Turffontein stages a nine race meeting tomorrow and the most interesting event is the fifth, a Graduation Plate over 1600, which features some good horses including the courageous Tiger Ridge filly Trophy Wife and the Australian-bred Teofilo colt Brazuca.

Trophy Wife is 2kg better off than any other horse in the race according to official merit ratings and her merit rating of 103 has been well earned. This is her first run since May, but she is ultra consistent as well as tough and Champion Trainer Sean Tarry’s charges have often been seen to come out after successful three-year-old campaigns and win first up as four-year-olds. The rest clearly does them good and Trophy Wife will likely arrive on course with considerable vigour and she has a good draw too.

Brazuca (Nkosi Hlophe)

Three-year-old Brazuca’s merit rating of 109, due to an unlucky short-head second in a Gr 1 over 1400m, is questionable considering he won his maiden last time out by 0,3 lengths. However, that was firstly over the too sharp 1200m and he beat a well-pedigreed Australian-bred first-timer, while the horse who finished a 2,9 length fourth came out and won a good race next time out over 1450m. However, he doesn’t have an easy draw and has some tough nuts to crack in just his fourth career start.

Four-year-old Majestic Bay finished a 0,5 length second to Mitraad over 1400m last time out and the latter went on to finish third in the Gr 2 Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile. However, he does have quite a tough draw.

Front Rank is 2kg worse off than Majestic Bay according to official merit ratings, but is a bit of an in and out sort and on his day can match it with some of the best of them. This is a suitable trip and he should be running on strongly from draw two with Gavin Lerena up.

The other three runners standing their ground, Nahoon Beach, Diesel Power and The Fifth Day are way out at the weights.

The selection is Trophy Wife to beat Front Rank and Brazuca.

The tip for the first race is the talented High Drama, who should have benefitted from gelding.

Night On The Hill could beat the well-bred Span Die Seile in the second.

Captainofmyheart could beat the first-timer Cherokee Grey in the third.

Gusheshe was backed on debut and could improve enough to win the fourth.

The sixth is competitive and Polly Wolly Doodle is the tip off a lenient merit rating and Arctic Route and Noor could follow her home.

The seventh could see a follow up win for Flaming Spirit, who should be coming into her own being by Silvano.

Oreo Shake looks to be the one to beat in the eighth and Lunar Approach might prove too classy in the ninth.

By David Thiselton

Black Arthur, held in high regard by Justin Snaith, is to be aimed at the Investec Cape Derby on January 30 after the extraordinary performance he put up when winning a mile maiden at Kenilworth last week.

It was only his second start and he carried a kilo overweight yet he was backed down to odds-on. However Bernard Fayd’Herbe was obliged to drop back and tuck in near the rear after failing to get in from his eight draw.

The colt made up a lot of ground in the straight to hit the front 50m out and win easing up, seemingly with plenty in hand.

Chris Snaith said: “Black Arthur is basically a stayer but he has come to hand late and we don’t want to push him. We hope to have him ready for the Derby and he may run in the Politician Stakes three weeks beforehand.”

By Michael Clower

Picture: Justin Snaith

Last Saturday’s R2 million Bloodstock SA Ready To Run Cup winner Lineker may stay in Johannesburg to plunder further rich prizes on the Highveld.

Chris Snaith said yesterday: “We still have to talk to the owners to see what they want to do but our feeling is that the Gauteng Guineas would be a lot easier to win than the Grand Parade Cape Guineas.”

Mike Bass’s recovery from his death’s door illness will be taken a significant step nearer in a fortnight’s time when he has the prosthetic fitted to his right leg that had to be amputated below the knee in order to save his life.

The Milnerton trainer is still suffering from the damage done to some of his nerves and it is hoped that his daily physio sessions will go a long way towards putting this right.

Son Mark said: “He is making very slow progress but the fact that there is progress is a good sign.”

