David Thiselton

The Gr 3 Betway Victory Moon Stakes is an important pointer to the Betway Summer Cup and Legend Of Arthur could bounce back in this 1800m event today at Turffontein Standside.

Sean Tarry said recently Legend Of Arthur’s downturn in form last season was due to an allergy problem which was likely bought on by all the winter dust and he added he seemed to be over it. He made his reappearance over a way too sharp 1160m and was not at all disgraced in finishing 5,65 lengths behind the Gr 1-winning sprinter Buffalo Storm Cody. Legend Of Arthur carries 59kg on Sunday and if this Gr 1 SA Derby winner is at his best then he should run on well after being dropped out from a wide draw of ten. However, he is definitely not a confident choice and punters will have to go wide in the Pick 6 for this race. The Ultimate King is held in high regard, but he will have to prove he is up to it, because on official merit ratings he is 3,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair Thunee Playa and Money Heist. Wild Intent, who is only 2kg under sufferance, was a narrow runner up in the SA Derby and he will have benefited from his last run over 1450m and could be in the shake up. Navajo Nation has been in fair form and could earn again from pole position, although he is 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted pair. Field Marshall is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance and has a fair draw and he comes off  good run in the Michaelmas over 1900m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. His stablemate Shoot The Rapids has some class too and is also only half-a-kilogram under sufferance, although he does have a tricky draw of eight. Thunee Playa comes off a win over 2000m where he ran on well. He carries only 51kg and will have to run on strongly again as he will likely be dropped out from a wide draw. Money Heist is in good form too. He is generally kept to a mile, but he has run twice over middle distances before and he went close in one of them and was well beaten last time he tried. His dam by Lecture was a sprinter, so this Gimmethegreenlight gelding has a slight stamina doubt. Son Of Raj enjoys this course and distance but will have to bounce back from his last run in which he was beaten 8,10 lengths by Thunee Playa, with whom he is now 1kg worse off. Don’t Cry For Me is a bit in and out and this is because he tends to take a strong hold. He is only 2kg under sufferance and could be involved if finding cover from a wide draw. Two Miles West was beaten 5,70 lengths by Thunee Playa last time and is now 2kg worse off. Solar Sail was third in the SA Derby and has the ability to be a player, but he has a wide draw. It is a tough race and going as wide as possible is the suggestion.

The Listed Betway Summer Pudding Handicap is also wide open. Mocha Blend has a lot of class and should be coming into her own, so has a chance from a good draw despite having to carry joint topweight. Gerbera comes off a fine run when beaten just 1,75 lengths against a strong field of males, so will go close if repeating that effort, although she has a tricky draw of seven. Twostep Queen won well last time out just eight days before this race and will be right there with a repeat. Tomyris has class and should be cherry ripe so can go close over an ideal trip. Sukhumvit beat Gerbera by 1,65 lengths last time and is only 1kg worse off, but she does have a tough draw. Kisshoten is in fine form but has to carry joint topweight from a wide draw.

In the Listed Betway National Colour Stakes over 1000m Whistle The Tune has speed and class and is the one to beat if close to her best after a three month layoff, although it won’t be easy carrying 61kg off a 112 merit rating. Alpine Jet looks to have plenty of ability and is a big threat, despite officially being 3,5kg under sufferance, because she should rise above her 103 rating. Frozen Fantasy has the ability to earn here and has a potentially favourable high draw. Almond Sea starts slowly, which makes it tough for her being a sprinter, but she certainly has the ability to be thereabouts if breaking better than usual. Sonic Jet is in the handicap and could earn if low draws do not turn out to be a big disadvantage.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1160m Buffalo Storm Cody impressed in his comeback and will be hard to beat. William Robertson is the back up.

In the eight race over 1800m Taegan’s Champ bounced back last time and if building on that can get back to winning ways. Mastership is a decent sort who might be ready to step up to this trip. Aladdin’s Lamp has the form to be a contender here and should have come on from his last start. Pioneer Square is in good form and should be right there. Birthright is a capable sort and could also be included.

In the ninth over 1600m Impact Investor is knocking hard and could get it right this time from pole position with Lerena up. Dark Silver is in fine form and also has a good draw and he enjoys this trip. Buddy Boy is still learning so could improve on his last start. Dance King has the ability to be in the shake up. Player could be a factor if bouncing back for an in form yard.

In the first leg of the PA Milan’s World and Taskmaster could fight it out.

In the first leg of the Bipot Amazonian looks the one to beat, but Inspiration and Hathighwaytothesky must be included too.