Turffontein’s first weekend meeting of the new season is on Sunday on the Standside track and punters look to have some fair chances in the eight races.
Maximizer (Nkosi Hlophe)
The highest rated race is the sixth, a MR 88 handicap over 1400m. National Key is an eight-year-old who has won his first start of the season on three different occasions and he could do so again here, although his wide draw is a concern. In his penultimate start over 1600m, having dropped to his lowest ever merit rating of 81, he was narrowly beaten but was more than five lengths clear of Maximizer, who won a Listed race on the Greyville poly over 1600m next time out. In his next start over 1400m National Key pecked at the start and was never in it, so that run can likely be ignored. He is still off an 81 and is the selection to win. Yankee Captain has to bounce back from a poor run last time when something felt amiss over 1600m and he finished eleven lengths behind National Key.
However, his course and distance record here is hard to ignore, as he has won twice and placed second once in four attempts, and furthermore he is drawn in pole position. Kings Archer also has a decent course and distance record and if he repeats his last run here he will go close as he was under sufferance in that Pinnacle Stakes event over course and distance yet charged home to be beaten only half-a-length by the useful Will Pays. Quinlan looks to have scope and also looks likely to stay this trip. He has had a busy campaign and if his trip to Durban, where he finished fourth in a Grade 3 over 1200m, did not take too much out of him he can be involved. Danza has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has a fair draw over an ideal trip so should make his presence felt. Vulcan has been knocking on the door over this trip, but does have a wide draw to overcome so will likely have to be used up to some extent to get to the front where he likes to be.
The first race, a Maiden over 1160m, is interesting as the form horse The Puma is returning from a six month layoff. However, he looks to be a cut above the rest and can beat home Midnight Messenger, who should improve from his fair debut, and the speedy Wellspring. Alwahsh and Piaget Prince are first-timers to take note of.
In the second over 1000m, The Thinker is a solid sort who won the last time he ran over course and distance and he can defy topweight off a four point higher merit rating. He is lightly raced and won the last time he returned from a three month layoff. However, it is an open race and the like of the speedy but inconsistent Isphan and the consistent All Night Flight also have chances.
Will Pays (Nkosi Hlophe)
The third over 1600m is an uninspiring maiden, but Imperial Ounce, Dancing Rebel and Skiminac should be enough to get punters through the exotics.
In the fourth over 1600m Teenage Dream could surprise as she will relish the step up in trip from 1400m last time and has dropped to a competitive merit rating. She has a fair draw and the Lucky Houdalakis yard are in good form. However, Sim-Alley Bank will be a good back up as she has proved competitive off her current merit rating and has a good draw with Gavin Lerena up.
In the fifth B Twenty One looks a fair bet to continue her winning ways over staying trips as she could well still be ahead of the handicapper, although Arabian World has always struck as a staying type and will likely give plenty of cheek.
The progressive High Seas Beauty, the well drawn and distance suited Rouge Allure and the promising Dame Kelly can fight out the seventh over 1400m as they are all nicely drawn, although End Game is also a capable sort and Jo Mambo and Comme-Ci-Comme-Ca can’t be ignored.
In the last race over 1600m Spring Indeed is the form horse and should be cherry ripe to deliver as she is having her third run after a layoff, although she doesn’t have an easy draw. Iridium Silver has excellent course and distance form so looks the main danger.
By David Thiselton
