David Thiselton
A Pinnacle Stakes race over 1600m is the headliner at Turffontein Standside today and the classy Pressonregardless looks the one to side with.
The David Nieuwenhuizen-trained five-year-old Lancaster Bomber gelding is a beautifully long-striding sort who is perfectly suited to the Standside course and he should be able to mow them down after finding a good position from a plum draw of two under leading jockey Craig Zackey. Pressonregardless is the best weighted male in the race and is only 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted runner, the filly Kisshoten. Chronicle King has proven class and this 114-rated Gr 2 winner comes off a good win over 1700m. He has a tricky draw of six in the seven horse field but should make a bold bid. Sunset Riot has won his last two starts over 1400m with ease and as his Captain Al dam Fragrant Miss won over this trip, so he should see it out. He has a tricky draw of five but the 1,5kg gender claim of Mickaelle Michel will help. He is officially 3kg under sufferance with Kisshoten. Musical Score is distance suited and has the class to be competitive under Keagan de Melo from a middle draw of four. Kisshoten has not been disgraced in her last two starts in a Gr 3 and a Gr 1 over course and distance against the girls, finishing a 1,40 length third and a 7,30 length fourth to the dominant winner Double Grand Slam, so from pole position and being best in at the weights, she can’t be ignored. Willy Meet Again is second best in at the weights and is a decent sort who could dictate, so she could be dangerous. The other runner Skittle Skies has a hard task at the weights.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m Sendai ran a cracker last time over this trip, finishing a 1,90 length third, and has a chance in this uninspiring maiden from a middle draw of six out of 11 under Muzi Yeni. Nebraska has run a couple of fair races over this trip category and has a chance from draw five. Winding Power has a tricky draw of eight but has the ability to earn. Cronus could earn a cheque in this line up. Brave Waam! should enjoy the step up in trip and could improve.
The second leg over 1400m is also an uninspiring maiden and Purple Rain makes plenty of appeal. She finished second in a three horse field last time, but she should relish this step up in trip and is drawn in pole with Craig Zackey up for the Sean Tarry yard. Savara’s Princess has a tricky draw but if repeating her last start she has a chance. Master’s Rose has been thereabouts in her last couple of starts and has a fair draw. Miss River Dancer has run two fair races and on pedigree should enjoy the step up in trip. Greenandgold has run two fair races and should be in the shake up.
In the seventh race over 2000m Scarlet O’Hara has run three good races and the form of her last run, a 7,50 length fourth to Curious Girl in the Oaks Trial, has been franked as the latter went on to win the Gr 2 SA Derby. Future Date is an honest sort who is coming into her own as a four-year-old, being by Futura, and she should be in the shake up. Free In Seattle has the ability to be right there and it should pan out well for her from draw two under Richard Fourie. Kissing Machine will enjoy stepping back to middle distances and could be a runner from pole position. Poplar Park has a 100% record in two starts over course and distance so should do well if able to overcome a wide draw under in form apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson.
In the eighth over 2000m Sand Script won well second time out when stepped up to 1700m and Fourie is now up. Future Gamble also enjoyed the step up in trip last time and has a chance of following up. Silver Flare should be in the shake up if able to overcome a wide draw. Rosy Lemon can never be ignored over this trip. Special Star should finish on top of Rosy Lemon on the form of their last meeting.
In the ninth over 1800m Real Stunner has the form and the ability to go close if able to overcome a wide draw and Richard Fourie aboard will help her cause. Orange County is interesting over a slight step up in trip being by Flower Alley, with the detractor being she is out of a Var mare. Zip Code has the ability to earn here from a fair draw as she is capable of running on well if getting cover. Full Go is capable of being right there if able to overcome a wide draw and she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Sky Pillar Rock disappointed last time but can do better.
In the third race over 1400m Impressive went close when stepped up to this trip second time out and can beat home Doesyourmotherknow, who has a very similar form line over the same distance category. These two fillies are drawn three and two respectively and should fight it out.
In the first race over 1160m Gathering Winter is the one to beat in this uninspiring field, although she does have draw one, which can be disadvantageous down the straight, so Wispinthewillow must also be considered.
In the second race over 1400m Sherriff Bill Brown ran a fair race last time and should enjoy the step up in trip, but won’t have it easy from a wide draw. Lance Attack has shown some ability and must be considered. Sutter’s Mill is a first-timer by Fire Away out of a Western Winter mare who won second time out and this gelding would not need to be a star to finish prominently here.
