David Thiselton

A MR 96 Handicap over 1450m is the headliner on the Turffontein Inside today and the one to beat is Obsidian.

The Erupt gelding was used up to get to the front last time with a big weight of 62kg over 1600m and faded out. He is drawn in pole this time and will probably appreciate the step down to 1450m. Fully Loaded is effective over this trip and should also be thereabouts from a middle draw in the eight horse field. Max The Magician is in fine form and is distance suited but has to carry topweight and has a wide draw of seven. Skittle Skies won well last time over 1800m but has to overcome a nine point raise and will find it on the sharp side. Richard The First could make his presence felt over a suitable trip from a plum draw.

In the first leg of the PA over 2000m Military moves improved second time out when stepped up to this trip and can go one better here. Asiah’s Tiara is knocking hard and should be the main threat. The Silent Future is by Futura and is therefore not surprisingly on the up and could earn.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Xenophon has been eye-catching and should continue to progress, so is the one to beat despite a tough draw. Constellation is in fine form and has pole position so will be dangerous. Top Division has a fair draw and has the ability to earn here. Banyan was not disgraced last time against a good sort and will appreciate this opportunity over the same trip. Ready Set Fire was only 1,25 lengths behind Banyan and could earn.

In the fifth race over 1000m Gimmethegoodlife was too handy last time down the straight and can be relaxed from a good draw around the turn this time and then kick on, so could bounce back under Gavi n Lerena. Rafa Bay goes for a hattrick and should be right there over a suitable trip from a middle draw with 4kg claimer Savannah Valjalo keeping the ride. Espinoza can be in the shake up if repeating his last start from a plum draw. Rondebosch has the ability to earn but it is his second run after a long layoff. Esquevelle could go close if repeating his last start.

In the sixth over 1600m Father Christmas should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but does have a tricky draw. Coppola has fine recent form but also has a wide draw. Frere Jacques stood little chance with the winner last time but is a lively candidate here over an ideal trip from the middle draw in the nine horse field. Unsolved Riddle is usually right there and has another chance from a plum draw. Gamer could be a threat from pole position.

In the seventh over 1450m Monkey Puzzle is a progressive sort and starts off handicapping off a reasonable 75 merit rating after a comfortable maiden win. Speedman won well on debut and can follow up off a reasonable 83 mark from a plum draw over a suitable step up in trip. Bay Empire has run well against some fair sorts recently and will be a threat from a middle draw under Lerena. Guerilla Warfare could earn here as a hard-knocking sort who has a 2,5kg claimer up albeit from a wide draw. Golden Aspen has pole position and is capable of popping up.

In the last race over 1450m Grand Empire won well on debut and has a reasonable 87 merit rating but he does have a tricky draw. Chieftain’s Shield is progressive and can run on after being dropped out from a wide draw. Longsword is also is capable of running on well from pole position. Coming In Hot could earn if producing his best. Romilly has disappointed in his last two starts but is interesting over further from a plum draw with Lerena up.

In the first race Rockabilly and Old Fashioned finished close together last time over this trip and look set to fight it out, although Rockabilly was making his debut then and should improve.

In the second over 1000m Varachino’s Champ wasn’t disgraced against a firecracker on debut and has a fine chance here. Duchess Di made a fair debut and could be the main threat, while Master’s Lady has 3,80 lengths to make up on Varachino’s Champ but could earn, although he has a tough draw.