RACE 1 

4 ST HARRY   12 CHAMPAGNE CASTLE   1 MARSEILLES   7 QUERARI DANCER 

Summary: ST HARRY (4) made an eye-catching debut. Well supported in the market, he came from a long way back to snatch victory. He can build on that experience. Justin Snaith has a strong hand with three runners headed by CHAMPAGNE CASTLE (12) who has taken on males at her last two and won convincingly. She should be involved in the finish. Stable companion MARSEILLES (1) found strong market support at just his second start and landed the odds comfortably and should come on from that effort. QUERARI DANCER (7) beat Marseilles on debut. She has not been out since November last year but the form has held up well. (Andrew Harrison: 4-12-1-7). 

RACE 2 

2 WORLD FIRST   1 NOTE TO SELF   6 FAST AND FREE   10 WEHAVEASITUATION 

Summary: WORLD FIRST (2) has improved as he has stepped up in trip. He was a narrow winner first time out of the maidens and got a four-point raise in the handicap but he is lightly raced and still improving. NOTE TO SELF (1) has not been out of the money and close-up in all four starts. This trip should suit. FAST AND FREE (6) found strong market support last run but may have found the trip too far. The form of his maiden win over course and distance has held up.WEHAVEASITUATION (10) has come good of late and seldom runs a bad race. (Andrew Harrison: 2-1-6-10). 

RACE 3 

8 HOLDING THUMBS   2 MAGIC VERSE   1 ZATARA MAGIC  4 AHEAD OF THE FACTS 

Summary: HOLDING THUMBS (8) is a top class stayer and won his last start a lot more comfortably than the margin suggests. Weight does not bother him as he showed two runs back when fighting off the lightly weighted AHEAD OF THE FACTS (4) giving him 11kg. Holding Thumbs has since beaten him again and meets on much more favourable weight terms. ZATARA MAGIC (1) has excellent Fairview form and is a solid galloper. He does jump in trip. MAGIC VERSE (2) was under a length back to Holding Thumbs last time out but the latter had the race won a long way out. (Andrew Harrison: 8-2-1-4). 

RACE 4 

1 INFLUENCE    6 MIRACULOUS   18 MAURITIAN KESTREL   9 KELP FOREST 

Summary: Wide open handicap to start the Pick 6. INFLUENCE (1) started at long odds in a winning debut. He must surely come on with the experience and could follow up. The form behind KELP FOREST (9) will be closely scrutinized with many of this field finishing behind him. Kelp Forest won at long odds and second-placed MIRACULOUS (6) was also friendless in the market but did have some fair form prior to that. Third-placed MAURITIUS KESTREL (18) was less than a length back and now gets the benefit of a 4kg claimer. However, he may be drawn on the ‘wrong’ side of the straight as current trends point to fields bunching on the inside rail but he does have Andrew Fortune on CLAIR DE LUNE (19) drawn on his inside so will have one to follow. WHIRLWIND (14) is a lightly raced filly who was narrowly beaten in her handicap debut but does take on males. (Andrew Harrison: 1- 6-18-9). 

RACE 5 

1 THE US OF A   14 ALL THE RAGE   10 TEFLON MAN   2 HIS MAJESTY 

Summary: THE US OF A (1) is seldom out of the money and has started favourite in his last five races. He carried a big weight with cheek pieces last run. They have been removed and he has a handy galloping weight. ALL THE RAGE (14) is drawn on the other side of the course that may not be ideal. However, he has a handy weight, yet to finish out of the money and won well last time out. HIS MAJESTY (2) has had two promising local outings over further since his arrival from the UK where he was mostly sprinting. The blinkers go on and he may be worth following in the market. TEFLON MAN (10) has been coming to hand slowly and looks primed for this after a smart effort behind stable companion Outlaw King in the Merchants. (Andrew Harrison: 1-14-10-2). 

 

RACE 6 

14 GREAT PLAINS   6 POWERANDTHEGLORY   3 O’TENIKWA   2 RAVEN BLACK 

Summary: GREAT PLAINS (14) has the widest draw to contend with but made a cracking comeback over course and distance after a lengthy rest beating Sail The Seas who was touched off in the recent L’Omarins King’s Plate. He has a big weight but a repeat will see him close. Stable companion POWERANDTHEGLORY (6) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. He jumps in class but only has 51kg to shoulder and he gets first-time blinkers. O’TENIKWA (3) has shown up well in two sprints since his return to the Cape. The step up in trip from a plum draw can see him into the firing line. RAVEN BLACK (2) steps up in trip but has solid recent sprint form and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he could be a big threat. (Andrew Harrison: 14-6-3-2). 

