Race 1
Race Summary: Saturday sees the start of KwaZulu-Natal's Champions Season and some of the best racehorses in the country will be in action, so don't miss out. The first is a 400m dash and is always fun seeing them jump and go. CHOCOLATE SOLDIER is very quick, and the gelded son of One World could be the one. LUNARCAM usually leads the pack in his races and should be right there too. He wasn't far off high-class King Of The Gauls. PRAY FOR RAIN is the highest rated and best weighted horse. He wasn't far off in a Grade 1 last time. SABATINI, NDAKA and GOLDEN TATJANA are also quick off the mark.
Selections:
#2 Chocolate Soldier, #9 Pray For Rain, #5 Lunarcam, #3 Sabatini
Race 2
Race Summary: BJORN IRONSIDE jumped slowly and sat at the back of his field on debut. But he made good progress to finish not far off decent sorts in the Western Cape. The well-bred son of Gimmethegreenlight has been gelded and should have more to come. TWENTY ONE MAY came on nicely in his second start and the form line is looking good. He should be right there. Filly LITTLEBLACKGEM ran on well only to be beaten a neck on debut and carries a light weight with Rachel Venniker's 1.5kg claim. There are first-timers in the hunt, follow the betting market closely.
Selections:
#3 Bjorn Ironside, #2 Twenty One May, #4 Littleblackgem, #1 Top Gun
Race 3
Race Summary: AN AIR OF PRIDE is knocking hard at the door and has drawn well so should have every chance. She finished well ahead of SWEET JULIA when they met but that was over 1400m. The latter has gone close over 1000m and could make a race of it even though not drawn as well. RUBY RISING didn't show much on debut but that was against winners and the juvenile, having drawn well, could give a fair account of herself. ELUSIVE BELLE has had her chances but is consistent and may prefer this shorter trip. More first-timers to consider.
Selections:
#3 An Air Of Pride, #9 Sweet Julia, #1 Icy Eleanor, #2 Ruby Rising
Race 4
Race Summary: First leg of what should be a cracking Pick 6, with a likely pool of R5 million pool. Juvenile HER ROYALTY takes on her elders over 1600m and it might be tough at this stage but she is drawn No 1 and has room for good improvement. FLYING REIGN STORM has hardy form on the Polytrack and gives the impression she could do with a bit of ground. LONG STREET ran a better race last time and has drawn well so could take advantage. However, TANNEN PRINCESS has finished ahead of her and could show up strongly if back to best. TOTHESTARSANDBACK, SWEETER THAN HONEY and ACCUMULATE have claims too.
Selections:
#1 Her Royalty, #5 Flying Reign Storm, #10 Tannen Princess, #8 Sweeter Than Honey
Race 5
Race Summary: Three-year-old HOODWINKED has come on to the scene late but has done well in both starts and rates the form choice. He should stay the longer trip if judged on his running style. MAGMA MAGIC hasn't been far off in all four starts and gives the impression he is looking for a longer distance. But only the race will tell if he is up to it. BASIE RAAKVAT did well in his last two starts and could get it right. RAINBOW OF ROSES didn't shine in a marathon last time but her previous form is fair and she needs to be respected. TORIX NIGHT, IRON MONGER, FIRE FORCE and IBIZA NIGHT can earn.
Selections:
#3 Hoodwinked, #4 Magma Magic, #7 Basie Raakvat, #5 Rainbow Of Roses
Race 6
Race Summary: First of the big ones and it is a smashing contest. Top three-year-old MAIN DEFENDER is in town after an emphatic win in the Grade 1 Horse Chestnut Stakes. He rates the one to beat over his favourite distance. Brilliant miler AL MUTHANA is a past Grade 1 winner at this venue and was 3rd in this race last year. He is weighted to go well but has drawn a bit wide. ROYAL AUSSIE finished ahead of AL MUTHANA in the Grade 1 L'Ormarins King's Plate the last time they met and has gate No 1. He must be taken seriously. COUSIN CASEY and GLADATORIAN have the potential to be in the fight too.
Selections:
#3 Main Defender, #1 Royal Aussie, #2 Cousin Casey, #9 Al Muthana
Race 7
Race Summary: DOUBLE GRAND SLAM has a bit more to do to pick up a Grade 2 after winning two Grade 3's in a row. But she was oh so impressive last time and can continue on her winning ways. RASCOVA may have been soundly beaten by the former recently but did finish ahead of her the time they raced over this 1600m. She could take it to the wire. LET'S GO NOW didn't shine over 2450m last time and that run is best ignored. She is another high-class filly who could enjoy the course and distance. WHITE PEARL isn't without a say either. MINOGUE and CELTIC BEAUTY have done little wrong.
Selections:
#5 Double Grand Slam, #4 Rascova, #1 Let's Go Now, #2 White Pearl
Race 8
Race Summary: Great line up for the Grade 2 World Sports Betting Guineas with some of the best of the Highveld versus the best from the Western Cape. SANDRINGHAM SUMMIT is a Grade 1 winner at this course and has been in hot form, so should have every chance. But SNOW PILOT won the Grade 1 Cape Guineas and looks a big threat. He needed his comeback run when beaten 3 lengths by MID WINTER WIND and could be ready. MID WINTER WIND is improving with each start and could pass his biggest test to date. GREEN WITH ENVY has been impressive and if not finding it short could be dangerous.
Selections:
#2 Sandringham Summit, #4 Snow Pilot, #6 Mid Winter Wind, #3 Green With Envy
Race 9
Race Summary: Lightly raced GOLDEN PEACE beat a high-class individual last time and looks to be on the up. SHOOT THE RAPIDS wasn't far behind him in that race and is better off at the weights so could get closer. He ran a fair race in the Grade 1 TAB SA Derby but has a slightly wide draw to overcome. Watch out for FLAG MAN who won two in a row before being rested. He is highly regarded and should have every chance from draw No 1. WINTER GAMES has been staying on and could go well over the longer distance. GET IMPRESSED won in fluent style on local debut but has drawn wide. More with claims.
Selections:
#4 Golden Peace, #1 Flag Man, #9 Shoot The Rapids, #6 Winter Games
Race 10
Race Summary: JAZZ CAFE turned in a smooth performance to follow up on her maiden win. She is bred to enjoy the longer trip and could make it three wins in a row. CHICHICASTENANGO won her maiden well enough to suggest there is more in the tank. She can only improve but is racing after a rest. Stablemates GRANDI ORECCHIE and NIGHTINGALES SING also have the potential to run well in this contest. AFRICAN BEAT is holding form and has stamina in her pedigree so could be up to the task. PINSTRIPE has been running on well but a wide draw makes it tough. More can get into the money.
Selections:
#5 Jazz Cafe, #2 Chichicastenango, #4 African Beat, #11 Pinstripe
Best Win: #3 BJORN IRONSIDE
Best Value Bet: #5 JAZZ CAFE
Best Longshot: #5 JAZZ CAFE
