Turffontein Standside stages an eight race meeting on Tuesday night and not surprisingly some good horses have been attracted on the eve of the Highveld Autumn Season.

The headliner is a Conditions Plate over 1400m and it is worth visiting the track for this race alone as it sees an intriguing clash between New Predator and Kangaroo Jack. On paper there is not much between them. Kangaroo Jack won easing up the last time they met over 1450m in October and at level weights was 2,2 lengths ahead of New Predator at the line. However, New Predator is now 6kg better off which brings them together on paper. New Predator was also making his seasonal reappearance in that race and likely needed it. Furthermore, he had a wide draw and after being dropped out he had too much to do. This is his first run since returning from Cape Town and he might also need it as it is likely a pipe opener for the Autumn season.

New Predator (Nkosi Hlophe)

However, importantly, he is well drawn this time so should be closer turning for home. He is classy and 1400m running fresh will be right down his alley, so he is tipped to win. However, there is unlikely to be much in it. Kangaroo Jack will likely be more forward and has never looked in danger of defeat in his last two starts over this sort of distance. He doesn’t have a bad draw of six. On paper Forest Fox also has a shout, being 1,5kg better off with Kangaroo Jack for a 0,5 length beating over course and distance.

However, Kangaroo Jack won that race hands and heels and was being eased at the line. Forest Fox was once a frustrating sort, who would get out it at the slightest opportunity, but he has become consistent lately and is beginning to fulfil his potential. Will Pays is only 0,5kg better off for a two length beating by Kangaroo Jack over 1450m in October. He has gone off the boil in his last two starts too, so will need to bounce back. Bulleting Home is a strapping sort, who is likely at his best over 1400m. He will also relish the long straight here, although he has a tricky draw of seven.

In race three, a Conditions Plate over 1000m, Green Pepper could take another step towards proving herself a likely successor to the current best female sprinter in the land, Carry On Alice. She is officially only third best in the weights here running off a merit rating of 106, but looks to have plenty more to come. She beat her chief danger here, Joan Ranger, by 3,75 lengths back in November over course and distance when receiving 7,5kg. They now face each other at level weights and, considering weight for age allowances per month, this puts them just about together.

Furthermore, Joan Ranger was a touch unlucky that day as she didn’t get her usual good start. Joan Ranger has speed and a good kick at the end so is going to be a tough nut to crack, especially as the Lucky Houdalakis yard is in such fine form. However, the verdict goes to the exciting prospect Green Pepper, albeit only just. Old Em is officially the best in at the weights, but has to bounce back from a 17 length beating by Green Pepper over 1160m on Summer Cup day, where she was found to be not striding out.

A Pinnacle Stakes staying race over 2450m will also be a highlight. These races often throw up results which make a mockery of the merit ratings. The best weighted horse here, Cool Chardonnay, looks likely to need the run, although no Weiho Marwing-trained horse can ever be completely discounted in a staying event. Go Direct is the up-and-coming stand out of the race and is tipped to win, being a son of Go Deputy whose progeny come into their own as four-year-olds and who have stamina aplenty.

Consistent stayer Storm Warning goes very well for Piere Strydom and is the second best in at the weights, so looks the chief danger. Officially he is 1,5kg well in with Go Direct. Odd Rob is an interesting contender, despite officially being 6,5kg under sufferance with Cool Chardonnay. He over raced with blinkers on in his penultimate start over 3200m and otherwise could have gone close. The blinkers are now off. The Elmo Effect is also out at the weights, but is consistent over this trip. Kingmambo’s Legacy is a runner from pole over a suitable trip. He is 1,5kg better off with Go Direct for a 1,4 length beating over 2000m. Deputy Jud is not the most reliable and could be in it if things go his way, but he does have a wide draw to overcome.

By David Thiselton