Daughter Candice and fellow assistant trainer Robert Fayd’Herbe missed the stable’s success with Kryptonite in yesterday’s 1 400m maiden because they were stuck in the lift. They used, not the main lift, but the service lift nearest the reserved car park and this remained jammed for almost an hour.

Trainer Eric Sands, on the mark with 50-1 shot Streak Of Silver in the opener, arrived at Kenilworth on crutches with his right foot in a surgical boot. He broke bones falling off a ladder and will have to wear the boot for between six and eight weeks.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Eric Sands

Greyville stages a nine race midweek meeting on the poly today and there look to be some good opportunities for punters.

In race 1 over 1200m Brigtnumberfive made a promising debut over 1000m at Scottsville and was still green so with natural improvement is the one to beat. Euthenia is having her third run after a layoff and will likely attempt to steal it from a better draw than she had last time when tiring late and finishing second over course and distance. Between The Sheets made a fair comeback after a year’s layoff at Scottsville over 1000m when finishing 4,75 lengths behind a promising sort but is a temperamental sort so a lot will depend on how she behaves in the prelims. Roy’s Dancer is by Western Winter and is a half-sister to the consistent 85 merit rated Mumsy’s Jet. Ntokazi by Mullins Bay looks the pick of the Howells first-timers on riding arrangements and her full-brother Mount Hillaby finished second in the R3 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup two years ago.

Master James (Nkosi Hlophe)

In race 2, a Maiden over 1600m, New Hampshire should relish the step up in trip on pedigree, being by Dynasty out of an SA Oaks winner, but can’t be tipped confidently as he shows a fair amount of speed and pulled for his head over 1200m last time. Soldier’s Code has a wide draw but is likely still improving and with Delpech up will make a bold bid as he has done well over course and distance before. Shine Up ran on over 1400m last time and should be thereabouts from a good draw.  Bankable Teddy improved last time with blinkers over this trip on the Turffontein Inside course and stayed all the way to the line.  Team Guys nearly made all over 1800m last time and is probably better suited to that trip, but could earn. Royal Champion is another one who can’t be ignored in an open race.

In race 3, over 1600m, Zaida strikes as a progressive type and with Delpech up could follow up on her maiden win over a step up in trip she should relish. Beautiful Jet has fine form but returns from a nine month layoff. She does not show much at home but has had a couple of gallops. The draw is not a concern as she always drops out and runs on strongly. Classy Looker could earn dropped back to this trip. Le Çhat D’Amour, drawn in pole, has done well over this trip before but would prefer further.  Timeforatiger enjoys the poly from 1600m upward but Sean Veale, who handles her temperamental quirks best, has jumped ship on to Classy Looker. Rock Of Laudium could earn if bouncing back from a tailed off run when the jockey believed something was amiss.

In the fourth over 1600m, Queen Of Credit finished only 3,8 lengths back in a Gr 1 over 1400m on July day and having not been disgraced against the boys last time over 1400m should be cherry ripe and in with a good chance off a mere 71 merit rating. The draw is only a slight concern as she likes to run from off the pace. Jive Session ran a fine race in her penultimate over course and distance and now has Marcus up from a good draw.  Off Ramp has a chance with Delpech up despite a wide draw. She should have benefitted from her last run over 1200m and will likely prefer this trip.

Le Chat D’Amour (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the fifth over 1600m Master James returns to the distance of his wins and should be cherry ripe in his third run after gelding. Buffalo Bill gets a good draw for a chancg and will go close over what now looks to be his ideal trip. Way Of Light is a progressive sort who is also course and distance suited but the handicapper might be getting to grips with him now. Gold Bank is in fine form and has a chance. Tell The Tale has ability and has a chance if reproducing his best from a good draw.

In the sixth over 1600m Petite Master is said to be in a good space by his yard and from pole position over an ideal course and distance off a reduced merit rating is the one to beat. Charles My Boy won in good style last time and the handicapper hasn’t been harsh on him. Peter Piper is always a threat if behaving himself.

