The Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting tomorrow which should produce rewards for those who do their homework.

The ninth race, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1 450m, is the most fascinating contest of the meeting as it sees some good horses turning out.

Wylie Wench is way out at the weights on official merit ratings but has not had a chance to prove herself yet.

She caught the eye when winning her maiden over this course and distance as she was caught wide in the running, yet still managed to move into the lead effortlessly. She then wandered around, so clearly does not yet know what it is all about, but she surged when given a backhander to win cosily. She has considerable scope for improvement and might upset Rio’s Winter, who comes off two excellent runs in the Grade 2 Gauteng Fillies Guineas and the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic.

This might be a touch sharp and does come quite soon after those tough races. Wisteria Walk has a lot of talent and this is her probable optimum distance but this is her first run back from Cape Town.

Kayla’s Champ has ability and is capable of finishing strongly. Golden Belle also warrants respect. 

In the first race over 1 450m Forever Light opened up the biggest outsider in this race but he faced a relatively strong field on debut and was not disgraced when staying on for a 9,75 length seventh to the fair sort Karnallie. He finished just a length behind The Contractor in that race but was finishing stronger, so the World Sports Betting opening odds of 33-10 for The Contractor and 28-1 for Forever Light do not make any sense at all.

Forever Light should be improving all the time being by Duke Of Marmalade.

He is out of the Jallad mare Murmering Sky, who won twice as a two-year-old from 1 200m to 1 450m and later finished second in the Grade 3 Flamboyant Stakes over 1 600m, so he should relish the step up in trip and has a fair draw. The gelding will be ridden by leading apprentice Dennis Schwarz. Stablemate Champingatthebit was slowly away and outpaced on debut over 1160m but was staying on at the finish. He has a plum draw here and could earn. Takagari was narrowly beaten by The Contractor when making his debut over this course and distance. However, he was dropped out from the widest draw of all and made up a lot of ground from way back so he could reverse the form.

The Contractor and The Eighth Lord both come out of that race and can earn here.

The second race over 1 450m is tricky. Swiss Bank faced a strong field on debut over 1 160m and beat the like of Rabbedoe, who went to be feature race placed.

Powder Puff moved up last time over course and distance but appeared to not try very hard and was reported not striding out.

The blinkers now come on and this could wake her up so she is tipped to reverse form with Mynage and With Our Blessing. Mynage does look to have scope so should be improving and it will be no surprise to see her win despite having to jump from a tough draw.

In the third race over 1 450m Dice The Bullet looks to have plenty of scope and was moving up well last time over this course and distance when she was put off by the sudden outward shift of Stunning. She could reverse the form here from another good draw.

Stunning was bumped at the start in that race and was later carried out.

She finished just a length behind the promising sort Wylie Wench, although the latter didn’t have the run of the race and still won comfortably.

She has a fair draw and Strydom stays aboard.

Hot Gossip went for home too soon in first time blinkers last time over this course and distance and was overtaken and beaten six lengths by the promising Viper Jet. With a more conservative ride she could be in the shake up from a fair draw.   

Psycho King has a good form chance in the next over 1 600m having been beaten just a length by Nebraas last time over 1 800m. The latter went on to finish second in the Listed Derby Trial over 2 000m.

Psycho King should be bothered by the step down in trip as he hit the front early last time and was caught late.

Crank It Up went close over 2 000m in his penultimate start and then after gelding went close over 1 400m.

He now gets blinkers on over a step up in trip he will appreciate and should be a big runner from a plum draw. Waltzing Al can place here on form.

In the fifth over 1 600m the much touted Marshall sneaks into the handicap carrying the minimum weight and could make a bold bid, although he remains disappointing considering his sparkling homework. This could well be his ideal trip.

 Indy Go was beaten 1,45 lengths by Marshall the last time they met over this trip and is now half-a-kilogram worse off. He is officially 1,5kg under sufferance but has the ability to still be right there.

The talented Dan The Lad easily win over 1 450m here last time and enjoys this course but this trip stretches him a touch. However, he is drawn well and at the age of six might start enjoying this trip so has a chance.

In the sixth race over 2 000m Marshall Foch is in fine form and although given a seven point raise for his comfortable win over 1 800m in yielding going last time Christopher Robin came out of a well beaten position in that race to win the Listed Derby Trial.

Fact is just three points higher for his good win over this trip last time and has a plum draw.

The long-striding Glider Pilot would probably prefer the Standside track but enjoys this distance and has a shout.

In the seventh race over 2 000m Gentleman’s Wager has always struck as a progressive sort and he has a fine turn of foot. He is versatile and will enjoy this trip.  Major Return will have a chance if breaking well as he is a touch one-paced but is effective from the front or a handy position.

 Zeal And Zest ran well behind Marshall Foch last time considering he lost three lengths and he has won a win and a second in two starts over this course and distance. 

In the eighth over 1 000m Waimea showed good pace when winning his maiden over 1200m in second time blinkers. He now has pole position over 1 000m and runs off a reasonable opening mark of 76. Undisclosed has a similar profile, having won his maiden over 1 200m by 2,50 lengths when showing pace and he runs off a 77 merit rating from a fair draw so there won’t be much in it.

