Punters have an interesting eight race meeting at Turffontein tomorrow and the Tote exotics will likely be popular wagers.

In the first leg of the PA, a Progress Plate over 1160m, Play The Night is weighted to win and showed a good turn of foot two runs ago when winning with a bit in hand over 1200m on the Inside track. He followed up with a fair effort in a Listed event over 1400m at Greyville, when leading and tiring, so should enjoy the trip here and looks to be a PA banker. Machismo and Snow Boarding are the back ups for the risk averse.

Lyle Hewitson

In the first leg of the Pick 6, a Maiden over 1160m, Boatswain will likely start favourite, despite returning from a layoff since June. He lost at odds of 1/5 last time over 1000m, having run two good races against top horses in his first two starts. He was beaten by a fair sort last time and was four lengths clear of the rest of the field, so is still the one to beat. However, the third placed horse that day Sweet Trial was staying on strongly and has run two decent races since then, so warrants inclusion.

In the first leg of the Jackpot, a Maiden over 1600m, the controversial Tapanzee could be the one to side with. A top workrider was suspended for 90 days after finishing unplaced on this horse at odds of 7/10 last time. His regular jockey Lyle Hewitson is back aboard and although he appears to not be a straight forward ride, he looks to have plenty of ability and has a fair draw over what should be an ideal course and distance. Alssakhra represents the very much in form Paul Peter yard. He returns from a layoff since May 28, where he displayed his nice stride in the front over this course and distance in quite a strong maiden and only just failing. Gavin Lerena is aboard from a fair draw and he has to be included. King’s County caught the eye staying on late over 1160m last time and should enjoy the step up in trip. He does have quite a tricky draw. Before Noon ran poorly on debut, but has since been gelded and it is difficult to ever ignore the Tarry-Khumalo combination, so this horse is worth considering for the exotics from a plum draw. Dancing Rebel is having his 39^th start in the maidens but is hard to ignore on his recent form, which included a third place finish last time over course and distance close behind two promising sorts. Unfortunately, he has another wide draw to overcome. If the rider displays more patience he could get closer, although he will be hard to win with.

In the fifth race, a Maiden over 1600m, the Silvano filly Nor’Wester is a possible banker. She started 32-10 favourite on debut, but lost the jockey at the start after being bumped and shying sideways. She looked quite impressive without the rider aboard and on pedigree should relish the trip and faces an uninspiring field with Strydom up. Diva Faustina led and was run out of it by a fair sort over 1400m last time. She is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw. Weichong Marwing remains aboard and is likely to ride her a touch more conservatively. King’s Creek has been in good form and lost narrowly last time over this trip despite losing a shoe. However, she is having her 26^th start, so is well exposed. Boudica is by Silvano so should be improving and can be considered jumping from pole with Gavin Lerena up. Spice Queen has run a good race over this trip before and is from the in form Paul Peter yard, so is a roughie to consider despite poor recent form.

The sixth is a good class MR 84 handicap over 1400m and is the highlight of the day’s racing. Zouaves ran above his merit rating last time when moving up well and finishing 0,75 lengths behind the classy filly Bella Sonata. The latter followed up by finishing third in the Grade 1 Jonsson Workwear Garden Province Stakes. Off a mere 81 merit rating Zouaves has a fine chance here back in a handicap over an ideal course and distance. The unbeaten Social Order has an obvious chance too. He was raised the maximum eight points last time when winning a Novice handicap over this trip by 6,6 lengths. Therefore, his merit rating is likely capped. The race is between this aforementioned pair on paper, but both are returning from layoffs, which makes it a tricky one for the exotics. Silver Scooter, Bold Viking and Bold Coast make most appeal of the rest, but Tandava and Artemisia are another pair who could upset.

The seventh is a sprint handicap where the whole field of nine could be included, although the selections for the first three is Fidelio, Ronnie Rocket and Zerodarkthirty.

The last looks to be a tricky sprint handicap over 1160m at first sight, but Lauren Of Rochelle stands out when delving deeper into the form and watching the replay of her last start over course and distance last Thursday, where she was an unlucky 1,05 length third.