In the seventh over 2000m Battle Hammer was slow away and raced wide when going close over course and distance in his penultimate start so could win from a good draw with Fortune up. Spirit Of Dover went close in his first try at this trip. Night Shadow had been a disappointing type until stepped up to 1800m and winning easily so is interesting stepped up to 2000m. Mr Winsome won well but is off a tough merit rating. Avaricious improved last time and Marcus is now up.

In the eighth over 1400m Jade Vine runs off a merit rating almost 30 points lower than her sand merit rating and is hard to oppose from a good draw over a suitable trip. Chennai Babe and Leylani make most appeal of the rest.

In the ninth over 1000m Wishful Heart runs off a merit rating 20 points lower than his sand rating and is drawn well with Marcus up over a suitable trip. Super Guppy had a sudden form return when beating a fair sort over this trip easily on the Vaal sand last time out and is running off a merit rating 18 points lower than his sand rating. Thunder Run should make a bold bid from the front.

By David Thiselton

Turffontein has the first of its summer series of night races tomorrow evening and there are usually some good opportunities for punters on the fair Standside track.

In the first over 1400m Green Goddess finished well on debut from a wide draw over 1450m on the inside track and although she has another wide draw she looks likely to appreciate the more galloping Standside track. She is six months older than Christmas Carol and only has to give her 1kg. Christmas Carol stayed on well on debut over 1000m and will relish the step up on trip being a full-sister to Castle Tankard winner Winter’s Night. Zafira is by Silvano out of a Fort Wood mare but the full-brother has been disappointing.

Smart Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the second over 1400m Magical Moon led over 1600m last time before being run out of it and although he did not really give the impression that the step down to 1400m would be  more suitable, his class could carry him through from a good draw being a half-brother to the like of Jackson, Jade Vine and Heartland. My Favourite Brown likely needed his last start when catching the eye staying on over 1000m on the Inside track from a wide draw and he should love the step up in trip. Koncealed, who is out of a half-sister to the champion Promisefrommyheart, was staying on over 1200m last time from a tough draw at the Vaal and could have done better considering he cast a shoe.

In the third over 2000m Penteliko should be improving all the time being by Go Deputy and his good draw will suit his handy style. He fought back bravely over 1950m at Scottsville last time and will be a tough nut to crack. Scare Tactics enjoyed this trip last time when running on from a wide draw and only just failed to get there in time, so looks likely to appreciate the Standside track’s long straight. Talbec by High Chaparal was not disgraced on debut over 1600m and gave the impression he would relish this trip and further. Piere Strydom has stayed aboard Thiel who made late progress over 1800m last time. Arabian Bay is a well exposed but consistent sort. Yours And Mine is distance suited and could earn.

In the fourth over 2000m the outcome could depend on how well Peg ‘O My Heart jumps because on visual analysis she has the ability to win this if breaking on terms for a change from pole position. Terepova has been knocking on the door over 1600m and could attempt to dictate with Delpech now up and, although he is not 100% sure to enjoy this trip on pedigree, trainer Weiho Marwing sure knows how to get them to stay. Fortissima stayed on well over 1800m last time and is drawn well with Fortune up.  Laurel Cherry is likely to be staying on dourly but being a typically big daughter of Ideal World she is likely not enjoying the current hard ground. Rich And Dark disappointed last time but on best form will be a threat from a plum draw. Oblivion and Peggy Jay should be staying on too.

In the fifth over 2000m, American Magic has been competitive since his maiden win and over a suitable trip is drawn in pole with Piere Strydom up. Commodore Al is two points lower than his last turf start when not disgraced over this trip. Jubilee Line is well regarded and should be distance suited so could possibly defy a MR 84 merit rating in his first handicap. Africain has proved he is competitive off his current merit rating over this trip. Like A Boss has won twice in three starts over this trip and Lerena remains aboard off a five point higher merit rating for his last win. Ilitshe has won a Listed race over course and distance before but will have needed to have improved a lot from his last start which followed a break of more than a year. Delamere bounced back to form with a win over 1800m last time and is only two points higher but is widely drawn.

