Turffontein stages a low key meeting on Sunday on the Standside track and there appear to be a few opportunities for punters.
The highest rated race on the card is the sixth, a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1400m. St. John Gray has been in good form recently and his charge Captain Aldo has an outstanding record over this course and distance with three wins and two seconds from six starts. Captain Aldo is only 0,5kg under sufferance with the latter and is the joint second best in at the weights behind topweight Cool Chardonnay, who would prefer further. Captain Aldo has a plum draw of two and at the weights should turn it around with Finchatton, who beat him last time they met over course and distance.
Gavin Lerena
The main danger could be Amazing Strike, who has always been well regarded and has been in fine recent form with a win over 1160m, a win over 1400m and then a third place in the Grade 2 Post Merchants over 1200m. He was ridden by Anthony Delpech in all three of those races and Delpech is back aboard from a reasonable draw of five in the ten horse field. He wears his usual cornell collar and is only 0,5kg under sufferance with Captain Aldo, so should go close. The three-year-old Jiffy has always had class and is going for a hattrick over an ideal trip, so will also be a big runner under Gavin Lerena.
He is officially 1kg under sufferance with Captain Aldo, but looks to be progressive and has to be included in the Pick 6 and Jackpot from draw three. Finchatton has a bit of a cloud hanging over his head after feeling amiss last time at Scottsville and running downfield. He also has a tough draw to overcome, but does have the ability to be a contender. Moofeed is another one with the ability to win and from pole position draw his strong finish could be used to maximum effect. However, he has become unreliable and is hard to fancy.
In the seventh race, a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m, the Trippi filly Guns And Roses is coming off a hattrick from 1475m to 1600m looks to be full of promise. She is also versatile in running style as she can be handy or come from off the pace. She is a half-sister to a horse who won over 1900m and on running style she also looks likely to stay. Her good turn of foot coupled with her finishing effort will make her suited to the long straight of the Standside track. The topweight Alexa has some class and can also produce a strong finish, so looks the man danger over an ideal course and distance.
In the second race, a Maiden Juvenile Plate for fillies over 1400m, the Await The Dawn filly Perfidia makes appeal and has been selected as the best bet on the card. She caught the eye staying on over 1200m on debut and has a fair draw of five over a step up in trip she will relish. The form of the race is fair and she does not face an inspiring field.
The first leg of the Pick 6, a Juvenile Plate over 1160m, is a contest to look forward to. Secret Harbour could be anything after a good winning debut, but Snowboarding won a good race over this course and distance in his penultimate start and the form has worked out, while Alfolk, despite being a touch disappointing, has always struck as one with ability, so should also be right there.
The value bet has been selected to be Sheet Weaver in the last race, a MR72 handicap over 1800m, as it always pays to note a son of Ideal World winning in his four-year-old year as his progeny continually improve with age. This consistent sort is only three points higher for the win and as one who can come from off the pace the course and distance is ideal.
By David Thiselton
