Two sprint races are the highlights of a nine race Turffontein meeting today, which falls three weeks before the real fireworks of the Highveld Spring season begin.

British Royale won a fine race over 1200m on the Vaal Classic course last time, especially considering he had to race wide on the turn from draw 6 out of 7. He has plenty of speed and in tomorrow’s third race, a MR 98 Handicap over 1000m, he jumps from pole position. He has scraped into the handicap with the minimum weight. He is on the up and is selected to make it three on the trot. Trip Tease has run a bit below par in his last two. However, he has now dropped to an attractive merit rating and the Louis Goosen yard have shown signs of a form return in the last couple of Highveld meetings. He should make a bold bid from a good draw over a course and distance he has one win from one run. However, it won’t be easy having to carry 64,5kg and give British Royale 12,5kg. Furthermore, Isphan is 4kg better off with Trip Tease for a 0,2 length beating in the race on Grand Heritage day. Isphan had to jump from the worst draw of all that day too. He is off an attractive merit rating and is tipped to run second with Trip Tease third.

The sixth is a Progress Plate over 1200m and the topweight Buckland looks to have it at his mercy. He is officially 5,5kg better off with any other horse according to the official merit ratings. He likely needed it in the Spring Spree Stakes over course and distance last time as it was his first outing since June and also his first after gelding. He was far from disgraced in finishing three lengths behind the top class Kangaroo Jack. His low draw of three will be particularly advantageous due to his speed and Piere Strydom up is another bonus. He is well regarded and should be capable of carrying 61kg to victory. His younger stablemate Penultimate did not have his last race pan out well for him and is a lot better than the bare form suggests. It will only be his third career start and he has to race off an 86 merit rating, so it will not be easy. However, his debut was impressive and he should be given a chance to redeem himself here from a fair draw. Duke Nukem is a consistent sort who is should be capable of running on from behind, which he might have to do from a wide draw. He is the second best in at the weights but the drawback is the breathing noises he makes. Front Rank ran on strongly from the back in the Grand Heritage, having had to track over from the inside to the standside, and finished second. He should be running on again, but this is a touch on the sharp side and he is 9kg under sufferance with Buckland on official merit ratings. Call Kelly is a capable sort and is well drawn over a suitable trip. However it is his second run after a five month layoff.

Buckland has to be considered a banker.

At first sight there could be another fair bet in the seventh, despite it being a MR 82 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m. Fortissima is held in high regard and proved her class when finishing second in the Gr 2 SA Oaks. She needed her seasonal reappearance, when finishing second. She was confidently expected to win that MR 76 2000m race, despite carrying 62kg, and the slow pace did her no favours. However, she now faces stronger opposition. For example Inaninstant also looks capable of rising above her current merit rating of 84. Proof of that is she beat Intergalactic in the Listed Oaks Trial over 2000m in April. She was receiving 4kg that day, but if they faced each other today she would receive 9kg, so that was a good performance and she certainly looks the part too. On the downside she is returning from a five-and-a-half month layoff. However, coming from the Sean Tarry yard, she should be fit enough. Angelic Appeal, Gain Ground and Bajan Fantasy make most appeal of the rest.

Another horse who initially struck as a possible Pick 6 banker was Bold Coast in the last race over 1600m. After winning his maiden in commanding style over 1200m, he stayed on well in a strong Graduation Plate over 1450m and on paper ran a little bit above his 77 merit rating. He was a touch outpaced in that race and this son of Bold Silvano should relish the step up in trip. However, his maiden win over 1200m has not worked out at all well and there must then be a few question marks. The solid sort Hawaiian Sun thus becomes the selection, despite having to carry top weight, and the four-year-old Rownak, who was green on debut before running on strongly to win over 1600m, is tipped for second with Bold Coast third. Street Flyer and Nawra make some appeal too and can also be included in the Pick 6.

