Tomorrow’s feature meeting at Turffontein Standside will see Mr Flood attempting to take one step closer to proving himself the best sprinter in the country when he runs in the Grade 2 Senor Santa Stakes and there are five other features races to look forward to.

Mr Flood was not too bothered by a potentially disadvantageous low draw of three when winning the Tommy Hotspur cosily over 1000m at this track last time so he should be able to overcome a low draw of two here. He has plenty of pace and then always seems to find more gears when challenged in the final stages. He is now attempting to make it six wins on the trot. Mardi Gras (1) always struck as one who would develop into a top class sprinter and he proved last time that he has blossomed. His draw of five is also on the low and he has to give weight to the field, including 2kg to Mr Flood, so it is not going to be easy but his class should pull him through. Warrior’s Rest is an admirable sort who always gallops all the way to the line and from a nice high draw he should be staying in when others are starting to tire. Basadi Faith is an interesting runner who is potentially top class. She is blessed with a lot of speed and should enjoy this fast course. She failed in her only previous attempt at this course and distance in the SA Fillies Nursery but that was as due to her bleeding. Rebel’s Champ makes the most appeal of the rest on lines through Mr Flood and he can get closer to Basadi Faith over this trip as she went like the clappers from  the off over 1000m on the Inside track last time and those coming from off the pace were left to far out of their ground. 

In the Listed Derby Trial Master Supreme is weighted a racing certainty as he runs off his old 85 merit rating due to the weights for this race having been published five days before his run in the SA Classic. His new rating is 100 so he is effectively carrying 7,5kg less than he should be and he is also well draw over this ideal trip. Cornish Pomodoro has plenty of scope for improvement and should enjoy this trip but he does have topweight and a tough draw to overcome. Our Man In Havana is 2kg better off with Master Supreme for a 3,75 length beating and this rangy sort looks capable of better Nebraas could represent value as he looks to be progressive and on the evidence of his last win over 1800m should enjoy this trip. Furthermore, he is drawn in pole. Set The Standard was unlucky the last time he tried this trip and could earn.

In the Listed Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial Wild Date stayed on well to win over 1600m last time and on pedigree should enjoy this trip. Smoking Hot rallied in the closing stages of her maiden over this trip to win going away and from a good draw with a low weight she should be involved. Pomander has won both of her starts over this course and is well drawn but does have to carry topweight. Tartan Dancer is the other topweight and being by Ideal World should enjoy the step up in trip. Machali can also improve over this trip.

In the Listed Bauhinia Handicap Pool Party has a plum standside draw and has a good opportunity considering Dancing Queen is drawn low. Singforafa runs well fresh and is a contender too.

In the Gold Rush Sprint Vaseem has a fine chance coming off his third place in the CTS 1200.

In the Sun Chariot Handicap Factor Fifty is progressive and can beat Flichity By Farr and Sebille Orange. 

By David Thiselton

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