However, they might be split by Pearl Of Siberia who returns to his favourite course and distance.

• Due to the Coronavirus outbreak and in line with Government regulations, all race meetings around the country will take place behind closed doors until further notice.

The general public will not be allowed access but all races will be shown live on Tellytrack, DSTV channel 239.

• To take a bet go to TABgold.co.za

By David Thiselton

Head Honcho, winner of last season’s WSB Premier Trophy and beaten less than a length when third in the Sun Met the following month, has been retired.

The six-year-old finished last in this year’s Met, the final one of his 23 starts and Andre Nel said: “I think the writing was on the wall when he disappointed in his previous race (the Green Point) but he had run the race of his life in the 2019 Met and it is hard to run like that two years in succession.

“He won nine races, four of them stakes races, so he earned his keep. He is still on our West Coast farm but we are looking for a home for him. I would like him to go somewhere he can compete because that is what he likes.”

Stable companion Capoeira, third in last season’s Daily News and more recently second to Crown Towers in the Selangor Jet Master, will renew rivalry with that winner in the Kings Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday when he will be ridden for the first time by Anton Marcus.

Nel said: “Hopefully Anton can give us an opinion on the horse because we have had conflicting views from the jockeys who have been riding him recently.”

By Michael Clower

“Barring a catastrophe, we need to make it happen in some format.” That was the determined response from Chris Haynes, executive director of Bloodstock South Africa when quizzed on how the National Yearling Sale will cope with the new 100-people gathering limit.

BSA yesterday postponed its flagship sale by four weeks to May 20-22 but the new date is provisional and is to be reviewed on April 16 in order to mirror the government’s target date for the evaluation of Covid-19 and its measures to combat the pandemic.

The sales company has also put back the Cape Mare Sale and the KZN Yearling Sale by three weeks – the new dates are June 11 and July 23-24. The Emperors Palace National Two Year Old Sale will now be held on September 17-18 but the Emperors Palace Ready To Run/November Two Year Old Sale remains on November 1.

Haynes said: “On April 16 we should get more updates from the government on whether the gathering limit increases or whether they leave it the same – and at that point we will have to see if we can work around it with things like limiting people into areas.”

By Michael Clower

Railtrip has paid the price of showing early potential and from a merit rating high of 100 drops to an 88 on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. Not that this makes any difference as she contests a set weights Graduation Plate that has attracted only five other opponents.

Railtrip has been battling under big weights in handicap races mostly against males of late so Gavin van Zyl will no doubt have targeted this set-weights race as it comes as a relief as far as Railtrip’s burden is concerned.

With ‘only’ 56.5kg to shoulder Railtrip will feel as if she is running loose and in deed comes out well on top of the best weighted column, especially with the scratching of Electric Surge that in theory gives her a 3kg advantage in that regard.

In spite of her big weights, Railtrip has still managed to be consistent and this may be her the break for her third win. But she does take on a couple that could make things difficult.

Duncan Howells has been enduring a particularly difficult time as his stable battles a virus – not connected to Corona. The normally prolific yard has not had a winner for some weeks but Howells has made a few changes and commented on Monday that his horses are looking a lot better.

He saddles Special Blend who made a smart poly debut behind course and distance specialist High Green last time out, coming from way back only to fail by half-a-length. The blinkers come off and Craig Zackey stays aboard.

Land Of Mystery looks safely held by both Railtrip and Special Blend if recent form is anything to go on but the blinkers are replaced by cheek pieces and a slight ‘tweak’ can often produce major results.

Michael Roberts and jockey Serino Moodley has struck as a combination to follow and they team up with Ad Altisima in the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap, one of the more difficult races to puzzle out.

Ad Altisima has smart form over course and distance and has not been out of the money since being gelded. He was run out of it late in Graduation company last start but although he has drawn a little wide, he should make a bold showing. Dennis Bosch was again tempted into sending Mutawaary over further last run but he seems more at home of this shorter trip and he looks a lightly threat to the selection.

But the list of possible winners is a long one and includes Kingston Rock, Captain Cobalt and High Voltage.

Rachel is something of a family affair in the sixth as she will be ridden by Warren Kennedy, is trained by Barbara Kennedy and her brother Wayne and is owned by their mother.

Rachel has come to hand nicely after a break and racing in blinkers and has her peak run. She went close last time out and can go one better. Her biggest danger could be recent maiden winner Brunilda who was a facile winner last time out. Garth Puller commented that she had been unlucky at her two previous outings and was not surprised by the ease of her win.

Sheik’s Storm is always game but does appear a length or two better over an extra furlong while Valeriana may just have needed her last run and can improve.

Gary Rich is a vastly under rated trainer and gets the most out of his limited stable talent. Pina Colada has been full value for her two wins to date and can break a string of runner-up berths in the seventh.

She does not have the best of draws but goes very well over the trip and is consistent.

