David Thiselton
A Pinnacle Stakes event over 2400m and a MR 96 Handicap over 1160m are the two highlights of the Turffontein Standside meeting today.
In the Pinnacle event Breeze Over is the best weighted runner and will be advantaged by his wide draw of seven out of eight. His problem is he is a front runner but misses the break virtually every race. He then has to come around them so a wide draw will be to his advantage. However, a problem he has in this race is Poet’s Warrior is a frontrunner and there will be competition for the lead. Poet’s Warrior was back to his best when winning three runs ago, although that was in a small field and last time out he was tailed off when fatigued. Bellerophon is officially 4,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner Breeze Over. However, in his last three staying races he has won two of them and finished a far from disgraced 8,25 length 8th in the Gr 2 SA Derby. He looks to be a progressive stayer and a bonus is that Mickaelle Michel, who is in high-flying form, gets a 1,5kg gender claim. On the downside he has a tricky draw of eight. Deception Pass is an interesting runner despite being 11kg under sufferance as he is by stamina influence Ideal World out of a Caesour mare and tries a staying trip for the first time. Taxhaven is well drawn and has the ability to pop up. With so many question marks in this race Bellrophone is taken to follow up on his last win.
In the MR 96 Handicap over 1160m Sosoru looks to be a promising sprinter who can rise above his 93 merit rating and he has the highest draw of all, which tends to be the favourable side on the Standside track. Captain Selvie is in fine form and has won his last three races with something in hand, so he can go close again. Xenophon was most disappointing last time at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, but that has turned out to be a strong race and he could bounce back here from a nice high draw. Those are the three that make most appeal.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 the winner could be Master’s Lady who has been knocking on the door for a long time and gets a good opportunity in this uninspiring event. Irish Wilma has finished 7,25 lengths behind Heath House in a three horse field and was 8,65 lengths behind Secretary Bird on debut, so could earn in this line up. Apparition is by Gimmethegreenlight and is a half-sister to a Vercingetorix filly who won on debut. Penny’s Choice could earn here under Mickaelle Michel. Elegant Edge has 4,25 lengths to make up on Master’s Lady but could earn here.
In the next race over 1000m Isaac Stephan was just 2,75 lengths behind Sosoru in his third start and Craig Zackey now takes the ride so he will be a big runner. Kwaito was beaten 10,60 lengths on debut but the winner, Haute Couture, went on to win the Gr 1 Gold Medallion, so he must have a chance in this line up. Berry Lancer can also earn here if able to repeat his last start.
In the fifth race over 1400m Be All You Can Be made a fine debut and looks set to despatch this field from a plum draw. Brave Waam put in a brave front-running effort last time and should have come on from the run, so if able to overcome his wide draw without using up too much energy he could go close in this line up. Jimmy Vega has a form chance of earning here.
In the eighth race over 1400m Korcula has the form to go close. Gimmesumluv is usually thereabouts and in this line up must have a chance under Craig Zackey, although she does have to overcome a tricky draw. Beautiful One could also be a contender here from a fair draw.
In the first race Miss Dutton looks to have moderate form at first sight but on collateral formlines she comes out on top of those who have run. Elusive Dragon has beaten Hoc Est Vita before and those two should earn. Rafeef’s Queen was well beaten on debut but it was against subsequent Gr 1 winner Haute Couture so she could earn. Caladrius only has 1,5 lengths to make up on Miss Dutton on their only meeting. Del’s World is by One World and is a half-sister to the 104-rated Don’t Cry For Me.
In the second over 1000m Snowblade can do well over the trip of his good debut having disappointed over 1600m on Thursday, although he might not run with this race coming just three days later. Mfulathela could go close in this line up. Bisou Bisou makes appeal being by Querari and a half-brother to Gr 1 winner Mighty High and to the Gr 2 winner Gobsmacked.
