Turffontein Inside track stages a low key nine race meeting on Saturday and the highest rated event is a MR 104 Handicap over 1200m.
The talented Champagne Haze has plenty of pace and has been seen to over race around the turn before, so he is interesting dropped to this trip. Andrew Fortune has abandoned the evergreen Pivotal Pursuit to pilot Champagne Haze They are drawn one away from the outside so it won’t be easy. The speedy Greasepaint has the outside draw but will make a bold bid as he has some outstanding recent form from 1000-1200m. Roy Magner puts the blinkers on when he runs over 1000m and takes them off over this trip. Piere Strydom is aboard so he should be right there. British Royale is a progressive sort who has won his last three in succession and he should be involved carrying a nice galloping weight of 53kg off his 97 merit rating. Pivotal Pursuit can never be written off, although he was given four points for his win last time.
African Ruler has a Gr 1 runner up finish to his name over this trip and Gavin Lerena should get the best out of him, although carrying 61kg off his 106 merit rating won’t be easy.
African Ruler (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the 8th race, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m, Nother Russia makes plenty of appeal as she is likely to love this trip, being out of the star mare Mother Russia, who was an unlucky loser of the J&B Met. Nother Russia has some class and should rise above her current 87 merit rating. This is also her third run after an eight month layoff.
Earlier, in race 6, Nother Russia’s Mike de Kock-trained stablemate Red Pomegranate is an interesting runner in a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m. She has speed, as well as ability, and is likely to be right there. However, the tip to beat her is Cape Orchid as she looks to be on the up and will be receiving 2kg. She will be race fit too, while Red Pomegranate is returning from a 123 day layoff.
In the first leg of the PA over 1800m, Magic Sword has run two fair races over 1600m and 1800m respectively and has little to beat, so should go in from a good draw.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, a weak maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m, Prada Princess, Sheema and Quintessa should fight it out.
The fifth race over 2600m is very tough, but Talbec is interesting without blinkers from a good draw as he has tended to be a bit strong in the running in his races and yet has still always been right there. Commodore Al beat Talbec by 0,25 lengths over 2400m recently, but is now 2kg worse off.
In the last leg of the Pick 6 and PA over 2000m, End Game won her maiden fluently over 1800m and will enjoy the further step up in trip, so can follow up off a reasonable merit rating of 77. Turn Back Time and Barcelona Babe have to be considered too.
By David Thiselton