A race which at first sight appeared to be a Pick 6 stumbling block was the eighth, a MR 68 fillies and mares handicap over 1800m. However, a closer look reveals Tambalang to be a reasonable  banker prospect on a difficult card. She starts handicapping off a reasonable looking merit rating, considering she won her maiden easing up by 4,3 lengths over course and distance. Tricia Dupont was done no favours by a slow pace over 2000m last time and can also be included in the exotics.

David Thiselton

Turffontein (inside) Saturday Oct 15 Race Previews by David Thiselton

R1

Preview: TURF CONQUEROR by Western Winter is bred for this trip and wouldn’t have to be champion to win this. He has a good draw so is the selection to win. SHARP LINK stayed on well over 1160m last time and the form has worked out well. His dam was an out and out sprinter but being by Dupont, who was a decent miler, he has a chance of staying the trip. HUHI improved second time out when setting the pace over 1450m but has a tricky draw over this step up in trip, which he is not certain to enjoy on pedigree. (David Thiselton 10-6-7)

R2

Preview: VISION OF DAHLIA has hard knocking form and is drawn in pole with Strydom up over a trip she should enjoy. It is called the Stryker Maiden Plate, so she would be a fitting winner, although a concern is she is returning from a three month layoff. The blinkers are off over this increased trip. STRUT YOUR STUFF strikes as a stayer but a concern is the breathing noise she made last time. If the latter is not an issue here she should go close. YOURS AND MINE is well drawn and could plug on into the places. (David Thiselton 6-7-4)

R3

Preview: BRITISH ROYALE is a progressive sort who has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight and the pole position draw is ideal for his handy style. ISPHAN ran a decent race last time in a Pinnacle event over 1000m, considering he was way out at the weights, and he can go close here from a fair draw back in a handicap. TRIP TEASE has dropped to an attractive merit rating after two below par runs and it is his third run of the season, so he could be a factor despite a welter burden. (David Thiselton 9-7-1)

R4

Preview: BUSH PILOT went close after being backed on debut over 1400m and can follow up. CHARLESTON HERO ran a fair race from a tough draw on Grand Heritage day and can do well here from another unfavourable draw. PERSIAN APPROVAL is knocking on the door over this trip, but also has a tricky draw. (David Thiselton 5-6-7)

R5

Preview: NOOR is the best in at the weights and is interesting running fresh over this trip as she has sometimes over raced over further. SILVER CLASS has some class and is course and distance suited, but a wide draw is a concern. CRYSTAL GLAMOUR was undone by a wide draw over course and distance last time and can do better here with better luck in running. WATER LILY LAKE has shown glimpses of class and should be a factor in her first run for two-and-a-half months. LAST CHIRP had some decent two-year-old form and from a good draw could be a factor over a suitable course and distance despite this being her seasonal bow. (David Thiselton 5-2-6)

R6

Preview: BUCKLAND, who is 5,5kg better off than any other horse in this race, is well regarded and is drawn well over a suitable trip in his second run after gelding. PENULTIMATE is better than his last start and should go close if bouncing back to the form of his impressive debut win. DUKE NUKEM is coming into his own, so has a chance despite the tough draw, although the breathing noises he makes are a concern. (David Thiselton 1-8-5)

R7

Preview: FORTISSIMA is well regarded and likely just needed her last start, where the pace was too slow for her too. She is attractively merit rated and is the one to beat. INANINSTANT has some class and coming from the Tarry yard should be fit returning from a six month layoff. ANGELIC APPEAL is coming into her own and was only raised three points for a going away win over 2000m last time. GIRL ON THE RUN should have come on from her last run and is well drawn over a step up in trip she will enjoy. GAIN GROUND is improving but has a tough draw. BAJAN FANTASY is also on the up and is course and distance suited. (David Thiselton 3-1-5)

R8

Preview: TAMBALANG looks a fair sort and her opening handicapping mark of 78, earned through a win over course and distance, looks reasonable, although she has a tricky draw. TRICIA DUPONT has dropped back to her last winning mark and is drawn well over a course and distance she should enjoy provided she gets a stronger pace than she got in her last start over 2000m. COSTA DA SOL looks capable of earning off a three point lowered merit rating. KAHULA has not been disgraced in her last two against stronger and can earn. BELLE ROSE had decent two-year-old form and can’t be ignored in her seasonal reappearance over a suitable trip. BLUE LIGHT CONVOY is 0,5kg under sufferance but could earn. (David Thiselton 8-4-10)

