Race 1
Race Summary: LETS PLAY POKER and DWIGHT EISENHOWER were 2nd on this course over 1000m recently and should play leading roles again. DUCHESS OF SEVILLE also filled the runner-up berth last time over this trip and will make her presence felt in receipt of a sex allowance. BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW, KWAGGA BLITZ and CHIEFTAIN'S SHIELD also have the form and experience to acquit themselves competitively.
Selections:
#1 Lets Play Poker, #7 Dwight Eisenhower, #6 Busstopinhounslow, #9 Duchess Of Seville
Race 2
Race Summary: ICHACHA was a beaten short-priced favourite over 1400m recently but is worth another chance, given the step up to this extended trip will be more to his liking. YOJIMBO improved to finish 2nd on his return from a rest, during which he was gelded, and will fight for victory if building on that progress. STORM AHEAD, GAMER and SNOW MOON complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#4 Ichacha, #5 Yojimbo, #6 Snow Moon, #1 Storm Ahead
Race 3
Race Summary: RISING RUSSIAN, QUELLO CHE and LUNAR RAINBOW finished in that order over 1800m last month and renew rivalry on identical weight terms. ANCIENT WISDOM has a bit to find but isn't taken lightly with first-time blinkers fitted. PASS THE BATON and PLUM BLOSSOM have superior experience and can get into the picture.
Selections:
#7 Rising Russian, #5 Quello Che, #8 Lunar Rainbow, #1 Pass The Baton
Race 4
Race Summary: Veteran mares TWICE AS WILD and SMELTING are in good form and physical condition. Both are suited to this track and trip so should be competitive. Hard-knocker CALL ME MASTER returns from a layoff without blinkers but shouldn't be underestimated off his current mark as he has run well fresh. Both BREGARDT and PRINCESS LOLA also have the credentials to play a role in the outcome. PACIFIC and PHALA MILLIONS can take home a minor cheque.
Selections:
#9 Smelting, #3 Call Me Master, #8 Twice As Wild, #2 Bregardt
Race 5
Race Summary: Progressive 3yo filly ONE PARTY won over track and trip as a juvenile. She was an eye-catching 2nd over 1000m on her seasonal reappearance and the step up to this distance with improved fitness on her side will be to her liking. Hard-knockers WRITTEN IN STONE and AFTER HOURS will challenge the selection who concedes weight to older male rivals. CAN'T CATCH ME, BOB LEE SWAGGER and VAVA VEGAS appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#1 One Party, #5 Written In Stone, #6 After Hours, #10 Can'T Catch Me
Race 6
Race Summary: HAIR TRIGGER is on an upward trajectory and it could pay to follow his progress on handicap debut. He justified market support with a start-to-finish maiden win over 1200m and this extended trip will unlock further improvement. Fellow last-start winners DOITWITHDIAMONDS and POTBERRIE ought to remain competitive under resultant penalties. Returning HAMMIES HERO isn't without a chance on his Highveld debut, especially off a reduced mark. NAZARE, SPRING TRADITION and SUPER AWESOME add further intrigue to a fascinating handicap.
Selections:
#9 Hair Trigger, #2 Doitwithdiamonds, #8 Nazare, #3 Super Awesome
Race 7
Race Summary: SPIRITED GIRL won a 1400m handicap in September but is worse off at the weights to re-opposing rivals BLUE HORIZON and ALABAMA ANNA. She is progressive and should remain competitive but it could pay to side with the consistent latter who is weighted to turn the tables on 3kg better terms. MISS HANNIGAN has the ability to play a leading role too, despite carrying 62kg. WILLY MEET AGAIN and COURAGEOUS also have legitimate claims with just 52kg on the back.
Selections:
#6 Alabama Anna, #1 Miss Hannigan, #7 Spirited Girl, #2 Blue Horizon
Race 8
Race Summary: DESTINY OF FIRE confirmed the promise of her debut win by finishing a close-up 2nd in a minor KZN feature last month and she remains open to improvement on her Highveld introduction. CORAL BLAZE has improved since relocating from the Western Cape. She was a wide-margin winner on the Poly but has shown enough on turf to be competitive on her handicap debut. RATTLE BAG, RISKY BUSINESS and SECRET RECIPE have the form and experience to make their presence felt. KZN raiders PRETTY ANALIA and VERMACILLI complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#8 Destiny Of Fire, #6 Coral Blaze, #3 Rattle Bag, #1 Risky Business
Best Win: #1 ONE PARTY
Best Value Bet: #6 ALABAMA ANNA
Best Longshot: #6 ALABAMA ANNA
