David Thiselton

The Turffontein Standside twilight meeting today is headed by the Listed Summer Pudding Handicap over 1600m and Andi’s Girl could be the one to beat.

The Mike and Adam Azzie-trained Fire Away filly looked hard to beat last time out in a MR 94 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1450m having finished close to Back In Business and Fiery Pegasus in respective starts over that trip. She looked to have been baulked for a run late in that race but running room appeared and she surged through to win by a length. It was an easier win than the bare form suggests, so she could go in again off a five point higher merit rating of 93. Lady Fallon is 1,5kg better off with Sukhumvit for a 2,25 length beating over 1800m, but she now has a plum draw and will appreciate the step down in trip, whereas the latter now has a wide draw. Donna Mo was tailed off last time after being backed, but was brushed at the start from a wide draw and was found to not be striding out. If bouncing back she has a chance as she is 1,5kg better off with Andi’s Girl for a one length beating. Sukhumvit has some class and has her third run after a layoff over a trip which when she last tried saw her beaten just 4,50 lengths by Barbaresco. Key Element ran a cracker last time out in the Gr 2 Betway Jo’Burg Spring Fillies And Mares Challenge and makes most appeal of the rest, although Soldier’s Eye could also be considered as she is better than her run in that same race.

The first leg of the Pick 6 Basingstoke is on the up and could claim a hat-trick off a five point higher mark with Lerena staying aboard over the same 1000m trip from a fair draw of five, although it’s never easy against the boys. Chieftain is 1,5kg better off with King Of Venus for a quarter-length beating on Tuesday over this course and distance. He also has a nice high draw while King Of Venus is drawn low. Kindred Heart ran a fine race last time over this trip behind two fair sorts but her low draw is a concern over this course and distance and she is up against the boys. Captain Efficient should be thereabouts from a nice high draw.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 Cosmic Star should be cherry ripe having his third run after a layoff and he is drawn on the right side with Lerena up. Halbardier has good form and has the best draw. Rollwiththepunches has plenty of speed which could enable him to overcome a low draw and he has reached a comfortable handicap mark, so can go close again. 

In the fifth race over 1160m Mia Moo is 4kg better off at the weights than any other horse according to official merit ratings so is the one to beat, although draw four out of eight makes it a little bit tricky. Kommietjie Storm won well second time out and could follow up considering she is a full sister to Kommetdieding, but she does have a low draw. Miss Scaletta has talent and is drawn on the right side over a trip on the sharp side, but she is running fresh after a layoff of close to six months. Bakwena can bounce back over a course and distance she should enjoy. Lady Soul is interesting from a high draw over a trip too sharp after a three month layoff.     ]

In the seventh race over 2000m Birthright is a scopey sort who should be coming into his own and he can get it right here over a step up in trip which should suit, although he has a tricky draw. Celtic Rush has been knocking on the door and should go close from a fair draw, although his 2,5kg claimer rides 2kg overweight. Strewn Sky has the form to be involved here.

In the last race over 1400m Palace Dancer looks promising and for an in form yard is drawn well with Lerena up over a suitable trip. Kissing Machine should be course and distance suited and is ultra consistent but does have a tough draw. Coffeeberry is drawn wide and this will be tougher than Zimbabwe where he had hard-knocking form. Greenhouse has run two good races but does have a wide draw. Coral Blaze could make his presence felt from pole position.

In the first leg of the Bipot over 1400m Exceedingly Glam has a lot in her favour.

In the first leg of the PA Chabal looks the one to beat after a fair debut and expected improvement.

