David Thiselton

The Listed Secretariat Stakes for three-year-olds over 1450m is the headliner at Turffontein Inside’s nine race meeting today.

The race is run under handicap conditions and the suggestion to win it is the Candice Dawson-trained Flying The Flag gelding Salute The Flag. This horse is having his first run out of the maidens, so might not be prominent in the betting. However, he won in fine style last time out over 1400m on Turffontein Standside jumping from the same draw of two he has here. He quickened quite effortlessly from a handy position and then stayed on resolutely before drawing clear in the final stages. His 83 merit rating looks reasonable and S’Manga Khumalo stays aboard, although he does have to ride half-a-kilogram overweight. Sabre Strike is an interesting runner as one with obvious talent. He won easily first time out and second time out finished 2,75 lengths behind the classy Barbaresco in a Graduation Plate over this trip when receiving just 3kg. His official merit rating is 90, but he can rise above that, although he does have a tough draw. The topweight Presley is classy and is well enough regarded to have run in the Gr 1 SA Derby. He also has a wide draw, but should be running on strongly over the distance category he won his maiden over, beating the promising Marauding Horde. Master Christmas has a touch of class and is on the up. He is distance suited and only has to carry 55,5kg off a merit rating of 89. However, he is another fancied runner with a tricky draw, eight out of 12. Max The Magician had some useful early form, including being just 1,75 lengths behind Lucky Lad over 1160m on one occasion. He was beaten 12,50 lengths by Presley over 1600m the last time he ran, but now has his first run as a gelding and off a merit rating reduced to 86. Longsword is also an interesting runner. Sean Tarry is in good form and this horse has always struck as one with ability. He turned it on impressively over 1200m in his penultimate start and should stay this trip. However, Richard Fourie rides 1kg overweight from a draw of six off an 83 merit rating.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a Pinnacle Stakes event over 1600m and this looks like a race in which the talented Savannah Storm can pop up. He was not disgraced last time in the Hawaii Stakes, finishing six lengths behind Sandringham Summit. He now has to carry just 52kg from and is only 2,5kg under sufferance with the best weighted Lady Of Power and he is only half-a-kilogram out with the top-weighted Bingwa. The latter is classy on his day but needs things to go his way and he has a tricky draw of six out of eight. Scallywag won well last time from the front, despite returning from a layoff, but will have it tougher here. Lady Of Power won the Gr 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas but is not reliable and also needs things to go her way, although draw three will give her a chance to get the easy lead she likes. Eye Of The Prophet was the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner, but needs to bounce back from some below par form.

In the fifth race over 1800m Darling Harbour will have a fine chance if repeating her penultimate start when finishing just 1,40 lengths behind Frances Ethel in the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m when receiving just 3kg. Say It With Roses had some eye-catching maiden form before an easy win over this trip and looks to have been given an attractive opening handicap mark of 80. Furthermore, she is trained by Stuart Pettigrew who has a fine record with Flower Alley fillies. Special Charm has been knocking on the door and is distance suited but does have a tough draw. A Place In The Sun has come into her own but does have a tough draw. Rosy Lemon is a capable sort and Muzi Yeni has won twice on her.

In the sixth over 1800m Dimako’s Jet looks capable of progression. Damova ran well after a layoff and should have come on from that run. Red Knot ran well first time out the maidens and has a plum draw.

In the eighth over 1450m Just Be Lekker has the class to overcome a wide draw over a suitable trip. However, Vix Princess is in fine hard-knocking form and is well drawn and Alabama Anna is ultra consistent and distance suited so also has to be included.

In the last race  Across The Pond has caught the eye more than once and should enjoy the step up in trip from a plum draw. She is a two-year-old who has been given an 84 merit rating for this race, but that makes her just half-a-kilogram under sufferance. Cueta beat an uninspiring field over 1600m by 6,25 lengths to exit the maidens and runs off an 81, so must be included although a wide draw makes it tough.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1600m Panning Gold and Karoo Gold have the form to fight it out.

In the first leg of the PA over 1600m Mocha Frappe looks promising and would have learnt from his win last time when wearing first time blinkers over 1400m.  

The meeting opens with an interesting maiden over 1600m and the in form Alec Laird yard are fancied to win it with the progressive looking sort The Crown, although Rainbow River and Oxalis Gold also have good credentials.     

