Turffontein Inside track stages a nine race meeting on Saturday and there might be one or two opportunities for punters.
The highest rated race on the card is the fourth, a MR 86 handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m. Parisienne Chic was staying on well over 1800m last time for a good third and now has Piere Strydom up from a plum draw. She is the one to beat although the least exposed horse in the race is the lightly raced Cold Cash, who won easily over 1800m at the end of April. She looks full of promise, but does have a wide draw to overcome which will be particularly tough due to her handy to front-running style. Tambalang has fine form on the Highveld against good sorts, but her only start since the Cape Summer has been on the Greyville poly over this trip. If she is at her best she will be right there. She is unproven over this trip, but being by Go Deputy she should stay and the progeny of that sire also come into their own when they are roundabout Tambalang’s age now.
Piere Strydom (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the eighth race, a MR 84 fillies and mares handicap over 1600m, Emily Jay should relish the step down in trip having been a bit keen in second time blinkers over 1800m last time yet still staying on quite well. She is a nice looking type and has a sizeable stride. In her last attempt at this trip she was not beaten far (5,4 lengths) by the useful Bi-Pot. Alexa is course and distance suited and should also be thereabouts, although she has a tough draw.
In the sixth race, a fillies and mares MR 68 Handicap over 1000m, Burgundy Rose makes appeal from a plum draw of two. In her penultimate start she beat the speedy Gratuity over this trip and before that was not disgraced against the up and coming Effortless Reward. Last time off a six point higher merit rating than her last win she was a touch disappointing, finishing fifth. However, her turn of foot should be more effective off the slower pace she could get around the turn here and from her good draw she should be in a position to pounce coming off the elbow. Madam Secretary has her first run out of the maidens off a merit rating of 70. She is well drawn and has caught the eye on occasion. She should be finishing strongly and will be a threat. Lakahal is a capable sort who was only 0,55 lengths behind Burgundy Rose when they last met over this trip at the Vaal and she has a fair draw here.
The going is will likely be fast and horses with daisy cutting actions are the one who usually enjoy this ground so it would be worth picking those ones out in the canter pasts.
By David Thiselton
