The Turffontein Inside track stages a low key nine race meeting but there could be some fair opportunities for punters.
In the first race over 1200m Without Limits was prominent from the off in the R1 million Maiden on Charity Mile day and she then stayed on well for a decent 4,1 length sixth. This is a much weaker field so she will be hard to beat from pole position under Gavin Lerena. Seventh Light found some support on her debut over 900m at Kenilworth last December but weakened and has not been seen out since. The first-timer Super Fine is by Duke Of Marmalade and is a half-sister to the two-time winner Inga who reached a high of a 79 merit rating but who is a miler to middle distance sort.
Captain And Master
The second race over 1200m is another uninspiring event and although Banana Republic is a battling maiden having his 17th outing he does have a good opportunity to get off the mark here jumping from a good draw over a suitable trip. The first-timer Starlighttemptress from the Woodruff yard is interesting as she is by Seventh Rock out of a half-sister to the dam of Not Sulking, who did very well for the Woodruff yards in features a few years ago. Others to consider are Hit The Road, Jacko Boy and Kutamba.
In the third race over 1800m Myrrh was ridden handy from a similar draw last time over 1700m and plugged on well for second. He now has Gavin Lerena aboard and is the one to beat. Toastmaster is a big horse who has scope for plenty of improvement, so he could have benefitted from a 77 day layoff and will be a big threat, although he does have a tricky draw of ten under champion jockey Lyle Hewitson. Greatest Wish was not disgraced in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and can earn in this weaker field. He is by Var but his dam, Fisani by Kahal, won the Grade 2 Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m so he should stay the trip.
The fourth over 1800m could be won by Dunas Douradas as she finished well when stepped up to 1600m last time and has a fair draw. Viscount Vivien is not far off Duna Douradas and Fly Thought is better than her last start.
The fifth race over 1800m features some fair sorts and the consistent Hafla should enjoy this course and distance from a good draw. She was a late foal and has always struck as one who would improve with age so she should start coming into her own now. Noceur as a five-year-old is now fulfilling the promise she always showed but does have a tough draw to overcome. Pretty Ballerina, Cold Cash and Tammany Hall can’t be ignored either.
In the 6th over 2000m Hokanui is another who has struck a one who could improve with age and he can follow up on his win last time over this trip, which followed a seven month layoff. Hakeem has dropped to an attractive mark but has to prove he stays this trip. Excalibur’s return goes for a hattrick and has to be included too.
The seventh race over 1450m has the day’s best bet, Captain And Master. He is full of class but can be headstrong, so he should relish the step down to this trip and is well drawn.
In the eighth over 1600m Strawberry Pavlova is a talented sort who should enjoy the step up in trip and Shelley can bounce back over a drop in trip she will enjoy. Invincible Lady, Lady Val and Guns And Roses are hard to ignore.
The last is an uninspiring handicap and Pale Lilac could outclass them despite jumping from a wide draw and having to carry topweight. Written over raced over 1800m last time so could be dangerous from a good draw over a drop in trip and All I Got is capable of popping up in a race like this at a big price.
By David Thiselton
