Race 1
Race Summary: Improving FETCHING FLYER finished 2nd last time in her first start over 1600m and looks good value to go one better with further progress on the cards. However, GLAMOROUS LADY fits a similar profile and could have more to offer over going 1600m for the first time. KURAMATHI, TIK TOK ADDICTION and RADIANT HEAT all have the form and experience to make their presence felt too. MARIESKOP may do better having another go at this trip.
Selections:
#4 Fetching Flyer, #8 Glamorous Lady, #1 Tik Tok Addiction, #6 Radiant Heat
Race 2
Race Summary: THE SPECIALIST was a high-class juvenile (finished 2nd in a 1600m Grade 1 last season) and it should pay to follow his progress on his 3yo debut for a new stable. MOUNT PINATUBO made no impression in the same race from a wide draw but remains open to improvement and ought to pose more of a threat over this shorter distance. Consistent FOSTINOVO and rejuvenated BEAMONESQUE have shown enough to be competitive.
Selections:
#4 The Specialist, #5 Mount Pinatubo, #1 Fostinovo, #6 Beamonesque
Race 3
Race Summary: THE CANE TRAIN has improved considerably since he was gelded, finishing close-up in his last three starts over 1600m, 1800m and 2000m. He has placed in both outings on the Inside track and needn't make much progress to open his account. ROLL OF THE DICE and GAMER are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over this trip, and both have sufficient means to play a role in the finish. However, a bigger threat could come from JAHAM who would've benefited from the experience of his introduction.
Selections:
#5 The Cane Train, #9 Jaham, #1 Roll Of The Dice, #2 Gamer
Race 4
Race Summary: FLAG BEARER has filled the runner-up spot in 3 consecutive outings so wouldn't be winning out of turn. He finished behind re-opposing EIGER SANCTION over 2000m last time but is weighted to reverse the form on 4kg better terms. The latter has improved in 2 starts with the blinkers removed and ought to remain competitive under a penalty. Preference, however, is for progressive younger last-start winner STREISAND after the form of her 1600m maiden success was franked by the subsequent victories of 2 direct runners from that race. She should have more to offer over this trip. CALLABURN has claims too.
Selections:
#3 Streisand, #5 Flag Bearer, #1 Eiger Sanction, #4 Callaburn
Race 5
Race Summary: Well-bred SALENIO PENINSULA belied her inexperience to make a winning 1000m debut, displaying a willing and professional attitude. She would've come on appreciably with the benefit of that outing so it should pay to follow her progress. Hard-knocking 6yo mares DANCING DORA and MIX THE MAGIC are fit and in good form so will keep their unexposed rival honest. BOOM BOOM and GREAT BARRIER are better than their disappointing last starts suggest and retain the means to make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#2 Salenio Peninsula, #7 Dancing Dora, #1 Boom Boom, #8 Mix The Magic
Race 6
Race Summary: HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE has thrived since relocating to the Highveld, winning both starts for Corne Spies' stable (including one over this course and distance) under Kabelo Matsunyane. She was whacked with another 8-point penalty for her last-start 1450m victory, so she could be vulnerable under top-weight 61kg. She is, however, in rude health and may have even more to offer from her in her peak outing. GOLDEN ASPEN (4.5kg) and SOUND MACHINE (5.5kg) should get closer on better weight terms but SO SEDUCTIVE could pose more of a threat. SECOND BREATH and unexposed QUEEN OF FIRE aren't taken lightly.
Selections:
#1 Hierkommiebokkie, #5 So Seductive, #4 Second Breath, #6 Queen Of Fire
Race 7
Race Summary: UNZEN is at the top of his game. He won a similar contest over 1400m on the Standside track beating high-class Grade 1 winner Main Defender and a 4-point penalty is unlikely to halt his momentum. ZINOVI caught the eye when 3rd in a 1200m Listed race on his return from a layoff, during which he was gelded. He would've tightened up since so should improve to play another leading role. PUERTO MANZANO, even under a hefty 62kg, has the means to pose a threat. He has an impressive record on this track and races well fresh. Stablemate TSAR BOMBA is dangerous to discount under just 50kg.
Selections:
#3 Unzen, #2 Zinovi, #7 Tsar Bomba, #1 Puerto Manzano
Race 8
Race Summary: FORCE DE DIEU has improved after joining the Klaasen outfit and should remain competitive on his handicap debut after a wide-margin course-and-distance maiden success. COMING IN HOT, also an authoritative winner of his last start (over 1200m), ought to make his presence felt too despite a 6-point penalty. Lightly raced SECRET RECIPE strips fitter after a Poly comeback run and remains open to improvement given her low mileage. Consistent GOLDEN PAVILION should give another honest account of himself but the value may lie with MOONLIGHT TRADER who had excuses last time and is capable of better.
Selections:
#6 Moonlight Trader, #5 Secret Recipe, #3 Golden Pavilion, #2 Force De Dieu
Best Win: #4 THE SPECIALIST
Best Value Bet: #6 MOONLIGHT TRADER
Best Longshot: #6 MOONLIGHT TRADER
