David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE hosts an eight race meeting today and punters can have a profitable first day of the new season.

In the first race over 1400m The Candice Dawson-trained Run For Isla caught the eye running on over 1450m second time out and was short of room late so could have got closer than a 6,50 length fifth. The winner of that race Hollywoodbound went on to finish third in the Grade 2 Zulu Kingdom Explorer Golden Slipper over 1400m, albeit beaten by 8,15 lengths. That represents fair form in the context of this race. The main danger Right Choice plodded on for second over 1200m last time in a workriders’ event and now tries this sort of trip for a second time. Cap Estel looks to have scope and should improve over this trip after being slow away over 1000m on debut and well beaten. 

In the second over 2000m Category Four has come back to form and if able to be dropped in behind horses from a wide draw should be running on as strongly as usual in the long straight. He receives 7kg from the talented Dr Doolitle who has never finished out of the first two in non-Graded events. 

In the third over 1400m Forged By Fire is not an imposing sort but ran on well from midfield last time over 1450m with second time blinkers and he has pole position again in an uninspiring field and Muzi Yeni is now up. Soweto Spina has plenty of scope and should enjoy the step up in trip after a fair debut. The two first-timers have to be respected here. Fighter pilot is by Act Of War out of a three-time winning Jet Master speedster. Alfaatik is by Kingsbarns and is a half-brother to Nafoorah (Soft Falling Rain), who won two out of four starts. Touched By Stars could also earn here.

In the fourth over 1000m Valyrian King has a favourable standside draw and is going to be hard to catch. Bold Ransom holds him by a short-head on paper so can be included in case his low draw does not turn out to be unfavourable.

in the fifth over 2000m Southern Song is on the up and has relished being stepped up to this trip. She can handle a two point raise for her second place finish last time because she is now drawn in pole. Irish Wonder Girl produced a late burst to come from nowhere to win over this trip in her penultimate start at the Vaal and she will love the long straight here so can go close if dropped out and finding cover from a wide draw. Ideal Jet has some class and is distance suited so has to be considered too. 

In the sixth over 2000m Fred has not had much luck lately with draws but now gets draw two and considering he finished a close second over this course and distance in March and is now four points lower in the merit ratings he must have a shout. The Sash usually runs well when drawn well and gets a good draw here over a suitable trip. Fifth Of July is by Wylie Hall so that gives him hope he can stay the trip despite being out of the Grade 2-winning sprinter Virgo’s Babe (Malhub). Watusi is a problematic horse but won his only start over this course and distance and is drawn in pole following a four month layoff so he is an outsider who could be worth including. There is not much between Fifth Of July and Elusive Swan and Khumalo rides the latter.

In the seventh over 2000m Oyster King goes for his fifth win this year. He can do it because he stays the trip and is better drawn than his last start, which he won over 1600m, and he is only three points higher in the merit ratings. Barak has a fine chance too if repeating his last run. Fsquadron is course and distance suited and Baymax and Super Handsome are also worth considering. 

In the last race over 2000m Crusade To Royalty is 2kg better off with Mariposa despite beating the latter by a head in her penultimate start in the maidens over 1800m. She makes appeal as Mariposa then won easily over this trip next time out. They can both be included. Others to consider are Wedding Bliss, Rabia The Rebel and Sheltering Sky.