RACE 1 

2 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM  5 GREAT NOTION 8 MIST IN IRELAND 1 MOCHA MACAROON

Preview: 2 EXCEEDINGLY GLAM is a form choice here from a good draw, having run two good races to date in three starts including one over this distance category. 5 GREAT NOTION was not disgraced last time behind a promising sort and could improve again. 8 MIST IN IRELAND made a good debut over 1160m, finishing just 2,25 lengths behind Exceedingly Glam, and she should relish the step up in trip. 1 MOCHA MACAROON has shown enough to be able to place. (David Thiselton 2-5-8-1)

RACE 2     

7 CHABAL 1 LETS PLAY POKER 2 SERRANO 3 BEYNAC

Preview: 7 CHABAL made a fair debut over this distance category and is now well drawn with Gavin Lerena up. 1 LETS PLAY POKER is consistently thereabouts and has placed second over this trip category before. 2 SERRANO is knocking on the door and is distance suited but has a wide draw to overcome. 3 BEYNAC was 0,30 lengths ahead of Chabal last time but the latter was making his debut and is open to greater improvement. (David Thiselton 7-1-2-3)

RACE 3     

6 BASINGSTOKE 1 CHIEFTAIN 2 KINDRED HEART 3 KING OF VENUS

Preview: 6 BASINGSTOKE is on the up and could claim a hattrick off a five point higher mark with Lerena staying aboard. 1 CHIEFTAIN ran on Monday but if taking his place is in good form and drawn on the right side. 2 KINDRED HEART ran a fine race last time over this trip behind two fair sorts but her low draw is a concern over this course and distance. 3 KING OF VENUS is in fine form and draw towards the right side but he does have a six point raise to overcome. (David Thiselton 6-1-2-3)

RACE 4     

1 COSMIC STAR 6 HALBERDIER 5 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES 3 AUSSENKEHR

Preview: 1 COSMIC STAR should be cherry ripe and is drawn on the right side. 6 HALBERDIER has good form and has the best draw, 5 ROLLWITHTHEPUNCHES has reached a comfortable handicap mark and can go close again if able to overcome a draw on the low side. 3 AUSSENKEHR is off form but has talent and is drawn in the middle. (David Thiselton 1-6-5-3)

RACE 5     

1 MIA MOO 7 KOMMETJIE STORM 3 MISS SCALETTA 8 BAKWENA

Preview: 1 MIA MOO is well treated at the weights and is the one to beat over what should be a suitable trip. 7 KOMMETJIE STORM won well second time out and could follow up considering she is a full sister to Kommetdie ding, but she does have a low draw. 3 MISS SCALETTA has talent and is drawn on the right side over a trip on the sharp side, but she is running fresh after a layoff of close to six months. 8 BAKWENA disappointed second time out but impressed on debut and could bounce back. (David Thiselton 1-7-3-8) 

RACE 6     

8 ANDI’S GIRL 6 LADY FALLON 5 DONNA MO 10 SUKHUMVIT

Preview: 8 ANDI’S GIRL duly converted quite cosily after her form-lines showed her to have her last race at her mercy and a five point raise might not be enough to stop her. 6 LADY FALLON has dropped to a competitive mark and is distance suited. 5 DONNA MO is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and should be thereabouts if bouncing back from her last start. 10 SUKHUMVIT is talented and comes off a good second in a Gr 3 handicap and she now has her third run after a layoff. (David Thiselton 8-6-5-10)  

RACE 7     

5 BIRTHRIGHT 8 CELTIC RUSH 1 STREWN SKY 9 PANNING GOLD

Preview: 5 BIRTHRIGHT is a scopey sort who should be coming into his own and he can get it right here over a step up in trip which should suit although he has a tricky draw. 8 CELTIC RUSH has been knocking on the door and should go close from a fair draw, although his 2,5kg claimer rides 2kg overweight. 1 STREWN SKY has the form to be involved here. 9 PANNING GOLD had some good maiden form and might be able to place here. (David Thiselton 5-8-1-9)

RACE 8     

8 PALACE DANCE 1 KISSING MACHINE 3 COFFEEBERRY 10 GREENHOUSE

Preview: 8 PALACE DANCE looks promising and is drawn well with Lerena up over a suitable trip. 1 KISSING MACHINE is always right there but does have a tough draw. 3 COFFEEBERRY is drawn wide and this will be tougher than Zimbabwe where he had hard-knocking form. 10 GREENHOUSE has run two good races but does have a wide draw. (David Thiselton 8-1-3-10)

