Turffontein stages a nine race meeting today and punters will be looking to either build on their SANSUI Summer Cup gains or recoup their losses.

The first is a workrider’s maiden over 1800m and Zillionaire beat El Bombero in a 1600m maiden the last time they met when setting the pace and, being out of SA Fillies Classic winner Zaitoon, she should enjoy the step up in trip. El Bombero also looks set to enjoy the trip, having finished well over 1600m in his last two starts, and his wide draw is alleviated by the fact that he has the top workrider Lyle Hewitson up. Thunder Applause had plenty of excuses first time out but should improve and could earn a place.

The second race, a fillies and mares maiden over 1800m, should see Silvano filly Mythical Magic getting off the mark having finished third over 1600m last time out against the boys, just 6,3 lengths behind the classy New Predator who went on to only just be touched off in the Investec Dingaans. Kellie Firth lost a length on debut over 1400m and was green so as one with plenty of scope for improvement could be a threat for the high-flying SANSUI Summer Cup-winning combination Geoff Woodruff and Gavin Lerena. Indzaba has been knocking on the door up to 1600m but is not a certainty to appreciate the step up in trip.

In the third race over 1800m, a fillies and mares MR 80 Handicap, the three-year-old fillies feature form this season looks suspect to date so horses like Star Of Love and Nikki, who have form related to the Gr 3 Fillies Mile, might be a tad flattered. Krystle Carrington loves this course and distance and Weichong Marwing stays aboard. Fortitude has a Gr 3 place over this trip to her name and showed her well being over the too sharp 1200m last time out. She would have benefitted from the run and is off a competitive merit rating. Withbatedbreath is course and distance suited and has a plum draw of three. She’s A Looker and Run For Revelry must also be considered.

The fourth is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1450m. Miss Wales ran a good race on debut and has a fair draw over a step up in trip she should appreciate so she should go close for the Summer Cup-winning combination. Silvery Dream made late progress on debut over course and distance and with natural improvement should be right there from another good draw. Green Goddess should improve on her debut over course and distance, when green before finishing fast. She has a wide daw to overcome but looks capable of dropping out and coming from off the pace.

In the fifth race, a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m, Caymen Sunset is only three points higher for his last win and is drawn well again, so this progressive four-year-old can follow up from a good draw with Lerena keeping the ride. King And Empire is drawn in pole and the Alexander/Fortune combination could go close to bagging yet another winner as he is off a competitive merit rating and appears to have come into his own. Antonius Charm appeared to love the course and distance last time so from a similar draw could be right there again despite a five point merit rating raise.

In the sixth, a MR 74 Handicap over 1200m, Chepardo won in good style on debut and could follow up off a nice merit rating over a similar distance, especially considering he is drawn well. Lady Al lost a length last time and still ran a fair race behind a good sort over 1000m. She can be dropped out from her tricky draw as she always runs on well. Son Of Approval returns to his probable best trip so could be a big runner from a good draw.

In the seventh, a fillies and mares MR 76 handicap over 1000m, A Million Dreams was not disgraced in her last two runs behind useful sorts and Strydom is aboard. Patty Cake has some good form and is better drawn than last time so should be a runner.  Cute Lady loves this course and distance and will likely use her good early pace to overcome her high draw. Cataluga went close over this trip down the straight last time despite a saddle slip but has a tough draw. Captain’s Diva is consistently thereabouts and is well drawn but has been given a five point raise for her last win.

The eighth is a fillies and mares MR 76 handicap over 1450m and Aldiara has fared well against some good sorts recently so could clinch this under Fortune, despite a tough draw. Hit The Big Time is interesting returned to the trip of her good race three runs ago as she has been seen to pull over further and Strydom is now aboard. Kings V goes for a distance hattrick but also has a tough draw. Miss Magical is in fine form and proved her liking for course and distance last time, although she is another with a wide draw. Soul Of Spain is drawn well and on the evidence of her easy maiden win should love this trip. La Digue should be thereabouts from a good draw as she has continued in fair form since her maiden win.

In the ninth, a Maiden over 1450m, Severino is a pacey sort who has been knocking on the door over sprints and, as one who has a chance of staying this trip on pedigree, he is possibly the one to side with. Resolute Captain caught the eye on debut when nearly making all and has a chance with Lerena keeping the ride, despite a tough draw. The race should set up well for closers like West Coast Warrior, Neptune’s Jewel and King Gerard.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Sharp Princess (Nkosi Hlophe)