Race 1
Race Summary: Many with chances in a big field and the form of this race could be worth following. ELSINORE (2nd), GIMMEATHRILL (3rd) and KONNICHIWA (4th) are improving, closely matched on the form of a recent meeting, and should acquit themselves competitively with further progress expected. Recently gelded CORK BAY, blinkered SUMMER SNOW and CIRCUMBENDIBUS have also shown enough to get involved. There are several well-bred newcomers and the betting should provide clues to their chances on debut. Stablemates GURKHA and HONORINE'S GIMMIE are of particular interest, while UMFULA is another to keep an eye on.
Selections:
#2 Gimmeathrill, #14 Elsinore, #4 Charlie Bucket, #18 Honorine's Gimmie
Race 2
Race Summary: RICH FOLKS HOAX finished 2nd over this trip in his first Western Cape appearance and will go close if building on that improvement in his peak outing. GREEN GARNET also filled the runners-up berth in his local debut and is open to further progress. MARINE MERCHANT has shown enough to play a leading role, especially from a favourable inside draw. OKAVANGO is drawn widest but will know more about it after an encouraging introduction. REAL STUNNER and THOMAS JENKINS are also awkwardly drawn but can get into the picture if confirming recent improvement. PALACE GIFT and LANDOFTHERISINGSUN have claims too.
Selections:
#5 Rich Folks Hoax, #7 Green Garnet, #3 Marine Merchant, #15 Okavango
Race 3
Race Summary: SNOW PILOT took advantage of favourable conditions to win a similar contest last time and is ideally placed to follow up as well-weighted stablemates WITHOUT QUESTION and TRIPLE TIME are likely to need this outing after respective layoffs. BJORN IRONSIDE will pose more of a threat to the selection after an encouraging seasonal pipe-opener over a shorter trip. INFRARED has regained his best form as a gelding and should acquit himself competitively, though does have a bit to find at the weights. WILLIAM IRON ARM isn't underestimated on his local/stable debut. He has scope to improve as a gelding.
Selections:
#3 Snow Pilot, #5 Bjorn Ironside, #7 Infrared, #9 William Iron Arm
Race 4
Race Summary: Many with chances but it could pay to follow the progress of well-related POWERANDTHEGLORY who is open to any amount of improvement on his reappearance. He hasn't been seen since winning over this course and distance as a 2yo but is neatly drawn with just 53.5kg on his back. INNAMORARE, BIG UNIT and ROSH KEDESH are experienced hard-knockers with solid form credentials but are awkwardly drawn in wide berths. CHEEKY LADDIE, SAN PEDRO and KING OF SPIN have the means to make their presence felt. SURGE OF POWER, WILLIE JOHN and CHARLIE CROKER aren't taken lightly on the pick of their form. Go wide!
Selections:
#2 Powerandtheglory, #9 San Pedro, #13 Rosh Kedesh, #14 Innamorare
Race 5
Race Summary: JOIN THE DOTS has won consecutive starts over 2000m but will remain competitive over this shorter trip under a 2-point penalty. Fellow last-start winner SONG TO THE MOON fits a similar profile under a 4-point higher mark. MAGIC VERSE has run well in defeat over 1400m recently from wide draws and this extended distance could unlock improvement. He represents the value from a tidy No 4 stall off a reduced mark. GREEN MANDARIN is undefeated over this track and trip so shouldn't be taken lightly in his peak outing back on the turf. Hard-knocker GIMME MORE TIME cannot be discounted either.
Selections:
#4 Magic Verse, #5 Green Mandarin, #3 Song To The Moon, #6 Gimme More Time
Race 6
Race Summary: Maturing GROOVEJET finished ahead of several re-opposing in a similar contest over 2000m recently and should confirm his superiority on similar weight terms. TOTHEMOONANDBACK, ALADDIN'S LAMP and MOHANDAS (1.5kg better off) finished on the heels of the selection last time so shouldn't be far off. COMMANDER GREEN finished further adrift that day but made eye-catching late headway from a wide draw. He is favourably drawn on this occasion so is dangerous to discount. TWICE THE MASTER, GREENLAND and KWITE A KING have earning potential, while improvement is expected of CONTINENTALEXPRESS. Go wide!
Selections:
#5 Groovejet, #1 Aladdin's Lamp, #8 Continentalexpress, #2 Commander Green
Race 7
Race Summary: Quality Grade 3 feature. GIMME A PRINCE caught the eye when finishing 4th in a 1400m Grade 3 after a year's absence and gave the impression that the extra 200m is within his compass. He is better off at the weights with MONTIEN (1kg worse off) on that form so good value to turn the tables in his first attempt at 1600m. ROYAL AUSSIE and RASCALLION are proven Grade 1 performers with good records racing fresh after a break, so they aren't taken lightly on their reappearances. SUGAR MOUNTAIN, ZAPATILLAS and HLUHLUWE appeal most of the remainder in a cracking Cape Mile renewal.
Selections:
#10 Gimme A Prince, #6 Montien, #9 Royal Aussie, #2 Rascallion
Race 8
Race Summary: SHIPINDANI has improved in 2 starts with a tongue-tie fitted and needn't make progress to follow up against her own sex after a recent maiden win against male opposition. DECEMBER DAWN is another last-start maiden winner with scope for further improvement, so she should make her presence felt. VERONIQUE, ROYAL LYTHAM, LADY LOXTON and JET GREEN are experienced hard-knockers and could expose any chinks in the armour of those younger 3yo fillies.
Selections:
#7 Shipindani, #5 Veronique, #4 Lady Loxton, #1 Royal Lytham
Race 9
Race Summary: CAPTAIN'S DESTINY has improved for the fitting of blinkers and the 3-point penalty for her last-start victory is unlikely to prevent another competitive showing. ALLTHEBOYSIVELOVED is 0.5kg worse off with that rival but is lightly raced and needn't improve much to avenge that defeat. However, preference is for fellow 3yo filly I'M SO PRITTI who followed up her maiden win with another victory at this level last time. She copped a 4-point penalty for her troubles but that shouldn't halt her momentum. BABELICIOUS, stablemate PHILOSOPHISE and unexposed MARITZBURG MEMORY complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#3 I'm So Pritti, #9 Alltheboysiveloved, #2 Captain's Destiny, #8 Philosophise
Race 10
Race Summary: Many with chances in another big field, though none appeals more than CATCH A PENNY who wouldn't be winning out of turn after finishing 2nd in both starts. RED STATE caught the eye on debut behind that rival and with that experience to count on and natural improvement expected, could pose more of a threat. WILD APPLAUSE was disappointing last time but she has scope to improve so she is capable of making amends. BEACH QUEEN, GIVE ME EVERYTHING, ANGEL'S OASIS and BRIGHT GOLD aren't taken lightly, while BACK AT THE GEORGE has the form and experience to make her presence felt. Watch newcomer LILY BOMB.
Selections:
#14 Catch A Penny, #9 Red State, #11 Wild Applause, #4 Beach Queen
Best Win: #10 GIMME A PRINCE
Best Value Bet: #2 POWERANDTHEGLORY
Best Longshot: #2 POWERANDTHEGLORY