R9

Preview: HAWAIIAN SUN is a solid sort who is course and distance suited and well drawn. ROWNAK is by Silvano out of a Galileo mare and turned it on well after racing green on debut to win over 1600m. He should stay on strongly again off a reasonable opening handicap mark, although from a wide draw this stoutly bred sort will likely have a lot to do. BOLD COAST was not at all disgraced last time out when running on well in a Graduation Plate field over 1450m which was stronger than this. This son of July winner Bold Silvano should enjoy the step up in trip. However, his maiden win over 1200m has not worked out well and there are some question marks. STREET FLYER ran a fair race on Grand Heritage day and is now off an attractive merit rating over a suitable course and distance and is well drawn with Lerena up. NAWRA is better than his last start and might appreciate the step down in trip. (David Thiselton 1-7-9)

On course punters will need to put their running shoes on and those off course their smart phones and computers handy as the first of the season’s Quickfire 20/20 meetings takes place at Greyville tonight. Nine races 20 minutes apart does not leave much time for thought so it’s best to work out your bets well before hand so as not to be left at the start.

With races alternating between jockeys’ and apprentices’ things are evened out somewhat but that does not make things any easier on what looks to be another tricky off-season card.

A five-furlong dash for the jocks heads proceedings and Anton Marcus appears to have picked another plum ride in Tony Rivalland’s charge Al Ciberano in the fifth on the card. The gelding hardly ever runs a bad race and only just failed when tried in blinkers last time out. Marcus has been in outstanding form of late and is a master of the poly track. Out My Way surprised last run and his two recent outings on the poly have been good. He can go close with this weight. Fire The Rocket is over his best course and distance and found good market support at his last start while Panza didn’t show in the soft ground at Scottsville but has consistent form before. He will be super fit.

The Lucas Lee & Associates Handicap is one for the apprentices in what looks to be a decidedly tricky affair. Master Of Mischief is long overdue and was narrowly beaten when taking on stronger at his last start. He also had the worst of the draw that day. He has a lot in his favour this time around and Wendy Whitehead’s runner looks the pick of the field. However, Dean Kannemeyer is starting to send out more runners from his satellite yard after a break from AHS vaccinations and a honeymoon and Soldier’s Code is sure to improve on his latest start where he looked in need of the outing. He has useful poly form and with a run under his girth should feature. Big Si had his consistency rewarded when a narrow winner last start and with a light weight and four-claimer Dennis Schwarz in mustard form he must be a threat.

Nothing on the card stands out as a solid exotic bet banker but Duncan Howells can round off the meeting when he saddles Wild Wicket. The Dynasty colt made a very tardy start when backed in to even money favourite last time out and was also green in the running. He will have benefitted from the experience around the turn and the extra will suit. Howells says he’s a nice horse and should be right there if not too green in his first start on the poly.

Mr O’Neill made a smart debut before running Gr2 winner Zodiac Ruler to half-a-length at his second start. He started favourite for his next two outings but disappointed on both occasions. Kannemeyer has declared blinkers this time around and if he doesn’t feature again he could be in for the unkindest cut of all. Principate has come to hand of late. He was a close-up second to stable companion For Ever last run for Lowan Denysschen and was the more fancied of the two stable runners. Roy’s Past. has come good on the poly and stays the trip and can feature in the shake-up while Air Salute will much prefer this trip and looks set to improve.