RACE 7 

10 DOUBLE GRAND SLAM   12 QUICKSTEPGAL   9 ASIYE PHAMBILI   2 MON PETIT CHERIE 

Summary: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (10 )will be out to make amends for her defeat in the Gr1 Paddock Stakes when beaten into fourth behind Wish List. It was the mare’s first run back after a break and lacked her usually finishing burst. It was also a scorching hot afternoon and visiting rider Oisin Murphy was certainly feeling the heat. Going on jockey bookings, Richard Fourie would have had the pick of the James Crawford fillies and has plumbed for MON PETIT CHERIE (2), the higher rated of the two, ahead of stable companion REET PETITE (2) who finished second to Wish List in the Paddock Stakes and second to QUICKSTEPGAL (12) in the Cape Fillies Guineas. Fourie is contracted to owners Ridgemont but so is Gareth Wright who generally rides second string. Quickstepgal who followed up with a cracking run in the Gr 2 Sceptre Stakes, only caught in the dying strides. She is back over a mile and does have a deep draw to overcome. However, she has good gate speed and the services of former Champion Jockey Keagan de Melo. Asiye Phambili is in good form and as game as they come. The mile trip holds no fears and she will be competitive. (Andrew Harrison: 10-12-9-2). 

RACE 8 

10 SEE IT AGAIN   2 EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN   4 GLADATORIAN   6 THE REAL PRINCE 

Summary: SEE IT AGAIN (10) has run two cracking races for his new stable and was a touch unlucky in both not to have finished closer. He appears to have taken a renewed interest in racing and with some luck in running rates a strong chance. Richard Fourie is back aboard last year’s met winner EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (2). He was having his first run back in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate after a lengthy break and looked in need of the run. He should strip at his peak. GLADATORIAN (4) was doing his best work late in the King’s Plate. If intended pacemaker OKAVANGO (11) set a solid gallop, Gladatorian could mow them all down as he has a smart turn of foot. THE REAL PRINCE (6) got up late to win the King’s Plate over a trip short of his best. He will be at his peak and will have plenty of supporters. (Andrew Harrison: 10-2-4-6). 

RACE 9 

7 TOUCHED BY ANGELS   1 PAY THE PALACE   2 HAPPY VERSE   3 BETTER MAN 

Summary: TOUCHED BY ANGELS (7) is highly regarded by the stable and has yet to finish out of the money. He does take a big step up in trip but he should see it out comfortably. HAPPY VERSE (2) has won three of his six starts and was runner up to Jan van Goyen in the Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas. He too should have no troubles seeing out the extra furlong. BETTER MAN (3) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out from a wide draw and is a must inclusion in all calculations. PAY THE PALACE (1) was unplaced in the Guineas but was ahead of Happy Verse prior to that. He will definitely enjoy the step up to this trip. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-2-3). 

RACE 10 

2 PRINCESS OF GAUL   9 WANDER DUNE   11 MAI SENSATION   13 DISTING 

Summary: PRINCESS OF GAUL (2) has smart form over the trip and although she carries top weight against a myriad of low weights she is the class in the race. WANDER DUNE (9) was a beaten favourite last run when sent over further. She has only had two three starts and two smart efforts over the course and distance. MAI SENSATION (11) would appear to be the pick of the Lucinda Woodruff pair given JP van der Merwe’s choice of rides. She has a big weight but has been taking on stronger at recent outings while CALL ME SECRET (1) steps up in class but got a hefty 14 pound shunt up the handicap for her seventh place behind Quickstepgal in the Fillies Guineas. DISTING (13) has not been far back at recent outings and with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she cannot be ignored. (Andrew Harrison: 2-9-11-13). 

RACE 11 

7 SWIATEK    1 QUEEN REGENT   3 GIVE ME EVERYTHING   8 LITTLE SUZIE 

Summary: SWIATEK (7) has only twice been out of the money in a dozen starts. She was a beaten favourite when third in a feature over 1800m last time out but is down in class and should stay the extra. QUEEN REGENT (1) also steps up in trip after being touched off over a mile last time out. She boasts solid sprint form but indications are that she will stay the trip and only has 50kg to shoulder. GIVE ME EVERYTHING (3) was just over two lengths back in the Paddock Stakes and should be primed for this event. LITTLE SUZIE (8) has lost her way a little since KZN’s Champions Season and could surprise if finding her best form. (Andrew Harrison: 7-1-3-8). 

RACE 12 

11 SMARTEN UP   2 FOUDRE   4 UNITED FRONT   13 ROCKANROLLIN 

Summary: A highly competitive handicap to end the day. SMARTEN UP (11) enjoyed the step up in trip last time out and can go one better although he only meets FOUDRE (2) on 0.5kg better terms. UNITED FRONT (4) was beaten four lengths by Foudre and Smarten Up but gets first time blinkers which suggests that there is more to come as he has only had six starts. ROCKANROLLIN (13) got his first win in a handicap maiden sprint but is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. He does have a deep draw to contend with. (Andrew Harrison: 11-2-4-13).