There is some good racing to look forward to on the Turffontein Inside track tomorrow as some classy sorts will be turned out in two Graduation Plate races and there is also an MR 88 handicap on the card.
The first is a Workrider’s Maiden over 1450m. Seattle Prince over-raced early last time over 1600m before settling behind a fast pace and running on well, so will likely relish this step down in trip from pole position. Profit Ratio is drawn well after going close over this trip at the Vaal. Just A Gigolo unfortunately didn’t settle last time over this course and distance from a wide draw. Having run on in eye-catching fashion from a wide draw on the Standside 1400m before that, and from this better draw will be a big runner if settling. Lokshina ran a good race over this trip in penultimate and could earn. American Gladiator has shown some promise befoe and now runs for a new yard from a good draw with a classy jockey aboard.
Piere Strydom (Nkosi Hlophe)
The second race is a fillies and mares maiden over 1450m. Span Die Seile showed a fine turn of foot over 1600m last time and only lost the race in the boardroom. She looks likely to enjoy this trip and can come from off them from a wide draw. Sapphire Girl showed promise on debut after being backed and was not given a punishing ride and should show considerable improvement with Strydom up from a good draw. Eversilver had the pace to overcome a wide draw three runs ago over course and distance and stayed on resolutely so is interesting back to this trip from a good draw. Catwalk Tease stayed on for second over1400m in her penultimate and is ridden by Fortune, who has interestingly been replaced by Strydom on Sapphire Girl. Tangerine Lady appears to love this course and distance and has run on strongly from a similar wide draw before. She’s A Flirt could earn.
The third is a Maiden over 1800m and Nawab is drawn well after doing his best work late over 1700m at the Vaal last time to finish second and now has a plum draw with Lerena up. Smartifact at his best will be a big runner here if taking his place although he is known to have his problems and ran below par last Thursday. Spring Lodge was only just behind Smartifact last Thursday over 1700m when wearing first-time blinkers and staying on well and is now drawn in pole with Marwing up. Champions Cup’s full-sister has run a fair race over this trip before. Secunde’s Victor made late headway to earn the last time he tried this course and distance. Zillionaire has the ability to earn but has pulled or made breathing noises when raced beyond a mile. Frappachino can improve being by Ideal World but has made breathing noises in his last two starts.
The fourth is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1000m.Musical Romance returns from a three month bleeding suspension but has shown ability and this is a weak field. Gimmeabreak has ability but often ruins her chances with slow starts. However, her best run was over this course and distance when running on from a wide draw and she is now well drawn. Honeybush Tea is usually thereabouts and should earn here.
The fifth is a strong Graduation Plate over 1600m. Buckland has class and should love the step up in trip. Rainy Day Blues is a progressive sort whose formline is strong. Romany Prince was only beaten by top class Abashiri on Saturday over 1800m. Trading Profit did well against older horses over course and distance in a handicap off a merit rating of 94 and has a chance back in a plate race. The distance-suited Neuf De Pape is under sufferance on official merit ratings but is well regarded and the form of his last run in a handicap over 1400m has duly been franked. Danza is a progressive sort who should love the trip and is drawn well. Coral Fever ran a fine race last time over 1450m despite bolting before the start and Strydom is up.
The sixth is a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1450m. Penny Serenade looks promising, has good formlines and is drawn in pole over a step up in trip she should relish. London goes well for this jockey and should be thereabouts. Silver Class has been doing well since dropped to sprints from a mile and further, so is interesting over this trip. Joan Ranger disappointed last time over a mile having finished strongly for a close third in a Gr 3 over this trip before that. Frosty Friday is improving and can’t be ignored despite her two wins being over further. Jungle Mist over raced last time and could earn if settling. Tahini is better than her last start.
The seventh is a MR 88 Handicap over1450m. The promising Fort Meyers has his second run after a long break over a suitable trip and is well drawn. Cumberland is course and distance suited and proved last time he is up to this merit rating. Var Bay is 2,5kg better off with Cumberland for a 1,75 length beating over course and distance. His last run can be ignored as he reared in the pens. Tabreek is 1,5kg under sufferance but is drawn in pole and faces Cumberland on the same terms for a 0,5 length beating. Mr. Mulliner has the form to earn. Cockade can’t be ignored.
The eight is a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m and Tobesuretobesute is widely drawn but usually travels well and stays on well and is distance suited. Indzaba’s maiden form has worked out well and Fortune is up from a good draw over a suitable course and distance. Ruby Ruby stayed on well over 1600m last time and is drawn well over the trip of her maiden win.
By David Thiselton