The sixth over 1400m the top class Smart Call is well weighted and the key to her, hold up tactics, has been found. She is returning from a layoff, but her yard is in fine form. Bichette is versatile and could be a threat. Kwinta has class and could be dangerous from pole position. Featherfoot is likely to be coming into her own being by Silvano. Drifting Dusk is interesting over this trip as one who always stays on well over sprints.

In the seventh over 1000m Silver Class proved suited to the step down in trip last time and looks hard to beat. Speedy Suzy is the danger and Miss December could earn.

In the eighth over 1160m Rough Justice looks to be off an attractive merit rating and is tipped to win. Will Pays has some class and will appreciate the step up in trip after winning over 1000m last time which earned him a four point raise. The progressive Thrust was staying on over1000m last time and is 1kg better off with Will Pays for a one length beating.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Smart Call (Nkosi Hlophe)

There were two meetings at Greyville this weekend and patrons had a particularly festive time at the Halloween theme gathering on Friday night.

Sunday’s nine race meeting saw the long awaited return of the turf, which staged six of the nine races on the card, and the day was dedicated to Gold Circle staff who had given over 30 years of service.

The highlight was a turf Pinnacle Stakes race over 1200m and all eyes in this event were on Ice Machine and Power King, who were having preparations before heading for big race engagements in Cape Town and Johannesburg respectively. The former had to switch at the top of the straight after a slow start and had too much to do, finishing fourth, while the latter finished a flying third. The Craig Eudey-trained Flyfirstclass was more at home over this trip than the two big names and won comfortably under Alec Forbes.

Future Fantastic (Nkosi Hlophe)

In the previous race, a turf Conditions Plate for fillies and mares over 1600m, trainer Stuart Pettigrew and in form Karl Zechner pulled off a successful Highveld raid with the four-year-old Lateral filly Future Fantastic, who was well weighted.

The ride of the day must have been Sean Cormack’s win on his guv’nor Dennis Drier’s Fort Wood filly Queen Delta in the second, a poly maiden over 2000m. Cormack didn’t take kindly to Muzi Yeni easing outward on the market rival Lady Linda at the 1200m mark and after initially attempting to hold his position he accepted his fate for the time being and dropped his mount in behind the trespasser. He then got the last laugh as a determined finishing effort saw him getting up to beat Lady Linda on the line.

The opening turf race, a Maiden over 1400m, saw a start to finish victory for the Charles Laird-trained first-timer What A Poet under Anton Marcus, who rode a double on the day. The Australian-bred Dylan Thomas colt was well drawn and didn’t beat a strong field but will appreciate further, so this was an encouraging introduction.

The Doug Campbell-trained three-year-old Visionaire filly Lala also did well to win the last, a turf MR 76 handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, off a merit rating of 86 under Ian Sturgeon.

Friday night’s meeting had eight races on the poly and the most significant happenings on the racecourse were a double for in form trainer Alistair Gordon, both of them ridden by the increasingly confident Mandla Ntuli. Muzi Yeni and Sean Veale both rode doubles too.

Gordon’s second winner, the Noordhoek Flyer filly Gavea Girl, provided a first winner for Protea’s cricketing hero David Miller who part-owns her with his well-known auctioneer father Andrew and others.

By David Thiselton

Brett Crawford will give Captain America just one more run – in the Green Point on November 21 – before attempting to win the L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate for the second successive season.

“Saturday’s race was a starting point and he took a little bit of time to get going but I was happy with him,” said the man who used to train Futura and who would like nothing better than to beat that horse in the country’s premier mile race.

His Horse Chestnut Stakes winner, running for the first time in seven months, would have won the Hollard Humdinger Pinnacle in another half stride and this was a fine comeback.