By David Thiselton

Not that many horses in Cape Town win on debut and then follow up in their first handicap start – and so Do It Again may prove to be well out of the ordinary.

True, his victory in the last at Kenilworth on Saturday owed a great deal to Bernard Fayd’Herbe successfully gauging the pace as way too fast for ground softened by over 70mm of rain.

But the Twice Over gelding’s finishing burst was as impressive as the way he won – he made up the best part of five lengths in the final 100m and was easing up before the line. “95% of horses would not be able to do what he did here,” pointed out Justin Snaith

Bernard Fayd’Herbe

Two races earlier Snaith chalked up the 2 300^th winner of his great career when R20 000 bargain Sassy Lady took the 1 000m handicap after Grant van Niekerk secured outside help to extricate himself and his mount from a position akin to the jaws of a car-crusher, and almost as dangerous.  He was fast closing on the pace-setting State Ballet and had horses hemming him in on either side. “I was getting too close to the leader’s heels and I had to shout for room,” he related. “The gap then opened.”

The season’s leading trainer fully expected the way Fred Crabbia’s Sabbatical and Fayd’Herbe wore down hot favourite Johnny Black in the closing stages of the 1 200m maiden, explaining: “We were quite bullish. I had him in Durban throughout the season and I nominated him about six times but on each occasion the ground was too firm to risk him.”

Anton Marcus increased his amazing Kenilworth strike rate by making it look easy on two of his four rides but course doctor Ahmed Naili informed the stipes that he had advised the four-time champion  against using the sweat box to do 56.5kg on Eastern Front and Querari’s Secret. The former only managed third and Vaughan Marshall decided to save the latter for another day as he could find no suitable jockey.

Marcus’s two winners were both for Joey Ramsden and seemingly the previously headstrong True Words is one for the notebook. “He‘s got ability, speed and action,” said an impressed Ricardo Sobotker while Marcus added: “There is no reason why he shouldn’t win again. He will get seven furlongs but further than that will depend on his demeanour.”

However blinkers failed to work the oracle with Ice Queen in the Betting World Maiden won by Kotzen newcomer Wings Of Honor (Fourie) who was backed from 7-1 to 37-10 favourite. And two races later front-running tactics didn’t pay off for Leadman who weakened out of the frame after Silver De Lange took over for Andre Nel and Greg Cheyne.

Sunil Aniruth would have retired Scorpion Queen two races back had not Aldo Domeyer been available and the doctor’s favourite jockey duly ended Paul Reeves’ run of seconds in the TAB Telebet Maiden.

A little surprisingly, there was no inquiry into improved form after the Glen Puller-trained Western Storm came right away under Morne Winnaar in the Interbet.co.za Handicap. He had finished ninth and 11^th on his two most recent starts.

By Michael Clower

I once read somewhere that your first winner as a racehorse owner is up there with war and sex. I don’t think either was on the mind of Lady Colleen Glaeser as she dropped the lead rope like a hot potato after Amor Ardiente entered the winner’s circle at Scottsville yesterday – not necessary out of excitement. “I’m terrified of horses!”

Belinda Impey’s 25-1 shot was met by a few mutterings from punters as the son of Antonious Pius out-pointed favourite Drauglin but it was a win full of merit. Visiting rider Gunter Wrogemann, down to ride at Scottsville mainly at the behest of Louis Goosen, was also impressed. “He’ll easily get eight to 10 furlongs,” he surmised.

Amor Ardiente (Candiese Marnewick)

Amor Ardiente certainly enjoyed going around the turn for the first time and as hard as Draugluin tried, he was unable to peg back the winner.

It was all rosie for punters in the first as Zen Arcade landed the odds for Louis Goosen and Wrogemann. The diminutive but well put together son of Ideal World was hardly off the bit as he landed the odds. Up with the pace throughout he had the opposition of the bit and running around like headless chickens as they tried to close the gap. “They breed them tough at Mauritzfontein,” said the Ashburton trainer. “I’ve had to stomp on him a bit but he’s taken it all.”

