Race Previews Turffontein Saturday Nov 12 by David Thiselton…

Race 1
Preview: SECRET STAR put in a bold bid against a promising sort last time and can win as long as the number one draw does not turn out to be too disadvantageous on the day. SEEKING GOLD made a good debut over 1450m when showing pace so might enjoy this trip. SHEPHERD’S DELIGHT is by Warm White Night and is a half-sister to three multiple winners. OROBLANCO lost at odds on last time over 1400m and returns to a sprint trip. KANTARA QUEEN by Elusive Fort is a half-sister to a horse who won his first two starts in Cape Town. (David Thiselton 5-15-16)

Race 2
Preview: ENBHARR went close over this trip last time and this son of top sire Fastnet Rock is only one point higher in the merit ratings. FRONT RANK has been knocking on the door and should stay this trip. CHEPARDO is a fair sort and is drawn well over a suitable trip. (David Thiselton 4-5-6)

Race 3
Preview: BABBLING BROOKE impressed last time and is likely running off a capped merit rating after being raised the maximum eight points so could follow up over an ideal trip, although her last run was just over two months ago. NTOMA should have come on from her last run and has the ability to be a contender off a competitive merit rating. CAPE MARIGOLD is only one point higher than her last winning mark. FEATHERFOOT can do better than her last few starts. COBY would prefer further but has some class which could pull her into the places. (David Thiselton 5-7-8-3-2)

Race 4
Preview: MISTY ROLLER caught the eye running on strongly from way back on debut over 1400m from a wide draw and he is now well drawn over a step up in trip he will appreciate. PAJAMA PARTY went close over 1400m last time and returns to a trip he has done well over before. He over raced the only time he tried this trip but that was in his second run after gelding and he might have settled down by now. JUST CRUISED IN had good form in KZN as a two-year-old and makes his seasonal reappearance. (David Thiselton 10-1-8)

Race 5
Preview: TALKTOTHESTARS is the highest rated sprinter in the country and is weighted to win this comfortably. BUCKLAND is an up and coming sort with fine gate speed and early pace and he should love this fast course and distance. TRIP TO HEAVEN is full of speed and class and he should be a factor. OOMPH gave signs he was ready to return to his best last time out and should enjoy the course and distance. ABASHIRI needs no introduction and although this is on the sharp side his class could pull him into the places. (David Thiselton 1-7-11)

Race 6
Preview: JOAN RANGER has speed and class and is drawn high as she was when winning the Camelia Stakes over 1160m. CROWN OF ROSES will appreciate the step back to 1000m and this talented sort is only 2kg out at the weights with Joan Ranger. KILAUEA has her second run after a layoff but on Cemelia Stakes form should finish close to Joan Ranger. GREEN PEPPER is an up an coming sort who could rise above her current merit rating, although on official merit ratings she is 6,5kg out at the weights with Joan Ranger so it won’t be easy. EXQUISITE TOUCH has talent although on official merit ratings she is 4,5kg out at the weights with Joan Ranger. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-12-6)

Race 7
Preview: LIEGE is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and should be coming into his own being a four-year-old by Dynasty. ST TROPEZ appeared to need his last run and is ideally course and distance suited but he does have a tricky draw. Marcus is back aboard which is a plus. MASTER SWITCH should be coming into his own this season and proved it last time so he could follow up. PRINCE OF ORANGE won on Grand Heritage day from a tough draw and should stay this trip. JUDICIAL has a good record on this track but this is likely a preparation for the Summer Cup. COLTRANE did well over this trip last time and the blinkers stay on. MASTER N’ COMMANDER is well weighted on official merit ratings and has proved he stays the trip before so could be a big runner if producing his best in his third run after a layoff. (David Thiselton 4-7-5-10-1-8)

Race 8
Preview: ARPAD’s only win was over course and distance and he has dropped to a competitive merit rating. He has a plum draw and a jockey who knows him. His last below par run was with cheek pieces on and they have been dispensed with. GOLDEN MAN is drawn in pole with Strydom up so he could go one better than his five seconds from five starts over course and distance. SLEEPINSEATTLE stayed on over this trip last time to finish close and can earn with a repeat. THE SHREDDER was not disgraced against a top class sort last time out over course and distance. KONCEALED is a nice type of horse who likes doing it from the front. He has tired late over 1800m recently, but the question is whether he has the pace to improve over this trip. (David Thiselton 6-5-11-2-1)

Race 9
Preview: EBONY KNIGHT won his maiden in commanding style but as a four-year-old his merit rating is likely capped, so he could well have a weight advantage. A low draw on this track is sometimes a disadvantage but not always so earlier races must be monitored. DOLPHIN is a speedy sort whose high draw could well be favourable and Strydom is aboard. He disappointed last time over 1000m when favourite, but that was from a wide draw on the Inside track. RONIN WARRIOR has not had much luck at the start in his two post maiden runs and if producing his best he could be a big runner here. He appears to be the stable elect. HARRY SILVER is interesting stepped down in trip as he appears to have some talent but makes breathing noises. However, he comes from off the pace over 1200m so might be left too far out of his ground here. JUST A JAG ran an amazing race in his penultimate start in a Graduation Plate over 1200m on the Vaal Classic track, considering he was way out at the weights. A repeat from a high draw could see him earning. MASTER BOULDER beat a fair sort when winning his maiden over course and distance and a repeat could see him being a factor. (David Thiselton 6-3-2-9-14-7)