David Thiselton
TURFFONTEIN INSIDE stages a nine race meeting today and there is some good class racing to look forward to.
A MR 104 Handicap over 1450m is the highest rated race on the card and forms the last leg of the Pick 6.
The classy Riverstown has two wins and two seconds in five starts over this course and distance and he showed himself to be in fine fettle a month ago when winning over the too sharp 1160m. He was well weighted in that race but beat a promising sort in Full Velocity with ease and the latter followed up with her fourth win in seven starts. Riverstown is drawn wide but is capable of running on and has Gavin Lerena up so has a shout despite having to carry 61kg. Full Mast has won over this course and distance before and is drawn in pole. He showed signs of a form return last time over 1600m and is just as effective over this trip so has a shout off a merit rating which has dropped another two points to 98, two points lower than his last winning mark. Trend Master has come into his own lately albeit over middle distances. However, as a horse who is on the up he is interesting stepped down to a trip he was effective over in the past and he has a fair draw. Cornish Pomodoro will also find this too sharp but his best run was when returning from a four month layoff over 1600m in October last year so he could have benefited from another four month layoff here. Approach Control has a win and a second in two starts over this course and distance and is off a competitive mark but does have to overcome the widest draw of all, although he does have Warren Kennedy aboard and the latter is way out in front in the early season national jockeys log. Captain And Master has class but has been disappointing in his career and his last three runs have been poor. He is distance suited and a three month layoff might have been of benefit. Seven Patriots has front-running capabilities so in the current fast conditions is hard to ignore, although he would prefer further. Snow Palace was Grade 1-placed as a juvenile but has not won since December 2019, but she has dropped to a competitive mark now and comes off a third place finish over 1400m, although that was in a Progress Plate where she was well weighted. They are selected in the order mentioned although going wide in the exotics is the suggestion.
The second race is an intriguing Graduation Plate over 1200m as there are three promising sprinters lining up and some useful horses who need further. Ultra Quick was a shock loser last time after an impressive maiden win and Gavin Lerena is now aboard the equally promising stablemate Tuscan Winter, who only just failed from a tough low draw over 1160m on the Standside last time. He is drawn five around the turn here compared to Ultra Quick’s six and they will have to fend off the speedy younger horse Super Excited, who was touched off by the progressive Super Agra last time and now has a plum draw of two. Leopold is 5kg better off than any other horse in this race according to official merit ratings and although suited to further he won his maiden over this course and distance so is interesting from pole position. Eagle Alley, bred to stay, is promising and returns from a wind operation.
The seventh is also an interesting race over 1200m and the scopey Big Eyed Girl is taken to beat the progressive Warship and the promising Paityn’s Pride.
In the eighth over 1450m topweight Captain’s Pride is interesting having always been well regarded and having proved last time he stays this trip. He is only two points higher but it is a competitive race.
In the fifth over 1450m Wave Warrior looks to have potential and scope for further improvement so from a good draw is taken to beat Successful Ruler and the well bred Slings and Arrows.
In the third over 1200m Meteoric can make amends for her loss on objection last time although About To Storm looks to have ability and should improve on his debut in which he ran on well after a slow start.
