Turffontein Saturday Apr 8 tips and race previews by David Thiselton

Race 1
Preview: RUMBAVAR is drawn better than he was last time when run out of it by a good sort and he should also have benefitted from the run as it was his first since returning from Cape Town. DESERT RHYTHM is drawn in pole and should stay the trip but he does have to give the other runners weight as the only winner in the field. SPRING POETRY made a fair debut and can earn over a step up in trip which should suit. (David Thiselton 4-1-6)

Race 2
Preview: SEVENTH OF JUNE has run two moderate sprints but looked outpaced and should relish the step up in trip, so as an unexposed horse in a weak field is taken to win from a good draw. SOLDAT has shown enough to win this weak race. ISLAND VIEW made a fair debut and should improve. (David Thiselton 10-1-8)

Race 3
Preview: FRIKKIE has a good chance here if settling with the blinkers back on. FORTUNE FELLA is better than his last run and loves this course and distance. KING OF BLUES has been knocking on the door over staying trip and can get it right here. (David Thiselton 3-2-4-7-6)

Race 4
Preview: ALI BON DUBAI ran a fair race last time over 1450m and being by Lateral should love the step up in trip. AL HAMD has been disappointing but has enough form to earn here. KING’S KING moved up well over 2000m last time but couldn’t match the winner and should enjoy  this slightly shorter trip. (David Thiselton 2-1-4-3-6)

Race 5
Preview: ROYAL VARIETY improved with blinkers and can follow up on his easy maiden win from a good draw.  APPROVAL MODE is unbeaten in two starts over course and distance and has dropped to a competitive merit rating. MISSION CONTROL is always thereabouts and has now dropped to a competitive merit rating. (David Thiselton 5-2-4-3-1)

Race 6
Preview: DI MAZZIO won well on debut and looks likely to enjoy this trip. RIBOVAR was gaining late against a good sort over 1200m on Sun Met day so should enjoy this trip. AUSSIE AUSTIN should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree and has a plum draw with Strydom up. FLEMINGTON was slow away last time over 1160m and won going away so should stay the trip. LIFE IS GOOD is a fair type who might have needed his last two runs. (David Thiselton 6-2-5-3-1)

Race 7
Preview: STATE STAR impressed on debut over 1160m and being by High Chaparral should enjoy the step up in trip. AL DANZA is the best weighted horse and her full-brother The Captain’s Tune won twice over this trip for this same stable. VISUALITY didn’t enjoy Cape Town but bounced back to form upon her return and wasn’t disgraced in the Gauteng Fillies Guineas. (David Thiselton 3-1-2-7-4)

Race 8
Preview: OH MY DARLING is a classy sort who can rise above her current merit rating. SHATOOSH has always had a touch of class and now has her third run after a rest over a trip she should enjoy and she is drawn well. SAMARRA won going away over 1450m last time and this gives hope she will stay this trip. SNOWDONIA is three points higher for her last win over course and distance and wasn’t disgraced last time in a strong Pinnacle event so she can do well from a good draw. TEENAGE DREAM is drawn in pole and distance suited. (David Thiselton 7-4-2-5-8)

Race 9
Preview: RUSSIAN STAR won well last time and being by Silvano will be coming into her own so could handle a seven point merit rated raise. INGA has a wide draw but drops back to the course and distance of her good win in February and is only two points higher in the merit ratings. ANGELIC APPEAL seldom disappoints when drawn well as she is here and she is only two points higher than her last winning mark and is affective over the distance. MISS WALES is coming into her own and could earn again. MOVIE AWARD wasn’t disgraced against stronger horses in a Pinnacle Stakes race over course and distance last time. LUCKY LULU could earn off a lowered ,erit rating. (David Thiselton 4-2-1-11-3-9)