David Thiselton
THE TURFFONTEIN INSIDE track stages an eight race meeting and those who do their homework should be rewarded with fair dividends.
In the first race over 1450m Sister Light is all the rage in the early market and has been priced up at 5/10 but she did not impress enough on debut to warrant it. She had the run of the race from pole position over 1400m on the Standside track but battled to quicken in the straight although she did do enough in an uninspiring field to finish a head second. However, the form is yet to be franked. Kissed By Fire makes just as much appeal but was quoted around 7/1 in the opening market. She has quite a nice big action which enables her to run on from off the pace so the draw of five out of seven should not be a problem. Golden Aspen also has a shout as a front-runner who will be favoured by the current fast conditions. Turn Tide has run two moderate fifths over 1000m and 1200m but being by The United States out of Var mare Caviar, who was a five-time winner from 1000m to 1400m, she might improve over this trip. The first-timer Lilly Langtry, by Byword out of maiden Black Minnaloushe mare, does not make appeal on debut.
In the second race over 1450m Timbavati River has a nice big action and stayed on for third in a fair field over 1400m last time after leading so he is the one to beat from a fair draw. Lion Of The Desert was backed on debut in April over 1160m and showed some pace and this scopey horse has a long stride too. However, drawn unfavourably in one that day down the Turffontein straight it was not surprising he faded out. He could have benefitted from the layoff and on pedigree, being by Twice Over out of a Grade 3-winning Damascus Gate sprinter, he should enjoy this trip so is interesting from a plum draw of two. The first-timer who makes most appeal is Zanetto who is by Silvano and is a half-sister to Grade 2-placed Varumba, a sprinter by Var. The first-timer Privilege is a Sean Tarry-trained stablemate to Lion Of The Desert and on jockey bookings could be the stable elect as Lyle Hewitson is up. He is by Rafeef out of a twice-winning Windrush sprinter, but the latter has not produced a winner from three runners, all by Pomodoro. Another Level is another interesting first-timer being by Twice Over out of Grade 2 Debutante winner Captain’s Call, who is by Captain Al. The latter has produced two winners from three runners including a full-sister to Another Level who won once and placed twice in just four starts.
In the third race over 1000m Prince Of Fire showed pace over 1000m on debut before drawing away to win cosily and from pole position he can follow up off a reasonable merit rating of 83. King’s Road is an ultra consistent former KZN horse who made a good Highveld debut over 1200m and now from draw two over his favourite 1000m trip he will be a threat. Warrior’s Captain has a lot of pace and scope and must also be respected despite returning from a four month layoff.
The fourth race is over 2600m and Barak looks the one to beat. He appears to have turned the corner after a three-and-a-half month layoff for despite being a stayer he has finished second in his last two starts over 1800m and 2000m respectively. He is a banker consideration from pole position. However, staying races often produced surprise results so that would be risky. Category Four has not had much luck lately and now gets a good draw over a trip he stays, although he does have to carry topweight. He should be running on from off the pace. Afraad, Captain’s Chorus, Brand New Cadillac, Super Handsome and possibly Humble Tune all have to be considered.
In the fifth race over 1800m Leading Lad was continually baulked for a run last time over this trip so was most unlucky and he now has his third run after a layoff. Grimaldi cruised in last time over this trip to fulfil some of the potential he has always looked to have and he might be running off a capped merit rating so is the one to beat on paper. Willo’thewisp is 4kg better off with Grimaldi and is drawn in pole so has a shout.
In the sixth race over 1800m Flying Bull makes plenty of appeal. He is drawn in pole and this horse has a nice big action and was staying on in eyecatching fashion last time over 1450m. He is by Soft Falling Rain out of a Judpot mare whose only win was over 1400m on debut but the latter was a half-sister to Henry Higgins, who was effective over middle distance and staying trips. Prince Evlanoff and Western Fort should have benefitted from their last starts and look to be the chief threats.
In the seventh over 1450m Val D’Orcia won well on debut over 1160m and on pedigree will relish this step up to 1450m, being by Vercingetorix out of Listed Oaks Trial winner Tuscan Lass. The consistent Funky Music is distance suited and drawn in pole. Flying Grace brings fair form from the Cape and is hard to ignore.
In the last race over 1450m Dark Travel is in good form and is distance suited and the joint best in at the weights under the Classified Stakes conditions. Bitter Wind and Kapama make most appeal of the rest. For wider Miracle And Wonder, Tiki Taka and Pomelo can be considered.
