To Sail might prove to be suited to this trip. Featherfoot should be coming into her own being by Silvano but has a tough task at the weights.

The ninth race is the Gauteng Racing Association Handicap over 3200m. Weiho Marwing has a superb record in staying races at Turffontein and Fulcrum and Cool Chardonnay both look to be out-and-out stayers and should be involved. The classy topweight Storm Warning should finish on top of Fulcrum. J’s Outsider has to be included too, as the winner of the Gold Bowl over course and distance. Wild Ash is a big filly with some class and plenty of stamina. Savage Wind can never be ignored.

By David Thiselton