Turffontein Standside stages an eight event meeting of maiden races and there look to be a few opportunities for punters.

Piere Strydom (Nkosi Hlophe)

Like A Panther looks to be the one to side with in the fifth race over 1600m, despite not having run since the first of April. This classy looking sort was green in that Juvenile Plate event over 1400m and only went down by 2,5 lengths to Aurelia Cotta, who followed up by winning his next start. He is drawn in pole position under Callan Murray and being by Captain Al out of a Galileo mare should relish the step up in trip. Llandudno could be a threat as he is a galloping sort who will love this course and distance. From a draw of six under Piere Strydom he will likely attempt to run Like A Panther off his feet and any lack of fitness in the latter might be found out. Those two should get punters through the exotics.

In the following race over 1600m, Cashel Palace was outpaced over 1400m last time and stayed on well despite the saddle having slipped. She will relish the step up in trip on both pedigree and running style and has a fair draw. Until Dawn was only half-a-length behind Cashel Palace in the aforementioned race and was staying on too, although Cashel Palace did overtake her late in the race. Until Dawn has pole position draw again, so could be a threat under S’Manga Khumalo. Exclusive showed good pace on debut over 1000m but on pedigree should prefer this trip so is of some interest with Gavin Lerena up. Queensberry Square ran a fair race over 1600m last time and looks capable of further improvement so is of some interest from a good draw of three. Nico’s Chick ran a fair race on Saturday over this trip and is drawn well too, so should be considered for exotics.

In the fourth race over 1400m Effortless ran well last time over 1200m on the Inside track when drawn nine out of nine and struck as one who would enjoy the step up to this trip. She has a fair draw under Mark Khan, the former champion jockey who will be looking for a winner in the first meeting of his comeback. Diva Faustina ran a good race over course and distance in her penultimate start from a good draw, so is a big runner here too from pole position, especially considering Weichong Marwing has stayed aboard for three runs in succession. Those two look enough to get through the exotics in an uninspiring race.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1400m, Ekuseni made a good debut over this course and distance and should go close from pole position as he is a big horse with scope for improvement. However, Stay With Me will be a threat as he was staying on well over 1400m last time and will likely enjoy this course and distance. Piaget Prince is also a big horse who will improve from his debut and will appreciate the step up in trip.

Callan Murray

In the first leg of the PA, Kutamba has hard knocking form against some good types over this 1000m trip and could be a banker. Ilha Da Var disappointed when starting at shorter odds than Kutamba last time and is the back up as she can do better.

In the first race Riding Shotgun is the one to beat having just failed to hold on last time over 1450m against Broadway Trip who went on to win a R1 million race. He drops back to 1000m but showed good pace in his penultimate start over 1160m when beaten by the promising Zerodarkthirty.

In the seventh over 1160m the Candice Dawson-trained first-timer Varsity Girl makes appeal being by Var out of a Grade 1 winner Give Me Five and thus a half-sister to the useful Myfunnyvalentine. She would not have to be great to beat this field. Forgimme, Sweet Juliet and Monarchy Mist are the backups as horses who have shown a touch of ability. Farsighted by Tiger Ridge is another interesting first-timer being a full-sister to an eye catcher from last season, Orapa.

In the last over 1160m, Mutuwaary disappointed with first-time blinkers on last time. The headgear stays on and if he recaptures his earlier form he is the one to beat. If he fluffs his lines King Of The Delta and Manitoba are the backups. Florentino by Silvano is an interesting first-timer, being a half-brother to the classy Grade winner Negroamara. Finding Troy by Go Deputy is also an interesting first-timer.

By David Thiselton