Race 1
Race Summary: GROOVEJET improved for the step up from 1400m to finish 2nd over 1600m last time and could have more to offer over this extended distance. CONGRESSMAN finished 2nd over this course and distance when resuming after a 3-month absence and would've come on since, so he could fight out the finish. Improving WOOD WORLD and fellow 3yo HAPPY DAYS are closely matched on the form of a recent 1600m meeting. The former has improved in 2 starts after he was gelded and is likely to improve over the extra 200m. Lightly raced BLACK CHERRY, maturing DREAMALITTLEDREAM and AMANCIO complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#4 Groovejet, #7 Congressman, #8 Wood World, #9 Black Cherry
Race 2
Race Summary: ENGLISH MISTRESS wouldn't be winning out of turn, having finished 2nd in 3 of her last 4 starts, but she has been costly to follow and could be vulnerable to an unexposed rival. Improving 3yo filly LADY SPRINGFIELD fits that profile and could be worth siding with over this distance after an encouraging 2nd over 1600m last time out. DARLING GIRL has 3 lengths to find on that rival but is 3.5kg better off. STYLE ICON and LAVENDER BAY appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#8 Lady Springfield, #1 English Mistress, #9 Darling Girl, #3 Style Icon
Race 3
Race Summary: Recent course-and-distance winner OTTO LUYKEN has the advantage of superior fitness which stands him in good stead. Consistent LOVE IS A ROSE and top-rated PACAYA, who concedes chunks of weight to his rivals, are resuming after a 100-day absence but have run well after a rest. Both should acquit themselves competitively if fit enough to do so. SACHDEV, unbeaten over course and distance, and RAPIDASH, who finished 2nd in his only start over this distance, complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#7 Otto Luyken, #3 Pacaya, #5 Rapidash, #1 Love Is A Rose
Race 4
Race Summary: Tricky. Progressive DAIMYO was an easy start-to-finish winner of his last start over 2200m and could be hard to peg back if adopting similar tactics. BLUE BAY and CALL TO UNITE finished an eye-catching 2nd over course and distance when resuming after respective absences and both will be competitive if making the expected improvement. Last-start winners KING PELLES and GIMME MORE TIME should remain competitive under resultant penalties, while TWO A PENNY is a specialist over this distance and dangerous to discount under just 53.5kg. BATON ROUGE and GENTLEMAN JOE aren't without chances either.
Selections:
#1 Daimyo, #9 Blue Bay, #3 Call To Unite, #4 King Pelles
Race 5
Race Summary: Wide open. SAIL THE SEAS showed promise as a 2yo and could represent the value from gate No 1 with improvement likely. KELP FOREST, RADICCHIO, MONT LOISIR, DAS GUTE and UNICORN ALERT all have the form and experience to pose a threat. BIG UNIT has scope to improve after he was gelded and is competitive off his current mark. CARRIACOU (carded to run 31 August) is holding form and could have a role to play if taking his place. Last-start maiden winner SONG TO THE MOON is another open to progress but has a wide draw to overcome.
Selections:
#1 Sail The Seas, #3 Kelp Forest, #9 Mont Loisir, #10 Das Gute
Race 6
Race Summary: Open. LADY LOXTON has run well at a higher level in 2 starts since exiting the maidens and this drop in class is in her favour. Hard-knocking mares FLY TO RIO and VERONIQUE are proven performers with solid form credentials in this grade, so they ought to be competitive. CATTALEYA has rediscovered her form fitted with blinkers and is closely matched with those rivals, though a wide draw does her chances no favours. NILE THE BOSS, after an improved 3rd over this track and trip last time, and maiden LOOK FORWARD, are others to consider.
Selections:
#4 Lady Loxton, #9 Veronique, #13 Cattaleya, #7 Fly To Rio
Race 7
Race Summary: RIVERSTONE had won twice and finished 2nd twice in 4 Western Cape appearances as a gelding, and was heavily supported on his comeback in a stronger race (at a higher level) last month. He would've finished closer were it not for interference in the closing stages so is worth another chance. Last-start winner DEAN STREET and NIGHT BOMBER should remain competitive under their 4-point penalties, while consistent SPEED RACER could pose a threat despite a wide No 11 draw. GIMMELIGHTNING and DUMBLEDORE are also drawn wide but have the means to play leading roles. SOOTY has claims too from gate No 1.
Selections:
#9 Riverstone, #8 Night Bomber, #11 Speed Racer, #1 Sooty
Race 8
Race Summary: SOUTHERN SKIES hasn't finished worse than 2nd in 3 starts since joining the Azzie team, winning once. She won her last start 105 days ago but the booking of Richard Fourie and the addition of blinkers are encouraging. KYALAMI GIRL and stablemate WINTER RAINFALL are better than their last starts suggest and the fitting of a tongue-tie to both could spark improvement. GIRL LIKE US was unlucky not to have finished closer last time and must be respected, while last-start scorer NIGHT VIGIL is progressive and must be included. LADY LOOK ALIKE and UNCONQUERABLE LADY are weighted to be competitive.
Selections:
#1 Southern Skies, #5 Winter Rainfall, #7 Night Vigil, #9 My Flower Fate
Race 9
Race Summary: Tricky. TRES CHIC was an eye-catching fast-finishing 3rd in the Winter Country Championship 1200 off a higher rating and is unexposed over 1000m. She could represent the value in the race off a reduced mark. BECKY SHARP was disappointing over 1250m on this track last time but could fare better, even under 62kg from the widest draw, over this shorter distance given the drop in class and rating. ON BOARD and TRY ME fit a similar profile and shouldn't be underestimated either. EASY MONEY, WHY NOT JACKIE and ELECTRIC FEELS are seldom far off the action and will make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#4 Tres Chic, #10 Becky Sharp, #5 Why Not Jackie, #8 On Board
Best Win: #9 RIVERSTONE
Best Value Bet: #1 SAIL THE SEAS
Best Longshot: #1 SAIL THE SEAS