Regular pilot Billy Jacobson has been signed on as stable rider to Louis Goosen so has been obliged to jump ship to partner Goosen’s mare Fleek with Sherman Bown taking over on Pina Colada. The mare and Rich are due a change of fortune. Of the balance, Popova’s last run is best ignored as she pulled up lame and coughing. She had been showing signs of winning again prior to that and from pole position should be much improved.

• Due to the Corona virus outbreak and in line with Government regulations, all race meetings around the country will take place behind closed doors until further notice. The general public will not be allowed access but all races will be shown live on Tellytrack, DSTV channel 239.
• To take a bet go to TABgold.co.za

By Andrew Harrison

Hollywoodbets Greyville Wednesday Tips and Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

3 FLYING PETER   2 TREAD SWIFTLY   1 LIGHT THAT LOOSE   5 THE SNOW WAR
Preview: FLYING PETER (3) made a promising debut. That run should bring him on nicely. TEAD SWIFTLY (2) caught the eye in a barrier trial behind the promising older filly Dancing Feather and is one to watch in the betting. The same goes for LIGHT THAT LOOSE (1). Andrew Harrison: 3-2-1-5).

Race 2

8 MACALLAN   9 TONIGHTSFIGHTNIGHT   11 TRANSONIC   4 TROMSO
Preview: Open race. MACALLAN (8) has been costly to follow having been a beaten favourite at his last three starts but he can do better over this trip. TONIGHTSFIGHTNIGHT (9) was green on debut but was not far back. He is sure to come on from that effort. TRANSONIC (11) was touched off over course and distance last run. He has drawn wide again but must rate a strong chance. TROMSO (4) made a fair debut and is another that should come on with the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 8-9-11-4).

Race 3

1 SPANISH OASIS   5 HIGHLAND HEATHER   10 BLANCHETTA   8 LEADING LYRIC
Preview: SPANISH OASIS (1) Has her third run after a break. She is seldom far back and has a big chance in this line-up.  HIGHLAND HEATHER (5) has had one run back since a break. She is lightly raced and has shown ability. BLANCHETTA (10) was a well beaten second last run but meets a weak field here and has a chance of going one better. LEADING LYRIC (8) raced green in a fair debut and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 1-5-10-8).

Race 4

3 RAILTRIP   2 JOSEPH JAGGER   6 SPECIAL BLEND   5 ELECTRIC SURGE
Preview: RAILTRIP (3) has been costly to follow but she may now be in the right race. She has been lumping big weights and is better off in this set weights contest. JOSEPH JAGGER (2) is unbeaten in both starts on the poly. Both were close finishes. SPECIAL BLEND (6) has consistent form in blinkers and was touched off last run. The stable is quiet at the moment but will turn eventually. ELECTRIC SURGE (5) is way better than her last run. She has a light weight and can finish in the money. (Andrew Harrison: 3-2-6-5).

Race 5

9 AD ALTISIMA   8 MUTAWAARY   6 KINGSTON ROCK   10 CAPTAIN COBALT
Preview: AD ALTISIMA (9) has smart form over course and distance. He has drawn a little wide but should make a bold showing. MUTAWAARY (8) tried further last run but seems more at home of this shorter trip. KINGSTON ROCK (6) has consistent form to weaker but only has 50kg to should which should make him competitive. CAPTAIN COBALT (10) is always dangerous. He is better than his last run. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-6-10).

Race 6

6 RACHEL   7 BRUNILDA   9 SHEIK’S STORM   3 VALERIANA
Preview: RACHEL (6) has come to hand in blinkers and went close last time out. She can go one better. BRUNILDA (7) was a facile maiden winner last start. She had been a little unlucky at her two previous outings and has a strong chance of going in again. SHEIK’S STORM (9) is always game but does appear a length or two better over an extra furlong. VALERIANA (3) may just have needed her last run and can improve. (Andrew Harrison: 6-7-9-3).

Race 7

12 PINA COLADA   1 POPOVA   7 SPIFFY   5 KEEP ON DANCING
Preview: PINA COLADA (12) does not have the best of draws but goes very well over the trip and is consistent. She is due a change of fortune. POPOVA (1) last run is best ignored as she pulled up lame and coughing. She had been showing signs of winning again prior to that and from pole position should be much improved. SPIFFY (7) showed up nicely in her first run back from a break. The cheek pieces go on. KEEP ON DANCING (5) was a comfortable maiden winner last outing. That form has stood up but she does have a big weight. (Andrew Harrison: 12-1-7-5).

Race 8

11 FADE TO BLACK   5 TILMEETH   4 BACKPACKER   9 TEICHMAN
Preview: FADE TO BLACK (11) has drawn wide but has put in two promising recent efforts and looks the part. TILMEETH (5) makes his debut for his new stable. He has shown some fair Highveld form and at best should go close.  BACKPACKER (4) was a well beaten second last run but took to the poly surface and should be competitive. TEICHMAN (9) was not too far back from a wide draw. He is lightly raced and can be dangerous. (Andrew Harrison: 11-5-4-9).

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