Turffontein has an eight race card on the Inside track today and most the races are competitive so the dividends should be handsome for those who have done their homework.
Andrew Fortune (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the first race, a fillies and mares maiden over 1450m, Hatfield Square is by the good sire Mambo In Seattle so probably has plenty of scope for improvement and she can build on her decent first two runs, including last time over 1700m when the jockey dropped the crop. Lindelize’s best run was when handy over this course and distance so a draw of two will benefit her and she can do better than last time, in September, as the Tarry yard were not yet firing.
Andrew Fortune has stayed aboard Samarra, who stayed on well over 1600m on this course from a tough draw last time and she now has a good draw. Global Ethos can’t be ignored having run well over course and distance last time and Piere Strydom now rides. Tangerine Lady showed improvement last time when stepped up to this course and distance but does have a wide draw to overcome. Jewel Of Gibraltar is an Australian-bred by Rock Of Gibraltar and the Woodruff yard have been in form. First-timer Giveusakiss is a full-sister to King Of Pain, while Flying Silver is by Silvano out of a Jet Master mare.
In the second race, a MR 97 Handicap over 1600m, Master ‘N Commander represents the in-form Woodruff yard from a plum draw over a suitable trip and champion jockey Gavin Lerena stays aboard. Fah Fee is drawn well over a suitable trip and is off a competitive merit rating. Shadow Of His Smile has proved classy over this trip before and with the Woodruff yard in form he could be a runner with Andrew Fortune up, although he is still five points higher than his last handicap win, a five length victory over this course and distance in a MR 92 in January.
The Hangman (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the third race, a Maiden over 1600m, Champions Cup is drawn well in his third career run and with natural improvement will be the one to beat. El Bombero showed improvement last time in a workrider’s event when stepped up to this trip and is now well drawn in his third run after a rest and gelding. Seattle Prince should enjoy the step up in trip here and is a runner from a good draw as he should be improving. Gaggle can earn if repeating his decent debut over course and distance and he wasn’t disgraced in a strong field last time either. Arabian Bay is usually thereabouts and could place although this is his 31st career start.
The fourth, a Maiden over 1000m for fillies and mares, is tough to assess because the obvious selection Honeybush Tea has quite a tricky draw to overcome. First-timer Qarman is by Var out of a once-winning Silvano mare and Fortune is up from a plum draw. Matron Prilli made a fair debut on the sand, before disappointing second time out, and has a chance from a fair draw if bouncing back. Perfect Dream has run two fair races to date and now has Strydom up from pole position. Pipkin has a wide draw but ran on late on debut after losing a length at the start so can’t be ignored. Jay River has run some fair races and returns from a rest. Black Opium is by Toreador, who is having a fine season, out of twice winner from 1000-1400m by Silvano. Gimmeabreak is by Overlord out of a Sapieha mare.
In the fifth, a Maiden Plate over 1200m, Tripp Force has been rested since May having always made breathing noises but he was often backed and if that issue has been sorted out he could be a big runner from a good draw. Occulus has been knocking on the door and should be improving. Laughistheanswer has a wide draw but more conservative tactics than last time when run out of it could see him involved.
Klondike River (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the sixth, a MR 67 Handicap over 1200m, One Yesterday is off an attractive merit rating and has a good draw for a change so could be a big runner with Strydom up. Al Dee Kay is potentially well weighted and will be a threat despite a tricky draw. Cash In Camilla is an interesting runner stepped back to the 1200m of her 14 length victory over this trip on the Vaal sand in her penultimate start especially as she is has a fair draw with Lerena up.
In the seventh, a MR 69 handicap over 2000m, the Dynasty colt Trees Of Green impressed in his second career start and looks to be going places so should run up a sequence from his starting handicap mark of 70. Commodore Al goes well for Andrew Fortune so should bounce back from his last disappointing run. Rushing Lark has come down to a competitive merit rating and Gavin Lerena is up. Colonel Rockjaw wasn’t disgraced over this trip at The Vaal last time out and is off a competitive merit rating. Peregrine has been a frustrating sort but has the ability to earn over this trip off this merit rating. King’s Drive and Double Bind make most appeal of the rest.
In the last over 1600m Street Flyer with Gavin Lerena up improved last time without blinkers when staying on over 1400m so will be a big runner over a suitable trip from a fair draw with the blinkers off again. Oreo Shake could have done better last time if switched outward at the top of the straight instead of inward through traffic and Piere Strydom now has the ride from a plum draw. Pacific G has been knocking on the door and is off a competitive merit rating and he should be running on from a wide draw. Steel Wing has been competitive off this merit rating and is distance suited but does have a tricky draw to overcome. Klondike River has been thereabouts off his current mark and Fortune keeps the ride after a good run on the Greyville poly.
By David Thiselton