RACE 1      

5 THE CROWN 1 RAINBOW RIVER 7 OXALIS GOLD 6 MESSALINA

Preview: 5 THE CROWN has run two good races and looks to have plenty of scope so should go close from a plum draw.  1 RAINBOW RIVER improved when stepped up to 1450m and should enjoy this further step up in trip too. 7 OXALIS GOLD has run two good sprints and will relish the step up in trip on pedigree but does have a tricky draw. 6 MESSALINA has a chance here if producing her best from pole position. (5-1-7-6)

RACE 2     

9 PANNING GOLD 1 KAROO GOLD 3 TROMBETTISTA 2 AMERICAN REBEL

Preview: 9 PANNING GOLD finished second to a good sort last time over this trip and looks the one to beat 1 KAROO GOLD has some good form and can bounce back from a below par run last time as the blinkers are back on and he is drawn well. 3 TROMBETTISTA is capable of staying on. 2 AMERICAN REBEL can earn if reproducing his last run. (9-1-3-2)

RACE 3     

9 MOCHA FRAPPE 4 MASTERSHIP 6 GOLDEN PAVILION 11 MISS SCALETTA

Preview: 9 MOCHA FRAPPE looks to be promising and in his third run after a layoff and in second time blinkers he can go close over a suitable step up in trip. 4 MASTERSHIP has some good maiden form and starts off handicapping on a reasonable merit rating and is well drawn with Fourie up. 6 GOLDEN PAVILION went close last time from a similar draw over the same course and distance and is off the same mark. 11 MISS SCALETTA won well over 1200m on debut and the form has worked out well but she is only two and off the 87 merit rating she runs is 2kg under sufferance. (9-4-6-11)

RACE 4     

5 SAVANNAH STORM 1 BINGWA 7 SCALLYWAG 2 EYE OF THE PROPHET

Preview: 5 SAVANNAH STORM is well drawn over a suitable trip and is capable of popping up in a race like this. 1 BINGWA has a lot of class but needs things to go his way and his draw of six out of eighth if a bit of a concern 7 SCALLYWAG won well from the front last time despite returning from a layoff and can make another bold bid. 2 EYE OF THE PROPHET is a Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas winner but has been off form, although he is drawn in pole and this is his easiest task for some time. (5-1-7-2)

RACE 5     

8 DARLING HARBOUR 10 SAY IT WITH ROSES 4 SPECIAL CHARM 7 A PLACE IN THE SUN 6 ROSY LEMON

Preview: DARLING HARBOUR’S close up finish behind Frances Ethel in her penultimate start in the Listed Oaks Trial makes her the one to beat here. 10 SAY IT WITH ROSES had some eye-catching maiden form before an easy win over this trip and looks to have been given an attractive opening handicap mark of 80 considering she is drawn well and Stuart Pettigrew has a fine record with Flower Alley fillies. 4 SPECIAL CHARM has been knocking on the door and is distance suited but does have a tough draw. 7 A PLACE IN THE SUN has come into her own but does have a tough draw. 6 ROSY LEMON is a capable sort and Muzi Yeni has won twice on her. (8-10-4-7-6)

RACE 6     

1 DIMAKO’S JET 6 DAMOVA 4 RED KNOT 5 PASCHALS SAMORE

Preview: 1 DIMAKO’S JET can progress after putting up a good effort last time over this trip from pole position and Fourie is now up from a fair draw. 6 DAMOVA ran a cracker in her second run after a layoff and should be cherry ripe. 4 RED KNOT won well in the maidens last time and off a 74 merit rating from a good draw is a contender here. 5 PASCHALS SAMORE is always dangerous from the front and is only three points higher than her last win. (1-6-4-5)

RACE 7     

11 SALUTE THE FLAG 7 SABRE STRIKE 1 PRESLEY 8 MASTER CHRISTMAS

Preview: 11 SALUTE THE FLAG converted fair Cape Town form into a win last time and the form has worked out very well so he is the one to beat from a plum draw. 7 SABRE STRIKE looks to be talented and should enjoy the step up in trip, but he does have a tricky draw. 1 PRESLEY is classy and back in ordinary handicap company after running in the Gr 1 SA Derby he can go close. 8 MASTER CHRISTMAS is a progressive sort who could also be in the shake up albeit from a tricky draw. (11-7-1-8)

RACE 8     

3 JUST BE LEKKER 2 VIX PRINCESS 6 ALABAMA ANNA 5 WOMAN OF POWER

Preview: 3 JUST BE LEKKER is classy and should be ideally distance suited but does have a tough draw. 2 VIX PRINCESS is well drawn over a suitable trip and this hard knocker should be right there again. 6 ALABAMA ANNA is ideally course and distance suited and has a fair draw so should be in the shake up as usual. 5 WOMAN OF POWER is talented and should get the trip on pedigree but has to prove it. (3-2-6-5)

RACE 9 

11 ACROSS THE POND 4 CEUTA 3 POMOZELOUS 9 SAHARA DAWN    

Preview: 11 ACROSS THE POND looks to have ability and should enjoy the trip so she has a chance from a good draw as she is only half-a-kilogram under sufferance. 4 CEUTA won her maiden easily and although not beating much her opening handicap mark looks reasonable. 3 POMOZELOUS has consistent form over further and runs fresh over a shorter trip from a tricky draw. 9 SAHARA DAWN has a tricky draw but should enjoy the step up in trip and can be in the shake up. (11-4-3-9)

TAndrew Harrison

The Gr2 World Sports Betting 1900 has always been a weathervane as to the make-up and result of the R5 million Hollywoodbets Durban July. One turns instantly to WSB 1900 and July winner Bulgarian, Justin Snaith planning his assault on the big race to perfection. He looks to have a similar plan regarding Future Swing.

