The Turffontein eight race meeting tomorrow sees an interesting first-timer stepping out in race one and there are a number of other intriguing races to look forward to.

The Rocketman is a three-year-old colt by Foxwedge, who won a weight for age Grade 1 event, defeating the like of Hay List, who was the biggest rival of the great undefeated 15-time Grade 1-winning mare Black Caviar. The Rocketman is out of the General Niedym mare Sister Havana, who comfortably won New Zealand’s richest race, the Karaka Million over 1200m for two-year-old graduates of the Karaka Sale. The Rocketman comes from the family of other successful South African-based horses like Brazuca, Rich Girl, Global News and Suyoof, and he was purchased for Aus $126,364. Piere Strydom rides him in tomorrow’s Maiden over 1400m and they jump from a plum draw of two. He does not look to have a lot to beat. Mooney is improving and should relish the step up in trip as well as the long straight as he was staying on well over 1200m on the tight Inside track last time. Hard Ball has shown glimpses of promise and after showing no interest over 2000m last time he is dropped to this trip with the blinkers fitted. However, he does appear to have his problems.

Sovereign Reign

One of the most interesting races on the card is the seventh, a Novice Handicap over 1800m. Defy Gravity was staying on resolutely over 1900m at Greyville last time for a 5,25 length fourth. Two promising horses, Roy Had Enough and Opera Royal, were the front pair there, so he could feature over a course and distance he should enjoy from a good draw. However, it is an open race. Edisson covers quite a lot of ground and on pedigree might well enjoy the step up in trip. He is by Vodacom Durban July winner Bold Silvano and his dam, an Argentinian-bred by Orpen called She’s So Cold, won on debut over 1200m as a juvenile and next time out went close over 1500m.

Edisson did not enjoy much luck last time when staying on from near the back over 1450m on the Inside track and gave the impression he would prefer this more galloping track. Stunned would likely prefer further, but S’Manga Khumalo has been doing well for St. John Gray and this horse has dropped to a competitive merit rating. He should enjoy this galloping track too. The one who could prove to be a cut above the rest in time is the three-year-old American Indian, who won a Maiden Juvenile Plate by 4,4 lengths over 1700m at the Vaal in June and the third placed horse was a further six lengths back. However, the form is questionable and Defy Gravity did beat him, albeit by a short-head in an earlier meeting over 1600m.

Furthermore, Defy Gravity had a run at the end of July, while American Indian has not run since June. On the other hand American Indian does appear to be a more scopey sort. Both have hard tasks running off 82 merit ratings as young three-year-olds. Man At War stayed on well over 1600m last time from a favourable draw on the Vaal Outside track and this rangy type looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip and the galloping track. He does have a tough draw though. Cascapedia won on debut over 1400m in April, but made breathing noises and hasn’t run since. She has a tough task carrying topweight against the boys, although she has been given a Northern Hemisphere allowance as an Irish-bred who is six months younger than her four-year-old contemporaries.

The best bet has been chosen as Sofii’s Miesque in the second as she looked to have scope in her good debut over this 1160m course and distance and she is being ridden by the unstoppable S’Manga Khumalo.

Beckoning, running in the last, is not the most reliable, but Khumalo and St. John Gray team up with her in the last over 1400m. This capable sort is ideally course and distance suited and is chosen as the value bet.

Celtic Lady has been made a PA banker in race 6 over 1000m as she has proven competitive off her lowered merit rating and she has come down a further point. This is an ideal course and distance and Gavin Lerena is aboard.

By David Thiselton