The unlucky horse, though, was 33-1 shot Ashton Park who was only a head back third and who would surely have won had not Robert Khathi fatally dropped his whip just inside the 200m mark.

But what might have been was of little concern to Mike Robinson who hugged his wife-cum-assistant Luella in delight after the stable’s long-time flag bearer Blarney Bay was announced the winner, the 20-1 shot’s first success since he beat Ashton Park in June last year.

Robinson said: “When I saw MJ go to the front on Chestnut’s Rocket I thought I was in trouble because Blarney Bay doesn’t quicken when he is not out in front. I have nominated him for a  1 400m handicap next Wednesday and if he pulls up well he might run.”

This was red-letter landmark for Heavelon van der Hoven – his 20^th winner, reducing his claim to 2.5kg – and the 22-year-old was landing his second double after also scoring on the exciting Illuminator in the Prescient Maid In Pink Handicap.

The 3-1 favourite more than made up for his slow start by producing a sparkling turn of foot and Glen Puller said: “There is a lot more development to come and I think he will get better and better. He should get up to a mile, especially with his style of racing.”

Donovan Mansour, in double form on the Joey Ramsden-trained Free Agent and Targaryan for Mike Bass (who also won with Spirit Of Hamilton under Grant van Niekerk), reckons he is in Cape Town to stay.

He said: “When I came here just over two months ago I thought it would be very difficult to get in with the various trainers but I have found that they have a much more homely relationship with the jockeys than they do in Jo’burg, and you can build on that.

“I have also found that in Cape Town there is no punting pressure whereas in Jo’burg it’s all about the punt. Here they are just happy to win and that’s a big help.”

Adam Marcus is on a roll and half his 12 winners this term (strike rate 22%) have come at the last four Cape Town meetings with Gorgeous Gaby arriving with a tremendous run under Aldo Domeyer in the Capital International Handicap.

Marcus said: “This is the best run I’ve had in my short career. I switched many of mine off during the Durbanville season and they have come right with the weather, especially the fillies.”

He did, however, have an unexpected reverse with La Flambee who started 2-1 favourite for the Fig Fillies Maiden and managed only seventh. The course vet could find nothing wrong but Domeyer said his mount continuously changed stride.

Punters got off to a disastrous start, plunging on unplaced newcomer Shamrock Skipper from 7-2 to 9-10 and allowing the Chris Puller-ridden winner Chennai Spice to drift from 5-1 to 14-1.

A bemused Darryl Hodgson said: “At the beginning of the week I felt couldn’t lose. Then I started hearing the rumours and by Saturday I thought I would be lucky to run a place!”

The Snaith team, on a lucrative high at Turffontein, left their local course empty-handed but they wouldn’t have done so had Greg Cheyne not stolen the Miton Optimal Handicap. He quickly built up a commanding lead on the Glen Kotzen-trained Pearl Oyster Bay and then held on by the rapidly-disappearing skin of his teeth from Snaith’s Jets-A-Blazing.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Captain America (Wayne Marks)

The Gr 1 2 R1 million Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile at Turffontein on Saturday saw a similar finish to last year as trainer Alec Laird recaptured the race, this time with the Argentinian-bred five-year-old Giant’s Causeway gelding Bouclette Top, and once again it was at the expense of trainer Gavin van Zyl, whose charge M L Jet fought on for second. Last year the pair of trainers finished first and second with Bezanova and No Worries respectively.

Bouclette Top, who was ridden superbly by national champion jockey Gavin Lerena, has sharpened up notably in his racing since being fitted with blinkers for the first time in March this year. His improvement with the headgear saw him having to carry joint-second topweight of 58kg yesterday. He also had to overcome a tricky draw of eleven. However, that didn’t stop him producing a resolute finish from off the pace to master M L Jet, who fought bravely throughout the straight after turning for home in second place. Bouclette Top won by a comfortable 2,25 lengths. Mitraad flew late from some way back to snatch third from Mac De Lago, who also finished well, and Bezanova had to settle for fifth this year.

