Race 1
Race Summary: Well-bred ARISTOTLE finished an encouraging 2nd on debut behind a subsequent Grade 3 winner and needn't improve a great deal with the benefit of that experience to open his account. Both BAGATELLE FLASH and filly in the race MISS ARGONAUT, who receives a 2.5kg sex allowance, are also likely to improve after pleasing introductions so will pose a threat. WHAT A FORTUNE, STATED and MAURITIUS KESTREL could get into the picture, although the betting support for any of the newcomers will need to be taken seriously.
Selections:
#2 Aristotle, #6 Bagatelle Flash, #8 Miss Argonaut, #5 Stated
Race 2
Race Summary: Tricky. Better was expected of MC DAZZLER on debut but he would have come on appreciably for that outing, so could give a more competitive account of himself. WISSA'S ON FIRE and IGUGULETHU have the form/experience to fight for victory and are likely to play leading roles. CLIFF SWALLOW and APPROACH SHOT finished 2nd over track and trip last time so could also join that fight if confirming their recent improvement. THE NIGHT FERRY and THE US OF A complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#10 Igugulethu, #3 Cliff Swallow, #11 Approach Shot, #2 Wissa's On Fire
Race 3
Race Summary: ICE RAIN has finished 2nd in both of her course-and-distance outings and will appreciate the return to 1400m, so gets the nod despite conceding weight from the widest stall. JET GREEN and ROCKING PEONIE are closely matched on their form of a recent meeting over 1200m. Both are likely to remain competitive over this trip and there shouldn't be much between them. STEALINGTHETHUNDER and THREE COINS are well-bred fillies who ought to improve stepped up to this distance. BLIND FAITH has the experience that will stand her in good stead.
Selections:
#10 Ice Rain, #6 Jet Green, #9 Rocking Peonie, #2 Three Coins
Race 4
Race Summary: Open. PORT LOUIS maintained form and consistency in the Eastern Cape and should acquit himself competitively on his Cape Town comeback under these favourable conditions. Distance specialists TOUT A FAIT and RUNAWAY SONG are also well-weighted and capable of playing leading roles, so must be respected. CAFE CULTURE carries a 5-point penalty for winning over track and trip last time but that's unlikely to prevent another bold bid stepping up in class under just 54kg. WE'RE JAMMING caught the eye in a Grade 2 sprint and will make his presence felt over the extra, so too should WECANGOALLNIGHT.
Selections:
#4 Cafe Culture, #7 We'Re Jamming, #8 Wecangoallnight, #1 Port Louis
Race 5
Race Summary: MASTER OF PARIS finished 2nd again in a similar contest over course and distance recently so should go close to winning off an unchanged mark. Stablemate LIKETHECLAPPERS has maintained his form at this level off his current mark and is likely to feature prominently too. Last-start winner (over course and distance) IN THE BAG is improving and isn't incapable of posing a threat in his first start out the maidens under 62kg. RADICCHIO and DESTINED TO DANCE are versatile performers who have shown enough over this trip to warrant consideration/inclusion.
Selections:
#2 Master Of Paris, #4 Liketheclappers, #5 In The Bag, #7 Radicchio
Race 6
Race Summary: Tricky. Speedy CANDY TOWN returns from a layoff but did win her only start beyond 1000m so is a candidate for success on her reappearance. JAPANESE ROSE won back-to-back outings before trying her luck at Grade 1 level over 1600m. She finished unplaced on that occasion but should fare better in this grade, especially if ready to go after a 15-week absence. KYALAMI GIRL, however, could not have been more impressive when winning on her comeback/3yo debut and remains open to any amount of improvement, so it could pay to follow her progress. WINTER RAINFALL and PACIFIC GREEN aren't taken lightly.
Selections:
#10 Kyalami Girl, #8 Candy Town, #9 Japanese Rose, #5 Winter Rainfall
Race 7
Race Summary: Tricky. HAMMIES HERO has plummeted down the ratings and retains the ability to win a race of this nature, especially off a reduced mark and the blinkers dispensed with. MIGHT MAC lines up in good form and ought to mount a serious challenge. Last-start maiden winner CASINO ACE is improving and could also play a leading role. ON BOARD confirmed the improvement of her previous outing with a good 4th over 1000m last time when refitted with blinkers so is likely to acquit herself competitively with that headgear retained. MR FROSTIE and best-weighted WINTER FROLIC appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#2 Hammies Hero, #7 Mighty Mac, #6 On Board, #9 Casino Ace
Race 8
Race Summary: Good race. JERUSALEMA RAIN improved with blinkers fitted to beat DANCE VARIETY over 1200m last time and could confirm that form, despite the latter (who is unexposed over 1000m) renewing rivalry on 1kg better terms. MR COBBS and MUFASA are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting in a Grade 1 sprint over track and trip. They are 3kg better off with RIO QUERARI so are weighted to turn the tables on that rival, whose credentials over this distance and at the highest level set the standard in a race of this nature. Best-weighted WINTER CLOUD, even with 52.5kg on her back, will be tested.
Selections:
#2 Rio Querari, #5 Mr Cobbs, #7 Mufasa, #1 Jerusalema Rain
Best Win: #2 ARISTOTLE
Best Value Bet: #10 KYALAMI GIRL
Best Longshot: #10 KYALAMI GIRL
