There is a race meeting for the purist to look forward to at Turffontein Standside tomorrow as the Pick 6 is made up of six features, three Listed races and two Non-Black Types.
The Listed Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m could rest between three one-time winning males and three well-bred first-timers, who will receive 3kg from the latter. Bold Eagle was backed on debut and after showing good pace was doing his best work late to win cosily. The Gavin Van Zyl yard said he had improved and expected him to be competitive. Anthony Delpech is an eye-catching booking and the Bold Silvano colt is drawn on the right side by trends. William The Silent dwelt on debut over 1000m in a Juvenile event but ended up winning fluently by 2,8 lengths, despite having been ignored in the betting market.
Witchcraft
He is a well-bred sort being by Var out of the Cape Fillies Guineas second-placed Captain Al filly Tick Tock. Rule The Night is an imposing gelding by Var who was very green on debut, but still won comfortably by three lengths over this course and distance. The form has not worked out exceptionally well, but considering he ran all over the course he has plenty of scope for improvement. However, the number one draw might be against him. Heavenly Risk is a R300,000 Var colt and is a half-brother to the like of Grade 1 SA Classic winner Divine Jury.
Vardo is a R300,000 Var colt, who is out of a Listed-winning Captain Al filly, who is a full-sister to the brilliant Snowdance. Dewali is a R325,000 Var colt out of the Grade 2 KRA Fillies Guineas winner Festival Of Fire, who was also runner up in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint. Heavenly Risk has a nice high draw, while Dewali has an unfavourable low draw and Vardo is drawn six. The two fillies in the race, Mazari and Miss Boomerang, both have plenty of speed, but have a tough task at the weights as the only two two-time winners in the field.
In the Listed Ruffian Stakes Anton Marcus rides the Spies-trained Sail From Seattle filly Miss Khalifa, who won by an easy three lengths on debut. The first-timer Princess Blitz makes appeal from a nice draw of seven in a nine horse field as she is by the promising sire What A Winter out of the Listed-winning Var sprinter La Volta. Frankly is by the legendary Frankel and would have been the suggestion if not drawn so low.
The Listed Bauhinia Handicap could be won by Covered In Snow, who won the Listed Swallow Stakes over 1160m from a similar draw to record a hattrick. Winter Watch has a good turn of foot and should run on strongly from a plum standside draw. Frederico’s Dream has a lot of pace and stays on well, so this quick 1000m will suit her, and she faces Covered In Snow on just half-a-kilogram worse terms, after being beaten just a head by her over 1160m in the Swallow Stakes.
The Non-Black Type Sun Chariot Stakes over 2400m could go to Seeking Gold, who is 1,5kg better off with Bondiblu for a head beating over course and distance and as a four-year-old will still be improving. Witchcraft, who is well drawn over an ideal trip, is coming off a good performance in the Aquanaut over course and distance. Bondiblu is drawn in pole over an ideal trip and there is not much between her and Witchcraft or Patchit Up Baby. The latter beat Witchcraft by 2,6 lengths the last time they met over course and distance but is now 2kg worse off so there is not much in it. Emerald Bay has a chance if repeating her last run over course and distance.
The Egoli Mile vote goes to the eyecatching The Dazzler in his first run for Mike de Kock. The Puma also has class too and Helios makes his first start after impressing on debut.
In the Gold Rush Sprint Best Kept Secret is well bred and from a good draw can follow on from a fine effort in the CTS 1200. Down To Zero is coming into his own, and the fast-finishing Vicomte can bounce back from a better draw after stumbling last time.
By David Thiselton
