David Thiselton

A Progress Plate and two fillies and mares high level handicaps are the highlights of the Turffontein Standside’s eight race meeting today.

In the Progress Plate over 2000m Read All About is the joint best in at the weights and and his 0,25 length second to The Ultimate King looks good now as the latter finished third in the Summer Cup. He and Don’t Cry For Me are officially 5kg better off with any of the other runners. Read All About it has a fair draw of three out of six. Don’t Cry For Me  ran on Saturday over this same course and distance and was beaten 13,10 lengths, although the time of the race was a second quicker than the Betway Summer Cup, so he was not disgraced. He now has pole position as opposed to eight on Saturday. He has tended to take a bit of a hold and it was thus the great Piere Strydom who got the best out of him with his sublime hands. Craig Zackey, who is also known for his soft hands, is the perfect choice of rider for him. He should be right there. The one who makes most appeal for third place is Royal Edition.

In the seventh race, a MR 97 handicap for fillies and mares over 1160m, Stars and Bra’s has a chance on form from a nice high draw, but it is wide open. Tuscan Romance has been knocking hard too and also has a light weight to carry, but a low draw could be a slight concern. Frozen Fantasy has to give the former pair a lot of weight but has the class to be involved especially with Zackey aboard. Poblano has been running below her best but her best races have been with Muzi Yeni up and he gets the ride from a nice middle draw. Pointer could also bounce back to form from a nice high draw.

In the fifth. a MR 93 handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m, Accept Cookies goes for a third win in her last four starts and this progressive sort can do it off a three point higher mark. She enjoyed the step up to 1700m last time and being out of a See You Think mare will likely enjoy the further step up to 1800m. Warning Sound disappointed last time but the yard have had some virus issues and she is capable of a lot better and on pedigree should relish the step up in trip. Key Worker is well bred being a full sister to Surcharge and can follow on from her last win over 2000m as the yard is in  form. Arctic Silver is in fine form and can earn again over the distance of her last two wins. Kissing Machine has the form to be a contender from a fair draw.

In the third over 1400m, the first leg of the Pick 6, Jaffa went close to the promising Wayne on debut and can go one better, although he does have a wide draw to overcome. Gavius Maximus improved stepped up to 1600m from sprints and should enjoy this trip too from pole position. Space Mission is improving and can go close with Zackey up.

In the next race over 1800m  Anahita is a full sister to Rascallion and should relish the step up in trip but she does have a tricky draw. Real Stunner has the form to be a contender but does have a wide draw, although Gavin Lerena could help him overcome it. Onceinabluemoon could be in the shake up here as she should relish the step up in trip on form. Stokesy went close when stepped up to 1700m second time out and has a chance if able to overcome a wide draw. Naretoi has a fine chance from a fair draw if able to repeat his last run.

In the sixth race over 1800m Duchess Of Paloma is a progressive sort who will relish this trip and she starts off handicapping off a nice mark of 71, although her draw of six out of eleven is tricky.  Surprise Party went close in her first try at a middle distance and has a plum draw. Scarlett Heart was not disgraced first time out the maidens and could earn. Lady Blunt is going for a hattrick but does have a four point raise to overcome. Red Sparrow is capable of popping up from a good draw.

In the eighth race over 1160m Victory In Orleans comes from a strong form race and should be in the shake up. Vamanos won her maiden well and starts on a reasonable mark. She’s All Mine has the form to be right there.

In the second race over 1400m, the first leg of the Bipot, Winds Of Change is knocking hard and gets a 4kg claimer up but does have a tricky draw. Kortvandraad was never far back in Cape Town and can improve on her Highveld debut. Delaware River is knocking on the door but does have a tricky draw. Pleiades Star stayed on for second over 1200m last time and should enjoy this trip. Utsaah is improving but does have a wide draw to overcome.