The Turffontein Standside track stages an eight race meeting tomorrow which features the Gr 3 Lebelo Sprint over 1000m and there are also some quality horses turning out in an eight race meeting at the same venue on Monday.
Rivarine (Nkosi Hlophe)
Rivarine went down to the top class sprinter Green Pepper last time out over this trip at the Vaal by just a head despite giving her 7,5kg, so looks hard to beat in the Lebelo Sprint, despite the presence of the older Gr 1-performing sprinter African Ruler. Swinging it in Rivarine’s favour firstly is his high draw, which tends to be favourable on this straight course. Secondly the race is run under handicap conditions. Rivarine is capable of rising above his current merit rating of 98 and this is especially in light of Green Pepper now being rated 106. Rivarine has in form Lyle Hewitson up. African Ruler can’t be written off especially as he has the magician Andrew Fortune aboard. Captain’s Causeway and Wrecking Ball could earn as the form of their last clash over 1160m has been franked. The speedy Seattle Singer will appreciate the step down to 1000m, so could be dangerous having snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight.
The value bet of the day is Anna Pavlova in the fourth race, as she has impressed in her wins and looks capable of going places, although she does have a tough draw here.
On Monday the classy Being Fabulous returns in a MR 76 Handicap over 1600m after running third in the Gr 3 Fillies Mile in just her third career start. She looks capable of rising above her merit rating of 83 and will be hard to beat from a draw of six under regular pilot Gavin Lerena.
The sixth is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1400m. The long-striding Doosra looks likely to appreciate the step down to this trip at this stage of his career and is the one to beat under Lerena, despite a wide draw. Furiosa looks to have some class and could be a threat receiving 3kg from Doosra, while Daffiq is a classy sort who looks ideally distance suited and he should be fit enough despite returning from a six month layoff as he comes from the Mike de Kock yard.
The seventh is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1160m for fillies and mares. French Legend is a classy sort who looks capable of going places and her best effort to date has come over this trip. Arissa has ability and Queenie was bought into the Mike Azzie yard after her impressive last run, but is back with Tony Nassiff after a dispersal sale and is returning from a nine month layoff.
By David Thiselton
