The Turffontein Standside course has an eight race meeting today and there are some fair sorts turning out who could help punters in their exotics.

In race 1, a maiden plate for three-year-olds over 1160m, Carol Master made a fair debut after finding a bit of betting support to shorten from 12/1 into 8/1 and with natural improvement should go close. Spanish Tune was not disgraced from a tricky draw around the turn over 1200m on debut and should improve. Jackman made a fair debut over course and distance and Gavin Lerena is an eyecatching booking. Muntu has improved with blinkers and has a shout. One Track was in season on debut and could improve. Plum British is a R225,000 purchase by Great Britain and makes most appeal of the first-timers.

In race 2, a maiden plate over 2000m, Thunder Applause pulled hard over 1800m last time but if allowed to go to the front this time could go close as he still stayed on quite well in the aforementioned event. Payne’s Grey ran a fair second last time over this trip from the identical draw and goes well for this jockey. Sergeant Pepper has improved with blinkers and should enjoy the long straight  of this course as he stays on well.

In race 3, a Graduation Plate over 1800m, Bankable Teddy is weighted to win comfortably and over this suitable trip with Lerena up she should do so as he proved last time out in a handicap over 2000m he is up to his merit rating. In The Cruise was disappointing in his last two starts but if reproducing his best over this suitable trip he could earn. Unagi was disappointing in a Gr 2 over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day but if he reproduces his previous run, when winning a handicap  over 1600m at The Vaal in facile fashion, he could be a threat from pole position. His merit rating is likely capped having been given a maximum of eight points for that easy win but he is officially 8kg under sufferance with Bankable Teddy. Blazing Winter is on the up and on the evidence of his last win over 1450m should enjoy the trip. Hypothermic and Let It Rain have a tough task at the weights with Bankable Teddy and are more exposed than the three-year-olds.

In race 4, a MR74 Handicap over 1800m, Odd Rob is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and is the one to beat. Boy Boy is knocking on the door over this sort of trip and has proven competitive off this merit rating. Baracah is off a merit rating close to 40 points lower than his highest mark and he proved last time he is now competitive again and he should also be suited to the course and distance as one who runs on from off the pace.

In race 5, a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, Gasoline has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has won over the course and distance, although the wide draw is a concern as he is a handy type. Nero has the blinkers off which might be a concern over this drop in trip but he is drawn in pole and has proven competitive off this merit rating. De Lujo is limited but is an honest sort and over a suitable course and

St John Gray

distance can earn from a plum draw. San Julian Bay has improved for this new yard and is not without a chance of following up on his maiden win over a suitable trip. Beza is under sufferance but finished fast over the inside 1450m course last time so could possibly earn here.

In race 6, a MR 87 Handicap over 1160m, William Nicol from the St John Gray yard has come into his own and could make it a hattrick. Thrust has been a bit disappointing lately but has class and is due a change of luck so could go close. Angel’s Power has been consistently close off this sort of merit rating over this sort of trip. Dennis The Menace can never be written off as one capable of producing a strong finish from off the pace. Zortziko is quick and is thus suited to this course and distance, although he is still six points higher than his last win despite his merit rating having dropped a couple of points from his last run.

In race 7, a MR 69 Handicap over 1160m, Ronin Warrior came back after being headed last time to win cosily, which suggested he had a bit in hand and off a 67 merit rating he could follow up on that maiden win. Pistolero ran on well to win last time and looks to be improving so could possibly handle a seven point raise. Aramouse is interesting over a drop in trip as one who has been handy before hanging in the latter stages over 1400m.

In race 8, a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, Speedy Gonvarlez is very quick so should enjoy the course and distance and she is better than her last run. Easy Game won her only start over course and distance and is only three points higher now in the merit ratings. Lumya proved her class over 1160m last time as well as her suitability to this course. Crown Of Roses has a big weight to lug but has earned it with her recent runs so should be thereabouts. Evening Breeze is better than her last effort when not striding out and if reproducing her penultimate run can go close. Tapaway can’t be ignored over a suitable course and distance.

David Thiselton