Turffontein Inside track stages a ten event meeting tomorrow and some decent horses are being stepped out with some big Highveld Spring features fast approaching.

The celebrated triple crown winner Abashiri makes his long awaited reappearance in a Pinnacle Plate over 1600m. His tough three-year-old season took its toll and his three runs as a four-year-old were all below par. However, he returns from a nine month layoff, which he should have benefited from, and if running close to his ability has a chance. However, he is likely to need the run and others are preferred.

Liege

Shukamisa has already had two runs this season so will be fit and faces a field who are mostly returning from layoffs. He was staying on over this trip in his penultimate start and is drawn in three with the added bonus of Anthony Delpech aboard. Being a four-year-old by Silvano he should now be coming into his own. He is not badly off at the weights, being only 3,5kg under sufferance with the officially best weighted Abashiri. Master Switch won his reappearance last year over 1800m following a similar layoff to this one. His only bad races have been at Greyville and from draw two running fresh over a trip a touch too sharp he should go close. He is only 1,5kg under sufferance with Abashiri on official merit ratings.

Brazuca won his reappearance over 1400m in November last year and won over this course and distance in February, so has a fine chance here being the second best in at the weights on official merit ratings. Romi’s Boy has fine form over sprints where he has shown a lot of pace in the past before staying on. He was staying on well over 1200m last time at this course when held up and as a long-striding sort by Querari out of a Montjeu mare who won over a mile he is very interesting here from pole position. Furthermore, he is a half-brother to a Jay Peg horse who has won over 1800m. The Sean Tarry pair Liege and Samurai Blade both have the ability to win but are returning from layoffs.

Liege has his second run after gelding and is preferred. Banner Hill does well over staying trips but won well over 1800m at Greyville in a preparation run earlier this year so could surprise here.  Irish Pride has plenty of ability and is distance suited and should have come on from his last run, so can’t be ignored. Bezanova’s second run after a year long layoff comes a week after his poor comeback, so he can’t be fancied despite the suitable distance. The selection is Shukamisa to beat Master Switch, with Brazuca, Romi’s Boy and Liege next best.

Samurai Blade

Earlier, in an MR 90 handicap over 2000m, the horse who beat Shukamisa last time, Kilrain, could follow up for, despite being raised four points, he is likely looking for this trip now. Topweight Bankable Teddy won well over course and distance last time, but now has a wide draw and a four point higher merit rating to contend with. Therefore the main danger could be Top Shot, who stayed on in his penultimate start over this course and distance. However, it is a tricky race and going wide might be the best way to tackle it.

In the next race, a Progress Plate over 1450m for three-year-olds, Warrior’s Rest could be the one to beat. This big horse likes to lead and he then stays on strongly, so the course and distance should suit, especially running fresh as he would ideally prefer a mile. His wide draw is a concern as he will have to be made some use of. Flying Free impressed in the Grade 2 Golden Horseshoe over 1400m when being hampered at a crucial stage at the top of the straight but recovering to run on for a close fourth. He ran a fine race carrying 62,5kg in his reappearance over 1200m and should go close.

The seventh is also a Progress Plate over 1450m, but is for three-year-old fillies. Silver Thursday has had the benefit of a run this season, where she stayed on well over this course and distance and she has a good draw with Delpech up. Let It Flow ran a fine race in the Grade 2 Golden Slipper over 1400m and has the ability to be involved in her seasonal reappearance here.  Aurelia Cotta, Only To Win and Dame Kelly are all capable of winning, although the latter is the preference of the trio, being drawn well and having romped home in her seasonal reappearance over 1600m.

The last leg of the Pick 6, a fillies and mares handicap over 1200m is the trickiest race on the card. However, the well-bred Best Kept Secret should have come on from her last run and from a good draw could keep going this time.

By David Thiselton