Bouclette Top is owned by Wilgerbosdrift Stud.

Bouclette Top (Nkosi Hlophe)

The lucky Charity attached to Bouclette Top was the Thembakazi Primary After Care Centre and the celebrity representing them was Jonathon Boynton-Lee.

Thembakazi received R150,000, Khangezile Primary After Care Centre (attached to M L Jet) received R100,000, San Michele charity (Mitraad) received R80,000 while the Highveld Horse Care Unit (Mac De Lago) received R70,000. All twelve of the remaining charities involved received R50,000 each.

The Justin Snaith-trained Australian-bred colt by Star Witness, Lineker, started 12/10 favourite for the R2,015,000 Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup over 1400m and there were a few anxious moments for the connections when he went into his number nine stall early and then started slowly. However, it worked in his favour because there was a scrum at the front and he was able to find cover and settle. Piere Strydom was patient in the straight and eventually produced him with a perfectly timed challenge to beat the Gary Alexander-trained and Andrew Fortune-ridden 16/1 shot Crystal Glamour with the widely drawn Gavin van Zyl-trained Redcarpet Captain next best. Snaith praised the magnanimous nature of Lineker’s owner Michael Leaf, whose horse Wylie Hall was the victim of a heartbreakingly controversial upheld objection in the Vodacom Durban July of 2013 at the expense of the Snaith-trained Legislate.

Alexander and Fortune made up for that defeat by winning the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup with Champagne Haze, a Kahal colt who is half-brother to a previous winner of this race, the Alexander-trained Pierre Jourdan. Champagne Haze, drawn 6, was backed in to 5/2 despite the presence of the unbeaten Mike Azzie-trained Gr 1-winner Rabada, who was drawn 16 but still shortened from 15/10 to 13/10. The two market rivals ended on opposite extremes of the course but Champagne Haze was still full of running after stealing a march and Fortune was able to wave at Anton Marcus and Rabada on the outside before crossing the line three lengths clear. The 55/1 shot King Of Chaos’s third-place finish completed a lucrative day at the office for the Alexander yard. Champagne Haze was bred by Summerhill Stud and has a big syndicate of owners.

The Mike de Kock-trained Australian-bred O’Reilly colt Muwaary was too strong for the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes field after the favourite Bull Valley had bolted and had to be scratched. Muwaary overtook the pacemaker Unbelievable Chad quite early in the straight and powered clear to win comfortably by 2,25 lengths under Anthony Delpech. Liege was second and Malak Al Moolook just pipped a brave Unbelievable Chad for third. Lunar Approach was next best.

Lineker (Nkosi Hlophe)

Strydom landed his second feature of the afternoon on the Robbie Sage-trained Madame Dubois and did it so in brilliant fashion in the level weights Gr 3 Starling Stakes for three-year-old fillies. Jumping from a tough draw of 14 over the 1400m trip, Strydom had the Count Dubois filly wide but slipstreamed throughout the turn and kept her covered down the straight until exactly the right moment. She ran on strongly to nab the Mike Azzie-trained Mella Maria and the Lucky Houdalakis-trained Joan Ranger on the line. The odds of the first three were 10/1, 20/1 and 20/1 so this was an upset for the Place Accumulator. Madame Dubois, who finished third in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson Championship over 1200m for two-year-old fillies in May, is owned by Colin Bird and was bred by AJ McNabb and E Miliotis.

The Mike de Kock-trained New Zealand-bred filly The Centenary by Mastercraftsman was allowed to go off at generous odds of 14/1 in the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap over 1800m. She was admittedly six points higher in the merit ratings since her last win over this trip on the Inside track, but she was always going to relish the Standside course and distance as one whose new tactics of running on strongly from behind have been most effective. She duly cruised through to win comfortably under regular jockey Randall Simons, beating the favourite Marmalady by 1,5 lengths. Gr 1-winner Bilateral was third. The much vaunted De Kock-trained three-year-old Persian Rug started second favourite but faded tamely after being prominent.