Today’s contest has turned into a ‘mini’ July with all 14 runners entries in the big race to be run on Saturday, 6 July but it is a tough race to work around the form and runners returning from lay-offs.

Future Swing made his local debut in the Listed The Sledgehammer where he finished fourth behind Narina Trogon. In a race run at a pedestrian pace, he looked dangerous a furlong out before being out-paced in the sprint for the line. Expect a much better showing this time around and Snaith could have an ace up his sleeve! 

However, Brett Crawford, successful with Winchester Mansions in last year’s WSB 1900 building into victory in the Hollywoodbets Durban July could trump him as he saddles Oriental Charm who has shot up the handicap after his third place in the Gr1 SplashOut Cape Derby. Crawford is executing a similar campaign and Oriental Charm will be a big runner.. 

Snaith also saddles Without Question who has not been out since finishing third in the Gr1 WSB Cape Town Met and may need the run. A win could also see his handicap rating increase. Stable companion Mucho Dinero, both owned by prolific owner Nic Jonsson, was most disappointing in his local debut behind Formagear but was reported to have been changing legs throughout. From the head-on replay he appeared to lose his action coming over the subway which is a worry for his supporters. 

Narina Trogon, named after a colourful but elusive bird, has come well for his new stable and according to assistant trainer Craig Eudey, nothing went to plan in The Sledgehammer as the gelding fought for his head but kept running to win a smart race. This will be a further test and to see if the form holds any water. Imilenzeyokududuma was closing late on Narina Trogon in that same race but it was run at a pedestrian gallop so the form could prove suspect. 

With ten races carded, punters will have plenty of chances to fill their wallets and the Peter Muscutt-trained Rototo in the first leg of the PA fits the bill. Although one must keep an eye on a number of well-bred first timers, the comments from their trainers suggest that they are all out for the experience. 

On the other hand, Rototo made a smart debut at relatively long odds given the stable. That run should have brought him on lengths. Greenlight Express had one start in the Cape and should come on with the experience. 

Policy Of Truth steps out for the first time for Tienie Prinsloo in the opening leg of the Pick 6 and he could prove to be a fair bet. He comes with some useful Highveld form and in modest company and Richard Fourie aboard he should have a big say. A danger could be Iron Monger was closing quickly on stable companion Basie Raakvat last Saturday and has a strong chance on that showing. 

The fifth looks to be a bit of an open affair but Mascherina has been a beaten favourite in her two starts since shedding her maiden. She had a tough draw behind a promising filly last time out and can make amends. My Lady Soul has her first outing for a new stable but comes with some solid Highveld form to back her chances. An upset possibility is Bosnay who has been dropping in the handicap and starts for a new stable. 

Glen Kotzen has already started his Champions Season campaign with a win and sends out Hold My Hand in the sixth. She did not feature when returning from a lengthy break and starting at a short price in a PE Pinnacle Stakes. However, her form before that was excellent in top company but she will need to run up to that form in a tricky handicap. Donna Mo has a wide draw to contend with but has a long back straight to find position. She has smart Highveld form and a handy weight and could be a threat to the favourite. 

The Grey King is also a Hollywoodbets Durban July Entry and a win here will enhance his chances of making the final field. He has a big weight to shoulder but showed plenty of promise when runner up to stronger last time out where he raced very green. Royal Swan Master came from a seemingly hopeless position to edge out Ancient World last time out. The latter is 1kg better off in the handicap but the former does appear to be capable of further improvement. Golden Peace has improved with every step up in trip and was a comfortable winner last time out. He should be a big runner. 

Hitemhardsunshine could round off the Pick 6 in a tricky contest as he has been holding form well and has been close-up to the more than useful King Of The Gauls at his last two. He was finishing strongly last time out the Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance could swing it her way. Coin Spinner took on stronger last start in a set weights event and was not far back. His best recent effort has been over course and distance and he has Richard Fourie to help him home. The filly Shantastic is way better than her last run while Diani has been consistent of late and has a light weight. 

PLEASE NOTE!

Soccer 10: Sport 8 Pool 1 – 11 MAY 2024

Match 8 (M8):ATLETICO MINEIRO vs GREMIO. New Match Date: TBCGremio, Internacional & Juventude Requested Postponement Due to Floods.

Therefore;

Soccer 10: Sport 12 Pool 1 – 13 MAY 2024

Match 10 (M10): INTERNACIONAL vs JUVENTUDE. New Match Date: TBC Gremio, Internacional & Juventude Requested Postponement Due to Floods.

Soccer10 on Friday,10 May 2024 Add-In R 200 000 Pool Closes at 19h30 Sport 12 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 2 Million

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RUGBY 8 WIN MARGIN on Saturday, 11 May 2024 C/Over R 61 759 Pool Closes at 14h00

Soccer10 on Saturday,11 May 2024 Add-In R 200 000 Pool Closes at 16h00 Sport 7 and Pool 1 Estimated Pool: R 2 Million