The Turffontein Standside course has an eight race meeting today and there are some fair sorts turning out who could help punters in their exotics.

In race 1, a maiden plate for three-year-olds over 1160m, Carol Master made a fair debut after finding a bit of betting support to shorten from 12/1 into 8/1 and with natural improvement should go close. Spanish Tune was not disgraced from a tricky draw around the turn over 1200m on debut and should improve. Jackman made a fair debut over course and distance and Gavin Lerena is an eyecatching booking. Muntu has improved with blinkers and has a shout. One Track was in season on debut and could improve. Plum British is a R225,000 purchase by Great Britain and makes most appeal of the first-timers.

In race 2, a maiden plate over 2000m, Thunder Applause pulled hard over 1800m last time but if allowed to go to the front this time could go close as he still stayed on quite well in the aforementioned event. Payne’s Grey ran a fair second last time over this trip from the identical draw and goes well for this jockey. Sergeant Pepper has improved with blinkers and should enjoy the long straight  of this course as he stays on well.

In race 3, a Graduation Plate over 1800m, Bankable Teddy is weighted to win comfortably and over this suitable trip with Lerena up she should do so as he proved last time out in a handicap over 2000m he is up to his merit rating. In The Cruise was disappointing in his last two starts but if reproducing his best over this suitable trip he could earn. Unagi was disappointing in a Gr 2 over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day but if he reproduces his previous run, when winning a handicap  over 1600m at The Vaal in facile fashion, he could be a threat from pole position. His merit rating is likely capped having been given a maximum of eight points for that easy win but he is officially 8kg under sufferance with Bankable Teddy. Blazing Winter is on the up and on the evidence of his last win over 1450m should enjoy the trip. Hypothermic and Let It Rain have a tough task at the weights with Bankable Teddy and are more exposed than the three-year-olds.

In race 4, a MR74 Handicap over 1800m, Odd Rob is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and is the one to beat. Boy Boy is knocking on the door over this sort of trip and has proven competitive off this merit rating. Baracah is off a merit rating close to 40 points lower than his highest mark and he proved last time he is now competitive again and he should also be suited to the course and distance as one who runs on from off the pace.

In race 5, a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, Gasoline has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has won over the course and distance, although the wide draw is a concern as he is a handy type. Nero has the blinkers off which might be a concern over this drop in trip but he is drawn in pole and has proven competitive off this merit rating. De Lujo is limited but is an honest sort and over a suitable course and

St John Gray

distance can earn from a plum draw. San Julian Bay has improved for this new yard and is not without a chance of following up on his maiden win over a suitable trip. Beza is under sufferance but finished fast over the inside 1450m course last time so could possibly earn here.

In race 6, a MR 87 Handicap over 1160m, William Nicol from the St John Gray yard has come into his own and could make it a hattrick. Thrust has been a bit disappointing lately but has class and is due a change of luck so could go close. Angel’s Power has been consistently close off this sort of merit rating over this sort of trip. Dennis The Menace can never be written off as one capable of producing a strong finish from off the pace. Zortziko is quick and is thus suited to this course and distance, although he is still six points higher than his last win despite his merit rating having dropped a couple of points from his last run.

In race 7, a MR 69 Handicap over 1160m, Ronin Warrior came back after being headed last time to win cosily, which suggested he had a bit in hand and off a 67 merit rating he could follow up on that maiden win. Pistolero ran on well to win last time and looks to be improving so could possibly handle a seven point raise. Aramouse is interesting over a drop in trip as one who has been handy before hanging in the latter stages over 1400m.

In race 8, a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, Speedy Gonvarlez is very quick so should enjoy the course and distance and she is better than her last run. Easy Game won her only start over course and distance and is only three points higher now in the merit ratings. Lumya proved her class over 1160m last time as well as her suitability to this course. Crown Of Roses has a big weight to lug but has earned it with her recent runs so should be thereabouts. Evening Breeze is better than her last effort when not striding out and if reproducing her penultimate run can go close. Tapaway can’t be ignored over a suitable course and distance.

David Thiselton

The Vaal has an eight race card on the outside track on Wednesday and the high draws are usually favourable on this course.