Weiho Marwing did it yet again in a feature staying race on the Highveld when his six-year-old Captain Al gelding Fulcrum, who caught the eye going down, was sent for home early in the straight of the Listed Java Handicap over 2400m by his nephew Wesley Marwing and just held on from the gallant seven-year-old Henry Higgins with Arch Rival next best.

The two R250,000 HSH Princess Of Charlene Of Monaco Maiden Plates, over 1160m and 1600m, saw impressively easy 3,5 length and 6,25 length respective wins for the Sean Tarry-trained three-year-old Silvano filly Tahini, under Raymond Danielson, and the Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Australian-bred New Approach three-year-old colt New Predator, under Weichong Marwing.

By David Thiselton

Captain America is in with a real chance of defying a seven-month absence in the aptly named Hollard Humdinger Pinnacle Stakes at Kenilworth tomorrow.

The Horse Chestnut winner has a theoretical three lengths-plus in hand on merit ratings and Brett Crawford says: “He is obviously not at his best because we want him peaking in January but he has been on grass. He is definitely fit enough to run a good race and it wouldn’t surprise me if he won.”

KRA Guineas winner The Conglomerate has been off since the Durban July and, while Joey Ramsden’s treadmill gives him a big advantage, the trainer cautions: “He is a long way from being fully wound up and seven furlongs might be a bit sharp for him.”

The Mike Bass stable fields six of the 13 but it’s 11 weeks and more since any of them ran. Candice Robinson points to the trip being too short for some of the sextet and feels that Night Trip just might prove best as he is so well drawn.

Readytogorightnow is the best rated of the few that are provenly race fit but he has a coffin box of a draw – “We might have to drop him in but he is versatile and I will leave it to Bernard,” says Justin Snaith.

Blarney Bay is also fit and loves the trip but is not at his best on the fast ground. Mike Robinson disagrees, saying: “He looks like a mudlark but he is not and he will run a good race.”

Auditorium’s solid form makes him the obvious, safety-first choice in the first but don’t ignore newcomers Shamrock Skipper (a R450 000 Captain Al out of a half-sister to Vercingetorix) and in particular the Var colt Percival – “He is very smart and he can run,” says Andre Nel who has had five winners in his first five weeks and struck with a 50-1 first-timer on Wednesday.

Ramsden’s Free Agent is the form pick in race two but the potential shown by Purple Rock on debut makes him a more appealing bet, particularly now that he is stepping up in trip.

La Flambee, 100-1 when second on her first outing, missed a subsequent engagement because of coughing but she stands out in the Fig Fillies Maiden. “She is above average and, although it’s her first run for some time, she is doing well at home,” comments the in-form Adam Marcus.

The Tripster was quoted at 5-10 for the Prescient Maid In Pink Handicap in the TAB sheet forecast and at that price the top weight is worth opposing.

The one that stands out is Illuminator who showed an extraordinary turn of foot to win on debut, making up ten lengths in little more than a furlong. The third and fifth have won since and runner-up Arctic Blast was second on Wednesday.

By Michael Clower

Picture: Captain America (Wayne Marks)

The Gr 2 R1 million Peermont Emperor’s Palace Charity Mile heads a lucrative card at Turffontein tomorrow which has six stakes races in total as well as two expensive sales races.

Rampant Ice will love the Standside course and distance of the Charity Mile as a horse with a good turn of foot coupled with a resolute finish. He is drawn well and being by Go a Deputy will now be coming into his own.

Ultimate Dollar (Nkosi Hlophe)

Ultimate Dollar takes a while to wind up into his big stride so will love the long straight and the draw is not insurmountable as he can run from the front or be held up. Mac De Lago is another with a resolute finishing effort so he can be dropped out from a wide draw. Last year’s winner Bezanova had improved by the end of last season and it would be no surprise to see him win it again from a good draw off just a three point higher merit rating. Toro Rosso is a lightly raced progressive sort who could still be anything. These five make the most appeal and are selected in the order mentioned.