RACE 1

(9) HAPHAZARD ran extremely well in the last start and will take some beating in this field. (1) HOUSE OF SUSSEX is holding consistent form and will be in the mix. (2) HAT MAN ran well in the last start and will be in frame. (6) VELVET VALOUR can get into the quartet so must be respected. (Devonne Govender 9-1-2-6)

RACE 2

(8) OPERA VERSE is holding consistent form and will be in the firing line in an open looking contest. (4) CAPE FLOWER is capable here, however she has been unreliable but on best form she can win. (3) SUMMER HEAT is making progress and has scope to go extremely well so must be respected. (7) MILLION REASONS wasn’t far in the last start and must go into quartet. (Devonne Govender 8-4-3-7)

RACE 3

(3) HOME REEF has never been far back and will make his presence felt in a big way. (1) ORANJEMUND ran well in the last start and can win this contest despite the wide draw. (7) PEARLY ASH made huge progress in the last start and can get closer. (12) TAKE YOUR TIME ran very well in the last start and needs to repeat that. ( Devonne Govender 3-1-7-12)

RACE 4

(12) SLAINTE MHATH is holding consistent form and will be a massive contender. His last run was excellent and he should go well here. (11) MILITARY MAN is never far back and will be in the frame. (7) PUERTO PLATA ran a cracker in the last start and will be a big challenger if repeating that run. (1) DOWNING SEVEN is very capable on his day and has never been far so must be respected here. ( Devonne Govender 12-11-7-1)

RACE 5

(4) PROJECT RUNWAY ran well in the last start a big odds, she will be a huge contender here from a reasonable draw which is key. (3) JADE’S CABERNEIGH is very capable on her day, she will go close with the inform Marco V’Rensburg aboard. (9) PUFF OF SMOKE is never far back and will make the frame so must be included. (1) HAVANA GREY wasn’t beaten far in the last start, she has the ace draw and can win. ( Devonne Govender 4-3-9-1)

RACE 6

(3) LUNA HALO is very smart, she should take some beating here and will be the banker of the day. (6) PASSCHENDAELE can produce a big finish on her day and will be the main danger. (1) BINGWA packs class and can win this on best form so must be respected. (2) BUSH TRACKER is a very honest type and another decent run is expected. ( Devonne Govender 3-6-1-2)

RACE 7

(5) RAIN BIRD is holding top form and rates a strong winning chance. (4) FLOWER FESTIVAL is another who is holding consistent form and will be in the firing line, she has the best draw and the form seems to be working out well. (1) KILMONIVAIG, is very capable on her day and cannot be ignored. (10) MILLIONDOLLAR GIRL is always there in the mix and cannot be left out, she is capable and can win this. ( Devonne Govender 5-4-1-10)

RACE 8

(9) CALL TO GLORY has been holding excellent form and will be a massive contender for top honours despite the wide draw. (2) STRANGE MAGIC is very capable on her day and won’t be far so has to go into everything. (7) KABON KAPI won a gutsy race over the shorter trip and won’t be far. (3) TREASURE HUNT is capable on best form so will be in the mix, include in quartets. (Devonne Govender 9-2-7-3)

RACE 9

(5) CRUZADOR is very speedy and will be dangerous if allowed to control the speed. (1) LEGAL THRILLER has a tough draw but was very gutsy in the last victory, there won’t be much to choose between him and the top choice. (15) ABSOLU NOIR is another who was in the mix with the first two selections so is expected to be involved again. (9) GUARDING THE WALL Has been running consistently and will be huge contender so will have to be included in everything. ( Devonne Govender 5-1-15-9)

Andrew Harrison

It takes faith in your ability to keep fighting when the odds are seemingly stacked against you, but Yadav Singh, with only three horses in his string reaped the rewards in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville yesterday as the cleverly named Chakpori obliged with Kabelo Matsunyane taking over in the saddle from a suspended Cole Dicken.