Andrew Harrison

Greyville (poly) Friday Oct 14 Race Previews by Andrew Harrison

1

Preview: Weak field but AFRICAN SUNBIRD is a smartly bred first timer and doesn’t have to be too good to win here. BABY IN BLACK has shown up well in recent starts over a touch further. She meets little of note here and should be thereabouts. NIGHT AT THE PROMS was backed in to even money favourite last start when tried in blinkers. Her two best efforts have been over course and distance. The blinkers come off and she can make amends. SWISS NOTE has been knocking at the door for some time now and is super fit. She does have a tricky draw to overcome. SHOW ME YOUR ROSIE raced green in a fair debut and is sure to come on with the experience. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-7-3)

2

Preview: Another weak field. MASTER RUNNER was a distant fourth last start but the winner won by eight lengths. He should come on from that effort. ZINZARA has improved with a tongue-tie and was not far behind the promising Accidental Tourist last outing. She makes her poly debut. ROY’S MONEKY ran well below par at her last start. She had some useful form over further before that and at best will go close. MASTEROFMYDREAMS has improved in blinkers and the extra should suit. (Andrew Harrison: 1-11-12-2)

3

Preview: Wide open. MISS MINVER may just have needed her last outing when sent out favourite. Her two best efforts have been on the poly and she jumps from an inside gate. DANCE CITY QUEEN is down in class and tried further last time out. She has blinkers here and an ace pilot aboard. SOUL OF SPAIN was mush improved first up on the poly and although she has a tricky draw she must have a chance.  ICY SPIRIT showed up well first run out of the maidens and drops in class. She should have a chance in this line-up. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-9-3).

4

Preview: NEWYORKSTATEOFMIND comes out of a smart formline. He takes on weaker here and a repeat of his latest effort should see him home.  ALDRIC has been in good form on the turf but does go well on the poly. He ran an excellent race at the Vaal last time out and rates a big chance on that showing.  KEPT SECRET has caught the eye at her last two and goes well over course and distance. WINTER DARLING seldom runs a bad race and is at home over course and distance. She should feature in the finish. JASON ARGO has a big weight but smart form over course and distance. (Andrew Harrison:  10-3-7-2).

5

Preview: AL CIBERANO hardly ever runs a bad race and only just failed when tried in blinkers last time out. Anton Marcus gets the ride. OUT MY WAY surprised last run but his two recent outings on the poly have been good. He can go close with this weight. FIRE THE ROCKET is over his best course and distance and found good market support at his last start. PANZA didn’t show in the soft ground at Scottsville but has consistent form before. He will be super fit. FLYING ROCK showed up well first run pout of the maidens but she does take on males. (Andrew Harrison: 4-11-7-8).

6

Preview: Wide open. MASTER OF MISCHIEF is long overdue and was narrowly beaten when taking on stronger at his last start. He also had the worst of the draw that day. He has a lot in his favour here. SOLDIER’S CODE needed his last run. He has useful poly form and with a run under his girth should feature. BIG SI had his consistency rewarded when a narrow winner last start. He has a light weight and can follow up. SELVAN’S JET has a tough draw but has been trying further and the drop in trip could suit. (Andrew Harrison: 2-3-7-8)

7

Preview: DESERT SUNSET has run two crackers on the poly and looks the horse to beat. KINGS LADY has consistent form over course and distance. She takes on males here with a big weight but should be right there. GREATFIVEEIGHT made a promising poly debut and can build on that run. ROY’S ROLLS ROYCE has shown up well in two starts over shorter. Delpech rides. Go close if he stays. (Andrew Harrison: 1-4-7-6)

8

Preview: ZILLA came from well back from a wide draw last time out. She has a handy weight and should be running at them late. MODERNISTA has been touched off at her last two on the poly. With a useful claimer aboard she can go one better. LA VIDA BANCO won well in the soft last time out and prior to that took on males. She has a fair weight but can follow up. MAYBE was a game winner of her last start and with a four-claimer up she must have a good chance on a repeat showing. (Andrew Harrison: 6-4-1-3).

9

Preview: WILD WICKET  made a very tardy start when favourite last time out. Extra will suit and he can make amends. MR O’NEILL has been disappointing after showing early promise. He tries blinkers and may be worth another chance. PRINCIPATE has come to hand of late. He was a close-up second to stable companion Forever last run. ROY’S PAST has come good on the poly and stays the trip. He should feature in the shake-up. AIR SALUTE will much prefer this trip and looks set to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 12-6-7-8)