RACE 1

Great start to the race meeting with some smashing youngsters taking on each other. Well-bred GIMME SOME LUCK can’t be faulted having won well over 1000m and 1160m straight after. The form lines are proving strong and he could be hard to peg back again. But he meets FIERCENESS who won as he liked on debut. He too is well bred, should appreciate the step up in trip and has much more to come. CATFISH impressed against his elders last time. He has a second go over the longer distance and can get closer but is carded to run earlier.

RACE 2

PERFECT SKY did what was required to win her second start and first at this track before a smart effort in the Devon Air Stakes at Hollywoodbets Greyville. The youngster tired late after showing good pace then and should prefer being back over the straight sprint. STAGGERWING looks a big threat. She is consistent and after winning her last start easily looks to be getting better with racing. ELUSIVE DRAGON needs to find more to win but has a say at the weights. TAX FREE made no show on the Polytrack but he penultimate run on the turf was decent.

RACE 3

There are first-timers in the race and as always keep an eye on betting movements. Lightly raced four-year-old RENDEVOUS IN RIO has decent form and is overdue to win. She ran a fair race in her first run after a long layoff and could get the job done for a stable in good form. FALLODON has been getting better with each start. She could give of her very best in her outing and go close. HOC EST VITA didn’t run to form last time. Her penultimate effort entitles her to serious respect in this line up. One to watch out for is well-related NEW YORK GROOVE who can only improve.

RACE 4

More newcomers to watch out for including CHANCELLOR from the yard of Tony Peter, OCTOBER REEF, a Rafeef/Trippi cross and Vercingetorix colt RISING EAGLE from the powerful Mike and Mathew de Kock yard. HIGHWAYMAN HARRY met a decent two-year-old youngster last time, the form has been franked, and he must be in with a winning chance. A 1.5kg claim should boost his chances. Many with earning potential. TIGER’S CAPTAIN is back from a rest but should be right there. GIVE ME A CHANCE ran a decent race last time finishing just ahead of BERRY LANCER and ECHOES OF WAR.

RACE 5

HOTARUBI edged out BELLEROPHON in a recent course-and-distance meeting but the latter is weighted to avenge that defeat on 2kg better terms. BATTLEGROUND and DAMOVA are hard-knocking stayers with the form and experience to be competitive off their current marks. ONE MORE STAR, CORRUPT and CHABAL have good recent form over the distance so could make their presence felt too. Maturing SAMUEL SHARPE also warrants respect under a light weight.

RACE 6

TROMBOLINES and WINSTON’S WONDER are better than their recent comeback efforts suggest – both will strip fitter and should be competitive. They are closely matched on the form of a 1600m meeting earlier this year but the latter (2kg better off) could have the edge on these revised weight terms. Last-start winners ONETWOBUCKLEMYSHOE and ONE OF THOSE DAYS are open to improvement after respective absences so are best kept safe. QUEVANO, TRACKSUIT DAVE and ELUSIVE RED can get into the picture too.

RACE 7

PRECOCIOUS lost little in defeat when beaten on the Highveld for the first time in 5 starts since relocating from Cape Town. She returns fresh after 13-weeks, racing off a 2-point higher mark but remains open to improvement, so it could pay to follow her progress. KOMATI RIVER is capable on her day but is inconsistent, while A BIT OF CLASS and UNITED OFFER could get involved if bouncing back to earlier form. Versatile VALENTINA BALDUCCI has feature-race form so warrants respect on her reappearance after a lengthy layoff. Course-and-distance specialists BLIZZARD SNOW and LOST FOR WORDS aren’t ignored.

RACE 8

COLD SHINE has won both Highveld appearances, the latest at this level over a track and trip under a 3-point penalty. His rider’s 2.5kg allowance negates another 3-point rise so, with any improvement in his peak outing, he should complete his hat-trick and remain unbeaten in the province. Promising 2yo DADS DREAM will enjoy being back in a sprint but carries 60kg against older hard-knocking rivals. Consistent MAVERICK QUEEN would have tightened up after a pleasing comeback run and could improve to pose the biggest threat, especially off a reduced mark. SAKURA HANAMI and NKANDLA GOLD can earn too.

RACE 9

POINTER has held her own at a higher level and made an encouraging return to form last time off her current (career-low) rating in a stronger race over 1200m, and a similar performance could suffice at this level and end a long winless spell. Last-start scorers SHE’S ALL MINE, CRYSTAL GROVE and KIA KAHA remain competitive under resultant penalties and could trouble the selection. MALSHANA MOU will enjoy reverting to sprints after a game-in-defeat 2nd from the front over 1450m last time, so she isn’t taken lightly either. QUIET WINTER and ADA LOVELACE are others with earning potential.