Three feature races head the nine race meeting at Turffontein Inside track tomorrow and possibly the most intriguing runner of the day will be Matador Man in the Gr 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes over 1450m.

The Toreador gelding relaxed beautifully in the running and then showed a fine turn of foot when winning the Listed Secretariat Stakes over 1400m in early December. He now faces some of the best three-year-olds in Gauteng but looks up to it. His high draw is not a real concern as he always starts slowly and can slot in behind the field.

Maleficent (Nkosi Hlophe)

The best weighted horse is the progressive Australian-bred More Than Ready filly Ektifaa and she will attempt to remain unbeaten for the season. Last time out in the Gr 2 Choice Carriers over 1400m at Kenilworth she beat the classy Sail at level weights by 0,75 lengths despite jumping from a high draw. This trip looks to be down her alley and she has a plum draw of three with regular pilot Callan Murray aboard. However, it might be trough giving 1,5kg to the unexposed Matador Man.

Chili Con Carne has come into his own since blinkers have been fitted and Piere Strydom has remained aboard after their good win together over 1400m last time. From a draw of two this classy and progressive gelding by Just As Well should be in the shake up.

Al Fahad finished a decent fifth in the Gr 1 Grand Parade Cape Guineas, when finding no extra after being right up there with 400m to go. He moved up well again last time over 1800m, before fading. On the evidence of those runs he will relish the step back down to 1450m and will be a dangerous runner.

Doosra won the Gr 2 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m and looked to be a long-striding sort who was heading places. However, he has to bounce back from a flat run last time when beaten five lengths by Chili Con Carne, although he is now 2kg better off. The dark horse is Maximizer, a big and impressive specimen who has won his last two starts, both over 1400m, in eyecatching style. The Querari colt is drawn in pole and can prove himself here. He has made breathing noises but no tongue tie is fitted, suggesting his breathing is not being affected.

In the Gr 3 Three Troikas over 1450m the classy Maleficent is hard to beat at the weights. However, a horse who might give some cheek over an ideal trip is Anna Pavlova, who has an impressively powerful set of hindquarters which generate superb acceleration. She is on the way up. Babbling Brooke looks to have been brought on magnificently by Ormond Ferraris for her classic campaign, but will likely find this too sharp. Al Hawraa is coming into her own and could be a threat having won well over thus sort of trip last time. Comme-Ci-Comme-Ca looks to be improving and could make a bid for a quartet position at likely long odds.

The Listed Wolf Power 1600 gives the lightly raced Australian-bred Redoute’s Choice colt Rafeef a chance to prove his considerable class. He has another tough draw, but should have learnt from his first start around the turn and can mow them down in the straight. Irish Pride is 1,5kg better off for a one length beating by Rafeef over 1400m and is well drawn again. He should be more forward and will likely be a big threat. Romany Prince will also be a threat, having quickened well to beat the useful Deo Juvente on correct handicap terms over 1800m last time. Bulleting Home is a strapping sort and the best has likely not been seen of him yet, so he could surprise. Champagne Haze can’t be ignored as a runner up in the Gauteng Guineas to Abashiri last year, but he carries topweight and is likely better over 1400m.

By David Thiselton