In race 1 over 1600m Stunned is the form choice having been used early last time from a wide draw over 1700m and still managing to stay on for second. The concern here is the unfavourable low draw and a decision will have to be made whether to use him up early again to try and overcome it or perhaps drop him out and attempt to find cover at the back as he looks capable of running on well. Tapenzee was well beaten in fifth on debut over 1450m but was green and was running on well after the penny had dropped. The form of that race looks quite good to date and he should improve, but he does have a tough draw. Seven Sovereigns has a plum draw and might enjoy the step up in trip having stayed on at one pace from an unfavourable draw over 1200m at the Vaal last time. He is a half-brother to an Al Mufti gelding who won twice over 1600m, but on the other hand he is by the speed influence Seventh Rock and two of his other siblings by Var and National Assembly respectively were decent sprinters, so it is not a certainty he will stay the trip. Excellency ran on in eyecatching fashion last time after a slow start over 1600m but he has a tough low draw here. Mr Tinsel also has a tricky draw but looks likely to relish the step up in trip and Gavin Lerena aboard is a further positive. Flying Fool went to the front over 1450m at Turffontein last time and stayed on for a fair fourth so could find the outside rail here with his early pace and being by Daring Bid, who won from 1600-2200m, he has a chance of staying the trip.

In race 2 over 1600m Counterstroke has a plum draw and looks likely to find the outside fence with the slow starting Excalivar outside of him. He is dropping in class and running off a reduced merit rating over an ideal trip, so could be the one to beat. Star Point’s best recent run was over this trip and on formlines a case could be made for him to beat Counterstroke. However, he is drawn one inside of him and will have a tougher task finding the rail. Royal Master has hard-knocking form off his present merit rating and is distance suited as well as having a 1,5kg claimer up so the only concern is his number one draw, although in a field of this size he could get away with being dropped out to the tail of the field.

In race 3 over 1600m Realist found little extra from near the front on debut but looks to be a nice type and stripping fitter here from a good draw she could go close in this weak field. Mike de Kock sends out an Irish-bred filly by the top class sire High Chaparral from a fair draw and she wouldn’t have to be a champion to beat this field. Tennesse Red could improve and if doing so should earn.

In race 4 over 1200m, Khetiwe over raced over 1400m last time so should appreciate the step down to 1200m and has the ability to win this uninspiring event. Nine OÇlock news is drawn on the right side and this improving sort should be running on into the money provided he starts quicker than he has been. Pippi Shortsock has the form to earn here over a suitable trip.

Race 5 over 1200m is a potential stumbling block for punters as it is wide open. Rivarine Forest has a tough low draw but can afford to be dropped out as she runs on well from off the pace. The consistent Our Miracle can overcome her low draw with her good early pace. Freely Forever was not striding out and made a breathing noise last time but if reproducing the form of her maiden win over 1000m here she will go close from a plum draw. Raring To Go won over course and distance last week and off a three point higher shouldn’t be far back from a good draw. Beautiful Shay is well drawn and over a trip on the sharp side should be running on, although she was given a five point raise for her win last time out over 1450m.

Gavin Lerena

In race 6 over 1400m Jubilee Line would prefer a lot further but is drawn on the ride side, has Gavin Lerena up and is easily the best in at the weights so is the one to beat running fresh. Nephrite was most disappointing last season after a promising two-year-old campaign but if bouncing back to form could earn here. Sky High Flyer won well second time out and although officially having a tough task at the weights with Jubilee Line (11kg under sufferance) he could rise above his current merit rating and will appreciate the step up in trip.

In race 7 over 1000m Ronin Warrior has been given a reasonable handicap mark after winning well over course and distance with a second time tongue tie. Tiger’s Legacy is four points higher for his win last time out, but that was his first attempt at this minimum trip for some time, so he has a shout from a plum draw.  Night Editor has won two from three since being stepped down to 1000m and has a chance again here despite a tough draw. Salute The Sun has the ability to win this and has a good draw. Striking Pose is a 1000m specialist and has dropped to a competitive merit rating.

In race 8 over 1000m the one to beat could be Wanted Man who made a good debut over course and distance and is well drawn. Flight Mode has a big shout too from a good draw over a suitable trip with Gavin Lerena up. Alpine Glacier, a first-timer by Var, is a full-brother to the speedy Valberg, who won easily on his debut over this course and distance, so Andrew Fortune is an interesting booking. Edgbaston could do well if reproducing the form of his penultimate start and he has every chance of doing so from a plum draw. Prince Of Savoy has speed and should be involved here. Miesque’s Rumba ran a fair race last time over this trip and if this slow starter is dropped to the back from a low draw he could earn.

David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne, having bounced back to win on his return at Kenilworth on Saturday, can go in again on Emerald Gal in the Quinte Plus Maiden at the Cape Town course today.

The Darryl Hodgson-trained four-year-old steps up to a mile after three runs over 1 200m and the extra distance is significant. Although the Irish-bred is out of a six furlong winner by the sprinter Johannesburg she is by Galileo who wanted a mile and a half.

