The Turffontein Standside meeting sees the first two-year-old races of the season, both over 800m, and the Tobie Spies yard have a fine record in these events.
They cannot be as confident as they were with Van Halen last year when he turned his 800m debut into a procession but they said of their charges, “You never know with babies, they can do funny things and can be green, but in the first race Axios is a very nice sort. We would expect him to be in the money at least. His stable companion Baby Lets Mambo is not too bad either and we hope to find the quartet with both of them. In the second race Me Time’s dam is a half-sister to Van Halen. She is precocious and we are confident she will run well and should be in the money. But we will be happy for her to be in the money and then build on that.”
Muzi Yeni rides both Axios and Me Time and they are both tipped to win.
Mighty High (Candiese Marnewick)
The Spies yard also run Van Halen down in Cape Town in the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. They are still at a loss to explain his poor run in the Cape Merchants last time as he has eaten up everything since then. He has been working well and on his homework they believe he will see out the trip.
In the third race at Turffontein Greener Pastures can be made a PA banker from pole position having stayed on for second over this trip last time. However as far as winning the race is concerned Over The Limit will be a big danger. The latter comes out slightly better on some formlines and although returning from an 82 day layoff she is by Twice Over whose progeny improve with age so she might well have benefitted from the break. She also has a good draw and Nooresh Juglall rides for the flying Tarry yard.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Potjie ran a fair third behind the exciting prospect Mythical Bolt last time out. He was beaten 4,4 lengths and there was a yawning gap back to the rest so it could be fair form. Naizak will appreciate the step down in trip and is a danger along with Tequila Man who finished strongly last time with first time blinkers. Tintagel brings some fair Cape Town form and he could be suited to the fast Turffontein straight track considering he showed good pace to lead and only faded late over the tough Kenilworth 1200m three runs ago. Knight Owl could improve from his debut.
In the fifth race over 1160m Mighty High has the class to remain unbeaten despite carrying a big weight. Ouro and Dagmar are tipped to be the dangers. San Fermin is the best weighted on official merit ratings but has continued to disappoint. I Like It finished a short-head second in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile but this will llikely be too sharp.
In the next race over 1160m Colombina is not reliable but has ability and could upset. Announcing Rain has dropped to a competitive merit rating. Frankly has some class but the low draw might be a disadvantage. Going wide is the suggestion for the Pick 6.
In the seventh Rebel’s Champ has matured into a top class sprinter and should go close. Kissable is the joint best weighted and her early pace always makes her dangerous. Clever Guy has run two big races in succession and will be a threat too.
The 8th over 1000m is competitive and although Shifting Shadows is the tip to win after running well in two features and now back in a handicap Three Stars, River Rafting, Vivir, Winter Watch and Made In Hollywood also need to be included.
In the last leg of the Pick 6 Scoop is on the up and can claim a hattrick. Ilha Da Varlette should also be included after two fine runs and she is actually officially better weighted than Scoop. Heavenly Risk is the best weighted horse and beat Scoop by 2,25 lengths last March but he has not raced since April.
By David Thiselton