The Greyville poly is running quick these days and with a strong tailwind to help them home, Matsunyane always had Chakpori in contention as Head Girl took up her customary roll. The two came together a long way out with Chakpori gradually eating into Head Girl’s lead and getting up close home.

Hot favourite Princess Goldie did not appear to be enjoying the afternoon and Craig Zackey commented later in the day that the filly just didn’t come to the races. He was at her from the jump and eventually had ‘to take my medicine’.  “She shows good work on the sand back home so this was a disappointing effort,” he said. “She will be back!”

With everything in her favour, barring top weight, War Empress enjoyed the wind at her back and Louis Goosen’s mare won well in a small field. She was always handy under Chase Maujean and kicked on nicely in the run for home to win rather comfortably from Happy Analia and Jane’s Vision.

The scratching of Star Of The Future from the first leg of the Pick 6 saw Gimmethegoodlife top the bookmakers boards and he landed the odds for Gareth van Zyl although it was a close call as Richardthefearless lived up to his name and was not giving in as he pressed Gimmethegoodlife all the way to the line. It was Gimmethegoodlife’s first attempt at a mile and he took Marco van Rensburg on from the start, refusing to settle, so it was a win full of merit.

Every horse has its peculiarities and Lucretius seemingly inherited his ornery temperament from his sire Eightfold Path whose progeny were notorious difficult. Carl Hewitson has done wonders with the gelding who, at one stage had him wondering if he could win a maiden. At times he just refuses to work in the mornings but he was in a galloping mood yesterday as Zackey, his now regular rider, got him to respond up the inside rail to gradually wear down rivals Porfirio and Wave Warrior with favourite Mr Hotstepper making the pace before emptying out in the straight.

Zackey is a little under the radar when it comes to the national title chase but he is hot on the heels of log leaders Muzi Yeni and Gavin Lerena. Princess Goldie was an obvious disappointment but he had two in the bag by the running of the sixth to take his tally for the season to 61 behind Yeni, six behind Lerena and four ahead of Richard Fourie. He posted his second win of the afternoon as he scraped home aboard Garth Puller’s charge Way To Burn  in the fifth, with the judges having to consult the photo finish to separate his filly and Mark Dixon’s Doctor’s Orders. Zackey made all the running on Way To Burn and punched for home crossing the subway and seemingly having the race the won. However, Calvin Habib had all the while been hunting him down. Making up ground from last coming up the hill, Doctor’s Orders delivered the slow poison up the outside and it was a piece of paper that separated the two at the line.

A frustrated Habib has made the second box his home so far this season, with 51 seconds to add to his winning tally of 26.

Dennis Bosch, an exceptional rider in his day before the dreaded scale got the better of him, does not have the fire power that he used to have when starting his training career but there are few better. He has kept Knight Warrior sound and competitive in all of his racing career that now stretches into his seventh season. 

Serino Moodley had the veteran galloper out and racing from his inside draw and was not for the catching. It was a smart ride from Moodley who was in jocular mood post-race. “The way the track’s running you have to ride like you don’t know what you doing. That’s what I did. I rode like an apprentice,” he quipped.

It’s never easy for a horse to win three-on-the-bounce let alone four as the handicappers come a-hunting but gelding appears to have kept Connery’s mind from wandering and it was four up yesterday. Glen Kotzen’s charge made all the running and was not for the catching under Mauritian apprentice Nirvan Nastili. Kotzen’s assistant at Summerveld, John Buckler, has turned to apprentices in his three local runs with a suspended 4kg claimer Jaycee Botes being replaced by Nastili’s 2.5kg claim that could be a ploy to keep the handicappers in check but Connery has jumped 13 points in the ratings for his last two wins and is sure to get another hike after this success.

Stevie Gee finally got Habib out of the second box as the Geof Perkins home-bred, named after one of his sons, pulled out all the stops. For Wendy Whitehead it was a deserved win after a string of placed starts as he kicked on strongly to put daylight between himself and the late-charging Mac Hardy who just got his nose in front of the chasing scrum.

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