David Thiselton

TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE hosts an intriguing nine-race meeting today that is headlined by the Grade 3 Sycamore Sprint over 1160m and the Listed Jacaranda Handicap over 1800m.

In the Sycamore Sprint Tropic Sun has plenty of pace and is drawn on the usually favourable stand side. She is potentially well handicapped as she finished 3,85 lengths behind Sweet Future last time on 1kg better terms than weight for age and the latter looks to be a star in the making. In her previous start she burst through the stalls and then got into a speed duel with Forever Mine, so finishing 2,75 lengths behind MK’S Pride was no disgrace, although she was receiving 5,5kg from the smart three-year-old. On her start before that she gave Rio’s Winter half-a-kilogram and lost to her by 0,75 lengths. She now gets 4kg from Rio’s Winter.

Winter Smoke would have been the choice if it was not for her draw of one, which is usually unfavourable. However, she has plenty of pace, which will allow her to overcome it, and she is able to kick on, so she is still a big runner despite having to carry 58.5kg.  

Rio’s Winter has a middle draw and although this is a touch on the sharp side she is capable of a strong finish and could mow them down. 

Mill Queen is 7kg better off with Winter Smoke for a 4,25 length beating in November, although the latter would have made 2,5kg improvement since then according to the weight for age scale so still holds Mill Queen. However, Mill Queen does have a high draw so has a chance.  

Spring Break has talent and carrying only 53kg will be dangerous from a nice draw of nine with Kennedy up.

Risk Taker has a terrific turn of foot so can also be considered although her four draw is on the low side.

Double “O” Eight loves this course and distance but her low draw is against her and the same can be said for the capable Che Bella.

In the Jacaranda Handicap Seehaam is the selection to win. This daughter of Vercingetorix is out of Alderry, who won the Grade 2 November Handicap over 1600m and finished a three length second in the Jacaranda with topweight and a three length third in the Grade 2 level weights Gerald Rosenberg over 2000m. Therefore, Seehaam should stay on pedigree and gave that impression when staying on for a 3,75 length fifth in the Listed Acacia Handicap over 1600m, which was run in course record time on the Vaal Classic track. Seehaam has a plum draw of two and Lyle Hewitson, who scored a double on her in December and February over 1400m and 1600m respectively following a six month layoff, is back aboard. 

Seehaam’s Sean Tarry-trained long-striding Stablemate Magical Flight looks to be the chief danger. She showed in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Classic, where staying on for third, that she gets the trip and also showed that she does not necessarily have to lead. 

Saragon won the Grade 3 Yellowwood Handicap over this course and distance off just a one point lower mark than her current merit rating. She  can give Gary and Dean Alexander, who are soon departing for Australia, a nice going away present by making a bold bid from a good draw. 

Sparkling Water looks to have some class and although half-a-kilogram under sufferance she was not suited by the slow pace of the SA Fillies Classic and was beaten just a quarter of a length by Magical Flight.

Shivers is talented and course and distance suited but does have a tricky draw.

Topweight Jet Start can’t be ignored over a suitable trip as she has always possessed class and is in a rich vein of form.