David Thiselton
Turffontein Inside stages a nine race meeting today and it is clear that three-and-half weeks into spring a better class of horse is being reintroduced.
The highest rated race on the card is a MR 104 handicap over 1600m and Matterhorn is an interesting runner here. This Marchfield gelding gave the star filly She’s A Keeper 4kg and lost by just 0,90 lengths in the Grade 2 WSB 1900 but due to the conditions of the race he could not be raised so he is potentially well handicapped at present off a 101. He was good enough to be given a berth in the Vodacom Durban July and although this race will be on the sharp side he is well drawn, travels in a nice relaxed way in his races and has a good turn of foot so he could go close here running fresh. Ndlamu loves this course and distance and should also be involved in the finish, although he does have a tricky draw of six out of ten considering he is a handy type. Dr Doolittle has a fine record in handicaps with three wins and two seconds in five starts and his last win over 1800m was with 62kg on his back. He carries 62kg again here off a four point higher mark and has a tricky draw considering his handy style and the trip will be sharper than ideal too. However, his class might be telling and the Paul Peter yard are out in front in the championship so he is hard to ignore. Stablemate Green Haze is usually thereabouts but on jockey bookings looks to be the second choice. Full Mast has won once and finished second twice in five starts over this course and distance and showed a form return in his last two starts so he is a player from a plum draw with Khumalo up. Stone Cold is back to his winning mark and has snuck into the handicap with the minimum weight so is also a runner in this open contest. Kingsley’s Heart is better than his last run but has a tough draw. Leopold is capable over this trip but has a tough draw. Marchingontogether is off form but represents a new yard, although the trip will be on the sharp side. Alibi Guy won is first three starts but a one year layoff followed and he now returns from another one year layoff.
A MR 94 handicap over 1200m is also full of interest and Grappler makes appeal having his third run after a layoff over a step up in trip he will relish. He has always struck as one who would come into his own with age so could have a good season. The talented Super Excited finished strongly last time to win over this course and distance and can overcome a six point raise but he does have a tougher draw this time. Topweight Captain Hindsight is in with a shout from a plum draw of two over a suitable trip. Three-year-old Prince Of Fire is unbeaten in two starts and although officially 1kg under sufferance he looks progressive so would not be a surprise winner from pole position. Sea Virescent is well regarded and has plenty of scope so is another who would not be a surprising winner and his number six draw should not be too much of a problem as he is capable of a strong finish. The form of his last win is not the greatest but he might have needed that run slightly. Bowie’s last win was over 1160m and this consistent sort can earn again although as a handy sort a wide draw makes it tough.
