Race 1
Race Summary: JAPANESE MAPLE has filled the runner-up berth in consecutive outings and seems good value to open his account under an accomplished work rider. RASTIGNAC improved drastically in his last start but has been rested since that appearance back in February. He has switched stables in the interim and is open to further progress. POMO CLAPPER, GLOBAL REEF and MO MENT have both the form and experience to earn a cheque, though a bigger threat could come from newcomer CLEAR THE PATH who needn't be special to play a leading role against opposition of this ilk. Watch the betting.
Selections:
#1 Japanese Maple, #11 Rastignac, #3 Global Reef, #10 Clear The Path
Race 2
Race Summary: SEVENTEEN AGAIN wouldn't be winning out of turn having finished 2nd in both starts. She needn't improve much with first-time headgear fitted to go one better. BELLISSIVAR is held on recent form by that rival but should acquit herself competitively. Of the newcomers, ACCEPT COOKIES and ENDIZAYO appeal most before any betting clues. The market should provide a guide to the chances of those on debut.
Selections:
#6 Seventeen Again, #1 Accept Cookies, #3 Endizayo, #2 Bellissivar
Race 3
Race Summary: WATCHMAN was the subject of 'track talk' and spirited betting support on debut (in open company) and he justified that interest with an encouraging close-up 2nd over the course and distance. He will have come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience so should prove hard to beat. His stable companions KOMATI RIVER and SOVEREIGN CROWN are engaged to run at an earlier meeting, so their participation must be monitored. Well-bred newcomers BLAZE A WAY and DWIGHT EISENHOWER shouldn't be underestimated on debut, especially if the market speaks in their favour - again, watch the betting.
Selections:
#6 Watchman, #2 Blaze A Way, #8 Komati River, #3 Dwight Eisenhower
Race 4
Race Summary: EASY ON ME has confirmed the promise of her August 2023 debut with 2 encouraging comeback runs over shorter and, with this step up in trip likely to unlock further improvement, looks ready to open her account. She will, however, be kept honest by all of CITY LIGHTS, BUTTERNUTENROOIWYN and PERFORM who have both the form and experience to pose a threat.
Selections:
#1 Easy On Me, #3 Butternutenrooiwyn, #6 Perform, #2 City Lights
Race 5
Race Summary: Tricky. Maturing stayer MAMBO COME TESIO finished ahead of ARLINGTON ACTION and VESUVIO in a similar contest over 2400m on the Standside track last month and should confirm his superiority on these terms. AFRAAD and TWENTY DRACHMA'S (2kg better off) are held on that form but could pose more of a threat over this extended trip. Preference, however, is for MEDLERS TART who will be more at home over this staying distance after a pleasing Highveld introduction over an inadequate trip. She ought to have come on from that run and is favourably treated by the conditions. UNITED COUNCIL has claims too.
Selections:
#2 Medlers Tart, #7 Mambo Come Tesio, #8 Arlington Action, #10 Vesuvio
Race 6
Race Summary: BLACKBERRY BREEZE is closely related to a Grade 2-placed runner who thrived over staying distances, so the step up to this trip should be to his liking. He shouldn't be underestimated, especially with scope to improve on his 3rd run after a rest and gelding. HAZLO GRANDE returned to form over track and trip last time off a higher mark. He will also be at peak fitness and is good value to confirm his recent progress off a reduced mark. SILVANO'S SONG and ROMEO'S MAGIC are closely matched on recent form and could have a say, having dropped further in the ratings.
Selections:
#4 Hazlo Grande, #8 Silvano's Song, #2 Blackberry Breeze, #9 Romeo's Magic
Race 7
Race Summary: HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE was a dominant start-to-finish winner on her Highveld debut over 1200m last month for a new yard when fitted with headgear (retained here) and she should remain competitive. However, a hefty 8-point penalty will make her task more complicated. It could, therefore, pay to side with course-and-distance specialist DUENNA who has the form and consistency off her current mark at a higher level. SOUND MACHINE, HEART PEAKS and JUST BE NICE have also shown enough to suggest that they can have a say in the outcome. SUNSHINE DAY and GOLDEN ASPEN come next.
Selections:
#1 Duenna, #4 Hierkommiebokkie, #5 Heart Peaks, #8 Just Be Nice
Race 8
Race Summary: DOITWITHDIAMONDS made a winning Highveld debut for her new yard and would've come on from that outing. On that evidence, starting from the gate 1 will play to her strengths so another bold showing is expected. Youngster ONE PARTY is progressing with each start while stepping up in trip. She won over this course and distance last time and is likely to acquit herself competitively under just 54kg. FROZEN FANTASY ran in a 2yo Grade 1 sprint and drops significantly in class, though top-weight 60kg and stall No 10 does her no favours.
Selections:
#2 Doitwithdiamonds, #7 One Party, #1 Frozen Fantasy, #5 Sahara Dawn
Best Win: #2 DOITWITHDIAMONDS
Best Value Bet: #2 MEDLERS TART
Best Longshot: #2 MEDLERS TART