Dennis Bosch arrived on track decked out in a tie in spite of the sweltering spring weather, a sure indication that he is expecting a winner. Although Laters Baby was probably not the stable elect on the afternoon, she outdid her more strongly fancied stable companion Got Your Back, keeping going under Anthony Delpech to hold favourite Coral Queen in the Track & Ball Gaming Maiden.

It was a quick one-two for Mario Ferreira who’s colours were also carried by Zen Arcade.

Blake and Cathy Richard have had a lot of success with some modestly priced horses but they also have patience. Queens Diamond showed marked improvement when tried in blinkers on the Greyville poly and followed up with an end-to-end success in the third. Keen on the way to the start, she took off from the gate and the opposition would have needed a spy-glass as she bolted some 15 lengths clear.

“She got away from me,” admitted Brandon Lerena, replacement for Keagan de Melo (missed flight). “But that allowed me to sit a bit longer in the straight.” Lerena gave his mount a clear breather in the straight and then kept the mare going to cause major damage to the Pick 6 with hot favourite Got You Back unable to reel in the runaway winner.

“I think blinkers made all the difference,” said Mark Dixon. “She did well on the poly and I think the firm ground will also have suited her. If she hadn’t featured here we could always have gone back to the poly.”

By Andrew Harrison

Louis Goosen, now permanently resident at Ashburton, broke the ice at Scottsville on Wednesday when Haddington held off all challengers and the former Vaal-based trainer can add swiftly to that tally with Zen Arcade in the card opener at the same course on Sunday.

The son of Ideal World made his debut in the BSA Million over 1400m and only found one too good for him in the slightly more experienced Broadway Trip out of the Alec Laird yard.

Admittedly, it was not the strongest of fields but there were plenty of runners primed for the R600k first prize so this was a particularly good effort first crack out of the box.

Haddington (Candiese Marnewick)

Of some concern is the drop back to 1200m but any improvement on his debut effort should set him apart from the rest of the raced runners.

Of course, there is always the chance of a ‘springer’ amongst the first timers so it is advisable to keep an eye on the market.

Highveld visitor Gunter Wrogemann has four rides for Goosen and next best from the yard appears to be Flight Mode in the last who appears to finally be getting his act together. He had shown little for most of the year but the addition of a tongue-tie appears to have him back to something like his best when showing much improved pace before fading late over the Vaal 1000m last time out.

All True Man, Risky Rosco and Elegant General have shown enough to be major threats in what is an open affair.

Anthony Delpech has stuck with Got Your Back after two close-up finishes over course and distance in the third and Dennis Bosch’s runner is likely to start at cramped odds and is a possible Pick 6 banker in the opening leg.

Draugluin was an expensive failure when backed into 6-10 for his last start but he was simply out-paced over the last furlong, scraping into third. Dennis Drier stretches him to 1400m on Sunday and the son of Twice Over can make amends.

Opposition includes World Mission, who has the worst of the draw, and Mighty Valdie, who has shown steady improvement for Doug Campbell although his last two outings have been on the poly at Greyville.

Zen Arcade (Candiese Marnewick)

The Soccer 6 Handicap is a typically difficult fillies and mares handicap where Drier holds a fair hand in top weight Russet Roses and Uprise. Both were ridden to victory by apprentice Diego de Gouveia at their last starts and one can reasonably assume that he would have had the choice of mounts, even at the expense if stable rider Sean Veale. Uprise was only a maiden winner but she revelled in the step up in trip and looks capable of following up.

After showing consistent form on the Greyville poly, Iced Up was disappointing when switching to the turf earlier this month. However, that was her second run after a break and can be expected to produce a better performance this time around. Russet Roses, Peggy’s Dream and Yess are others that warrant consideration.

Perfect Jay and Touch Of Magic are likely to dominate the market for the Blinkers Bar Handicap as they look to be a cut above their rivals. Draugluin did not do Perfect Jay’s form any favours when run-over next time out but Dean Kannemeyer’s runner is on the up.

Touch Of Magic takes on males but shed her maiden convincingly on debut and was not far back in a competitive handicap when returning from a break. That run should have brought her on.

