The Grade 3 Lebelo Sprint over 1000m heads the card at Turffontein tomorrow and Prince Of Kahal can continue to defy the handicapper.
This four-year-old Kahal gelding looked exceptionally well handicapped when dropping to an 87 considering he finished sixth in the Drill Hall Stakes and was unlucky not to get a place. He has won three times since then and has risen to a 98 but this might not be enough to stop him. The danger is Rebel’s Champ who has developed into a top class sprinter. This long-striding sort will be attempting to mow them down late but he does have to give Prince Of Kahal 6kg which will make it tough. However, those two should be enough to get punters through the Jackpot and Pick 6. Prince Of Kahal should be enough for the PA.
In the first race The Sands is made the value bet of the day. He over raced over 1600m last time so will appreciate the step down in trip and should be running on as he has shown a fair turn of foot before. He was well beaten in the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Cup when racing too handy. This is the weakest race he has been in since his debut in which he stayed on for a fair fifth over 1200m despite being green. A good draw will aid his cause.
In the second race Olofberg disappointed over course and distance on Saturday but is better than that and can be given another chance. Orapa looked to have plenty of promise early in his career and stayed on last time over course and distance to be beaten 1,95 lengths by Aurora Australis. He is now 2kg better off with the latter so there will be little in it.
In the first leg of the PA Nimcha, Flapjack and Wild Fire are the form horses and can all be included in a PA which is not going to cost a lot to play.
Silver Thursday is 8kg better off than any other horse in the fourth and can be made a PA banker although she could still need it and Invincible Lady and Gottalottaluv can be included in the Pick 6. The latter has always struck as one who has possessed some class but would need time. She did well in first time blinkers last time and can rise above her current 70 merit rating, which puts her a whopping 12kg out with Silver Thursday here.
In the first leg of the Jackpot Throng was highly tried last season and has his third run after a rest off just a 79 merit rating over a suitable 1800m trip. Hakeem cracks a good draw for a change so will go close and Major Return is on the up and can also be included.
In the sixth race Oravar looks to have promise and the blinkers will aid him in his step back down to 1000m. He is a PA banker but Whorly Whorly could pop up one of these days and should be included and so can Brigtnumberten, who has speed and is interesting in his second run after gelding.
In the eighth race Running Brave is relatively well weighted and despite this 1160m trip being too sharp her class can pull her through. Made In Hollywood is comfortably best in at the weights so must be included despite a poor Highveld debut. On her best Cape Town form she would doddle this. Ouro is consistent and can also be included.
The last race is the toughest of the exotic legs. Mouth Keith, Cumberland and Certifiable all have high draws which are often advantageous over this 1160m trip and they should all be included in the PA. However, going as wide as possible is the advice for the Pick 6.
By David Thiselton