The first two races are both R250,000 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Maiden Plates.
In the first over 1160m, Amazing Var was backed on debut and didn’t do badly considering she lost ground at the start. First-timer Miss Wales by Trippi is a full-sister to the top class Not Sulking. São Pualo is another interesting first-timer Trippi filly.
In the second over 1600m, West Coast Warrior caught the eye on debut running on strongly for a close second over 1450m and has a fair draw. Hearts ‘R Pumping finished well over 1200m on the Inside track on debut and this big, strong horse is likely to enjoy the course and distance.

The third is the Gr 3 Yellowwood Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. Persian Rug was unlucky in a Gr 1 over 1600m as a two-year-old and will relish this course and distance. However, she is a giant of a horse so the current hard going might be against her and others to include are The Centenary, who will love the long straight, Peep Show, who is ever improving, Love To Sail, who should enjoy the step up in trip, and Gr 1-winner Bilateral, who will be staying on.

Storm Warning (Nkosi Hlophe)

The fourth is the Listed World Sports Betting Java Handicap.  The talented but enigmatic Golden High has a fair draw for a change which should allow him to settle before using his good finish. Topweight Storm Warning had class on his side and others to consider in order of preference are J’s Outsider, Fulcrum, Noblestar, Kolkata and Savage Wind.

The fifth is the R2,015,000 Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup over 1400m. Netflix is way out at the weights but is a nice type who will rise above his current merit rating in time. He will relish the long straight, so could provide good each/way value from a nice draw with Gavin Lerena up. The Gr 1 two-year-old filly form of last season is suspect but Chestnuts ‘N Pearls did catch the eye last time over 1200m against older horses when flying late. Lineker is classy and is likely coming into his own now. Redcarpet Captain also has class and should be ideally suited to this trip. Lauderdale is Gr 1 winner over 1600m but the form does not look outstanding and she has a wide draw. Howdyulikeit makes most appeal for f the rest.

The sixth is the R2,5 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup. The unbeaten Gr 1 winner Rabada is full of class and looks hard to oppose. Main Submission is a progressive sort and could be threat. The progressive Champagne Haze is a half-brother to Pierre Jourdan, who won this race, and he looks distance suited. Dance On Air is an impressive specimen who looks ideally distance suited. Duke Nukem and Top Form have to be considered too.

Rabada (Nkosi Hlophe)

The seventh is the Gr 3 HSH Princess Charlene Of Monaco Starling Stakes over 1400m and Madame Dubois looks to have the class to win it under Piere Strydom despite a wide draw. Leila’s Charger was all the rage on course last time out but disappointed, but she could bounce back from a good draw over a trip that should suit. Melliflora is not much to look at but has proven ability and heart. Swift Sarah stole it over shorter last time and can’t be discounted. Shaama impressed in her first two and might have benefitted from a rest after being above herself in a Gr 1 sprint in May. Miracle Rising makes most appeal of the rest.

The ninth is the Gr 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m. Bull Valley looks to be full of class and on pedigree should love the step up in trip. Unbelievable Chad was impressive when stepped up to this trip last time. Muwaary also has plenty of class and should be right there.

The tenth is the Listed Golden Loom Handicap over 1000m. Isphan has speed and class and by previous big race day trends could be drawn on the right side. Zambezi River also has speed and class and is likely to have improved since gelding. Bad Boy Buddy Boy is very speedy and can’t be ignored over this fast 1000m. Topweight Dollar Dazzler loves the course and distance. Doing It For Dan and Viva La Var will have chances if the going does not put the low draws at a disadvantage.

The eleventh is a MR 84 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m Gr 1 winner For The Lads could win it if settling. The hard-knocking China Beach could pick up the pieces.

The twelfth is a MR 92 Handicapover 1600m and Rushmore River makes most appeal over a course and distance he loves.

By David Thiselton