Race 1
Race Summary: MASTER CASPER and last-start winner LEAD THE CHARGE have improved after they were gelded. Both are distance suited and should have a say in the outcome. The latter, a last-start winner over 1200m, is 3kg worse off with speedy TAXI TO THE MOON whose running style suggests this shorter trip will be more to his liking. Best-weighted MOVING IN may need the run on her return from a lengthy layoff. CYMRIC and KINSHIN SHA have the form and experience to make their presence felt too.
Selections:
#4 Taxi To The Moon, #2 Lead The Charge, #5 Master Casper, #3 Cymric
Race 2
Race Summary: POPLAR PARK caught the eye on debut over track and trip when attracting market support. She would have come appreciably with the benefit of that experience so should acquit herself competitively. Well-bred newcomers WEARINGOFTHEGREEN and GREENHOUSE needn't be special to play leading roles on debut. Riding arrangements suggest the former is the pick of the stable's debutantes - watch the betting. WINTER IN PARIS, STROOPSOET, CHASING SHADOWS and ZALTA STAR appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#8 Poplar Park, #2 Wearingofthegreen, #7 Greenhouse, #5 Stroopsoet
Race 3
Race Summary: INSPECTOR JAMES has shown promise in both starts over 1000m and needn't improve much over this extended trip to open his account. Improving TIGER STORM fits a similar profile and should fight out the finish with further progress expected over the extra 200m. SUTHERLAND and ANTONIO GAUDI have the form and experience to have a say in the outcome too. SEA WOLF was the subject of market support on debut so warrants respect on his return from a rest, during which he was gelded.
Selections:
#6 Inspector James, #3 Tiger Storm, #7 Sea Wolf, #1 Sutherland
Race 4
Race Summary: ROMAN'S REVENGE has improved in two starts on the Highveld since joining this yard and finished a close-up 2nd over track and trip last time. He needn't a great deal of progress to open his account. JAHAM improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to finish 4th over 1600m in his last start and could have more to offer over this extended distance. SIENNA RAE and QUELIMANE have earning potential. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomer MUSICAL ANGEL who won't need to be special to make her presence felt on debut.
Selections:
#1 Roman's Revenge, #5 Jaham, #6 Sienna Rae, #7 Musical Angel
Race 5
Race Summary: TOWERS OF GOLD was stretched by the 1800m in her last start but could make amends over this trip. OBSIDIAN wasn't disgraced on his 2yo sprint debut against winners and is open to any amount of improvement over this longer distance with that experience to count on. Robyn Klaasen has done well with her new recruits so CORAL BLAZE shouldn't be discounted on her Highveld and stable debut. Stablemate GRAND OASIS could also have more to offer this trip. GAMER has the form and experience to acquit himself competitively.
Selections:
#2 Towers Of Gold, #6 Obsidian, #1 Gamer, #7 Coral Blaze
Race 6
Race Summary: A case can be made for each of these. WHERE'S THE PARTY won a course-and-distance feature in her last start but faces a tougher task under a hefty 11-point penalty. Stablemates CHASING HAPPINESS and SO SEDUCTIVE are unbeaten over track and trip. Both should remain competitive off their revised marks after recent course-and-distance victories. HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE lost her unbeaten Highveld record last time but is 1.5kg better off with SO SEDUCTIVE for a 3-length beating. THERE SHE GOES is 5.5kg better off with WHERE'S THE PARTY so should get closer on these terms. Good race.
Selections:
#5 So Seductive, #2 Chasing Happiness, #4 Where's The Party, #3 Hierkommiebokkie
Race 7
Race Summary: Johan Janse van Vuuren holds another strong hand. NETTLETON finished a close-up 2nd last time in a stronger race over course and distance against male opposition. She is refitted with blinkers under a 3-point penalty but could go one better. Lightly raced stablemate LOVEGRASS is open to improvement trying this trip for the first time. GOLDEN ASPEN and HEIRLOOM have dropped in the ratings and will be competitive off current marks, especially after improved recent outings. MICKE'S BOMB and INVENTRIX complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#2 Nettleton, #1 Lovegrass, #7 Heirloom, #3 Golden Aspen
Race 8
Race Summary: BARBARESCO beat only one rival in the Grade 1 Champions Cup but was far from disgraced, finishing under 6 lengths off the winner Dave The King (Horse Of The Year). He's slung in under the conditions and will be hard to beat if anywhere near his best. MASTERSHIP, unplaced in the 1800m Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes 10 weeks ago, is unbeaten in 3 starts over this distance so could pose a threat to the selection back over his preferred trip. QUATERMAIN was heavily supported when finishing 2nd on his stable debut last time and would have come on since. GUY GIBSON should also be competitive.
Selections:
#1 Barbaresco, #2 Mastership, #4 Guy Gibson, #3 Quatermain
Race 9
Race Summary: SHINTO SHRINE has finished 2nd in 4 of his 5 starts and registered his only victory over this course and distance. He filled the runners-up berth on his seasonal/handicap debut over 1500m but ought to enjoy reverting to this trip and could have more to offer with blinkers fitted for the first time. He gets the nod ahead of fellow 3yo colt CONFEDERATE who confirmed the promise of his debut 2nd with a 1600m maiden success last time and he too is open to any amount of improvement. Progressive last-start winner DIWALI ROCKET and consistent hard-knocker GOLDEN PAVILION are not to be taken lightly.
Selections:
#4 Shinto Shrine, #2 Confederate, #5 Golden Pavilion, #3 Diwali Rocket
Best Win: #1 ROMAN'S REVENGE
Best Value Bet: #4 TAXI TO THE MOON
Best Longshot: #4 TAXI TO THE MOON