Her form so far suggests promise rather than proven ability but the extra distance could swing the balance. She is reasonably priced at 7-2 and the sahorseracing computer has her winning by a neck and the same from the three-year-olds Figure Of Grey and Keep The Faith. The former is favourite at 33-10 with World Sports Betting but is drawn widest of all so the Vaughan Marshall runner looks a bigger danger at 7-2. Silver Laurel (4-1) is the highest rated horse in the race.

Purple Tractor can get punters off to a winning start in the Welcome Maiden. He beat all except Power Grid on his last run and the winner really franked the form by going on to win convincingly on his handicap debut last Saturday.

Don’t be put off by Corne Orffer riding the stable’s newcomer Give It Away instead. Brett Crawford confirms that Francois Herholdt partners the 22-10 favourite because he rode him last time – and the colt will not want for anything from the saddle.

The Marshall horses are on song and evens favourite Rock Of Africa is hard to oppose in race two. He started slowly when second at Greyville and had the third over five lengths back when occupying the same spot at Scottsville. Crawford’s 5-1 chance Pop The Question looks next best.

Andrew Fortune thought he had got up when Logan finished strongly last time and the former champion’s mount appeals at 4-1 in the Play The Bipot Maiden.  William The Brave, a full brother to the  2010 Cape Derby winner Bravura, is 22-10 favourite but he is badly drawn, as is 3-1 shot King Of The Rally, while Edict Of Nantes (33-10) has losses to recover after racing green on the bend when starting favourite 17 days ago.

Overshadow is a warm order at 16-10 for the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap but Richard Fourie’s mount only got up on the line last time and has been put up 2kg. Top weight Waiting For Rain (5-2) has been raised 3kg for his win and so Kirumbo is suggested at 5-1.

The Marshall-trained Mr Jay (33-10) appeals in the last with Fortune in the irons. Boldly Respectable (7-2) and 11-2 chance I Travel Light look the principal dangers.

Michael Clower

The dust has settled on another highly successful Champions Season in KwaZulu-Natal and the 2016 National Championships of South African racing again produced many memorable and exciting finishes as well performances out of the top drawer by both horse and rider.

From the time Bela Bela and Black Arthur opened the Season back in early May with scintillating victories in their respective Guineas all the way through to Marinaresco’s brilliant season-ending emotional and nail-biting success in the Mike and Carol Bass Champions Cup, the Season thrilled racing fans around the country and indeed the world. Piere Strydom, who celebrated his 50^th birthday during the year, was seen at his brilliant best from the worst of the draw when winning on The Conglomerate in the Vodacom Durban July. Another highlight was certainly Enaad’s Gold Vase/Gold Cup double, the first time ever that this staying double has been achieved.

Not to be outdone Anton Marcus rode the race of his life to get Rabada home in the Daily News, despite dropping his stick at the top of the straight, and Coenie de Beer’s Talktothestars took our breath away when carrying top weight to an effortless victory in the Tsogo Sun Sprint.

Greyville turf track

But while all this glorious action was taking place, Gold Circle came under fire for the condition of its turf tracks at both Greyville and Scottsville. While remaining silent at the time, so as not to further shift focus from the quality of racing, Gold Circle now wishes to set the record straight. The Company is satisfied that the condition of the tracks at no stage proved a threat to horse and rider. “Naturally in winter the tracks do not look as green as the summer tracks but the underfoot surface was good throughout the season, notwithstanding the torrential downpours in May and July, each of which delivered more than 200mm of rain within a 24-hour period,” said Marketing Executive Graeme Hawkins.

“At Greyville in winter the Cynoden grass takes over from the Kikuyu which results in a mixture of green and brown turf – not aesthetically pleasing but the underlying surface was good and certainly fit for racing. This is borne out by the evidence and feedback we have had from NHA and private veterinarians as well as many of the leading trainers, locally and from around the country, who raced horses throughout the Season at both Greyville and Scottsville. The statistics appear to suggest that fewer injuries occurred during this past Season and KZN Champion trainer, Dennis Drier, was one of the leading trainers who reported that his runners all came through the Season largely unscathed,” added Hawkins.

“Scottsville, like the tracks on the Highveld, is subject to frost in winter and the colour of the turf quickly changes during the course of Champions Season. Unfortunately, the perception of draw bias down the straight persisted but by adding a false rail to the inside of the course we were able to counter this and ensure safe and fair racing for all at our big Sprint race meeting,” concluded Hawkins.

The Equus Awards take place tomorrow evening at Emperor’s Palace in Johannesburg and the KZN Racing Awards are scheduled for Friday night 26 August at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban.