David Thiselton
The highest rated race at Turffontein Inside on Thursday is a MR94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and it could go to the progressive Joe Soma-trained Lost For Words.
The Canford Cliffs four-year-old filly can be made a banker despite having to jump from a tough barrier position of ten out of ten. Mickaelle Michel’s 1.5kg gender claim alleviates the maximum eight point raise she was given for her impressive last win and the lightly raced filly, who has won three out of six starts, now has her third run after a six month layoff. She can be dropped out from the draw and one can picture her mowing them down late with her big action. The Tony Peter-trained Hathighwaytothesky will make a bold bid from pole position as she is a small, nippy sort who should enjoy this tight track and she is capable of a late kick. Crystal Grove has the ability to contest the finish in this race from a plum draw of two with champion apprentice elect Blaine Marx-Jacobson aboard.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1600m Jimmy Vega ran on well from the back last time over 1400m after being dropped out from a tricky draw and can do the same here. On pedigree, being by Malmoos out of a Dynasty mare, he will relish the step up in trip. The Midnight Show ran well third time out when stepped up to this trip with first time blinkers on but he had a good draw of two then which allowed him to sit behind the vanguard on the rail but he now has to overcome draw eight out of nine. Kovil is by Malmoos out of a Giant’s Causeway mare so will relish the step up in trip. Having done better when stepped up to 1400m last time he could run on after being dropped out from a wide draw.
In the second leg over 1600m Pearl In Her Crown is a nice type and this consistent Soqrat filly has a fine chance from a plum draw over a suitable trip with Muzi Yeni up. There is not much between her and Delaware River on 1400m form, but the latter has a tricky draw to contend with. Kortvandraad has pole position with Gavin Lerena up and she will make a bold bid from pole position over an ideal trip with Gavin Lerena up. Pretty Analia is capable of a strong finish from off the pace, but she needs things to pan out well and she will have to dropped out from a wide draw. Eight Hats should not be far off Pearl In Her Crown and Delaware River on form.
In the fifth race over 1600m Kensal Green is on the up and from a fair draw of four can follow up on her impressive last win, despite being six points higher in the merit ratings. Onetwobucklemyshoe has ability and will have come on from her last run, which followed an eight month layoff. Juliet Tango will enjoy this trip and can make a bold bid from a good draw.
In the sixth race over 2600m Chabal is in good form at present and over a suitable trip with Mickaelle Michel up he should go close. Euphrates could be the one to beat from a fair draw as he has won over 2400m before and has consistent staying form. Gavin Lerena up is a bonus. Full Go has third-time cheekpieces on and could be in the shake up over a trip which should suit as he looks to be capable of better than his last two runs although he does have a tricky draw.
In the last over 1200m Winter In Auckland made a good Highveld debut over 1160m, winning comfortably, and from a plum draw can follow up despite a seven point raise. Brigitte Ann can go close off a 76 merit rating from pole position as she won by 6,50 lengths last time over course and distance from draw seven under Keagan de Melo and now has Gavin Lerena up from pole position. Plumbago Park has the ability to be involved here despite a wide draw.
In the second race over 1600m Up And Up ran a good second to the highly proming Moana last time and she could outgun this opposition if able to overcome a tricky draw of six out of seven.
In the first race over 1200m the first-timer Jack’s Legacy is a half-brother to the four-time winner Warrior Of Royalty and should make a bold bid under Phenisile Mpngqawa, although it will be tough from a wide draw. Irish Wilma is drawn in pole and should be right there.