There should be precious little between Great Value and Panza in the seventh, Panza finishing just under a length to the good when last they met. Both have run two cracking races since with Ivan van Wyk’s runner having his third run after a well-earned break.

One to watch is Archilles, having his second outing for Goosen and his third run after a break.

By Andrew Harrison

A MR 92 Handicap over 1900m heads a tricky nine race card on the Turffontein Inside track and Amsterdam looks the one to side with.

The six-year-old Windrush gelding finished second to French Navy in the Grade 1 SA Classic over 1800m as a three-year-old and was in good form between May and July this year, running four times and winning two races, both over 2000m. He has pole position and this trip looks ideal, considering he was doing his best work late over 1800m last time. He proved in that last race he is worth his 84 merit rating. Piere Strydom, whose was aboard for both those aforementioned wins, is now back aboard, another plus.

Piere Strydom

Wild Horizon could be the main danger. He is not drawn as well as he was last time when beating Stonehenge by 4,05 lengths over 2000m on the Standside track and he might prefer a more galloping track than this one. However, he did look to have a bit in hand when crossing the line that day, so can beat Stonehenge again, despite being 4kg worse off. Stonehenge is an effective handy-to front-running type who looks perfectly distance suited and Gavin Lerena is aboard. There is little between Stonehenge, Amsterdam and Wild Horizon. Bankable Teddy has a chance if repeating his runs in the Jubilee Handicap and the July consolation race.

Dawn Assault won a Graduation Plate in eyecatching fashion by 8,25 lengths over 1800m last time. Khumalo remains aboard, although they do have a tougher draw. Furthermore, he was weighted to win that race, whereas he is held by Amsterdam on previous form over 2000m, having lost to the latter by 2,2 lengths and now being 1,5kg worse off. Lee’s Pick is 2kg under sufferance according to official merit ratings, but there is not much between him and Amsterdam on their last meeting over 2000m, so he can’t be completely ignored. They are selected in the order mentioned.

Punters could get off to a good start in race one over 1000m with Hampton Court, a R300,000 Var colt who might outclass them. He is a half-brother to the useful speedster Horse Guards and made a good debut in May over this course and distance when finishing third behind two decent sorts and beating another decent sort. The concern is he made a breathing noise and hasn’t run since that debut race in May. The back up is Strikers Boy. He had bad luck in his first two starts, but last time showed what he can do when showing pace throughout over this trip at the Vaal and finishing a 1,5 length second to the hard knocking Wellspring. He is relatively unexposed and was still a touch green in that last start so can improve again.

Punters could be in the pound seats again in race two over 1450m with Ossetra. She caught the eye third time out when staying on for second behind the promising Awaafy and she did not have a lot of room at a crucial stage of that race either. She has a reasonable draw over a step up in trip she should enjoy.

S’manga Khumalo

Vacquero in race three over 1800m could also prove hard to beat, considering his fair debut over 1200m and his good staying on run over 1600m last time. However, Llandudo is no slouch and in his second run after gelding could be a threat from a good draw over a suitable trip.

Bandola is the choice in race four over 2600m. Firstly, she has a good form chance, secondly she is from the yard of the expert trainer of stayers, Weiho Marwing, and thirdly she is by Silvano, so will be improving and will likely relish the trip.

Race six over 1400m is a Pinnacle Stakes event and the classy Shatoosh is the one to side with. Last time she tracked She’s A Dragon over 1600m and the jockey under-estimated the kick and resolute finish the latter would produce and couldn’t catch her. That race proved she would prefer 1600m to this trip, but her class could pull her through.

Spring Indeed could also make amends for her last start in race seven over 1600m. She was continually baulked and just as the gap opened a horse flew up on the outside and she was unable to catch the latter. She was only raised one point and has another plum draw.

The eighth is tough, but Curbstone Shuffle, Cinnamon Slew and Shine Bright make most appeal.

In the last, also over 1600m, Shotgun Rider finished strongly over 1450m last time and is now drawn in pole off a two point higher merit rating. He can beat Nephrite, who goes notably well for Anthony Delpech.

By David Thiselton