Race 1
Race Summary: A tough opening race. LIKE A BUTTERFLY has been a disappointment in that she has yet to win a race. She, has, however, run some fair races on the Polytrack so might win on local debut. MAN OF COURAGE has only been fair so far but is well drawn and could get the run of the race. VELVET VALOUR showed some improvement last time and could have more to offer. DECREE was not beaten far in his last two Western Cape races and could show vast improvement trying the Polytrack. WORLD SOPRANO showed improvement last time out on this surface and is not out of it. AMERICAN PITBULL, HAT MAN and MILLION REASONS are also capable of getting involved with the finish.
Selections:
#12 Like A Butterfly, #1 Man Of Courage, #2 Velvet Valour, #3 Decree
Race 2
Race Summary: An interesting race. CICADIDAE is improving and likes the Polytrack. She has a nice galloping weight and looks the one to beat. MEDLERS TART has not been running to the level she is capable of but is also not out of it. LADY SILVANO showed vast improvement last time out and should be right there at the finish. AMAZING COLOURS has been very frustrating to follow but does have ability and would not be a surprise winner.
Selections:
#7 Cicadidae, #5 Lady Silvano, #6 Amazing Colours, #1 Medlers Tart
Race 3
Race Summary: A weak race. HE'S A GAUL had HOME REEF behind him when they met on 15 November at this track. It is possible HOME REEF is possible of having more improvement to come through so could turn the tables. FEARLESS BADGER is clearly better than his last run would suggest and has a winning chance. ANGEL OF MY HEART is consistent without winning and can earn some more money. MADEIRA CLIFFS makes his local debut for a trainer who normally improves these types of horses and he could surprise. FIRE FESTIVAL ran an improved race trying further and deserves respect for that.
Selections:
#2 Home Reef, #1 He's A Gaul, #4 Fearless Badger, #5 Angel Of My Heart
Race 4
Race Summary: ALL ABOUT LOVE has improved since raiding the Eastern Cape. He lacked a strong finish last time out and the blinkers have been discarded. He can recoup losses. JOVIAL needed his local debut and could improve. TAKE A MULLIGAN has been disappointing of late but is capable of contesting the finish. EXTRACTION has been consistent without winning and can earn some more money. GENTEEL disappointed on this surface last time out but could improve. MAYOR OF MERRIVALE and COME ON YOU SPURS are both battling to get out of the maiden ranks but are capable of earning some minor money.
Selections:
#3 All About Love, #4 Take A Mulligan, #5 Extraction, #6 Genteel
Race 5
Race Summary: Most of these runners met recently over this track and trip but meet this time under a different set of weights and a different result can be expected. THREE ROCKS has been expensive to follow of late but is weighted to bounce back and win this race, but narrowly. PARIS LASS has beaten that rival on two occasions but is not well weighted. Leave her out at your peril. Both of those runners were behind SYMBOL OF LOVE and ELLORIX who fought out the finish last time out. GIMME'S LASSIE did not show her best last time but does have a winning chance. WOMAN OF POWER lost her race in the boardroom last time out and can also be a threat.
Selections:
#1 Three Rocks, #2 Paris Lass, #3 Gimme's Lassie, #4 Symbol Of Love
Race 6
Race Summary: USA'S HOPE was a heavily backed winner of his local debut. He did win comfortably and should follow up if repeating that level of form. WHAT A WINTER has run and beaten better rivals than this but he does return from a lengthy break. FRANZ LEHAR was well beaten but could be a threat on local debut after changing trainers and tries the Polytrack. WHATEVER NEXT and PURPLE OPERATOR are in good shape and capable of getting involved with the finish once again. NOTORIX also has a place chance once again.
Selections:
#2 Usa's Hope, #6 Whatever Next, #9 Purple Operator, #5 Franz Lehar
Race 7
Race Summary: SILVER FALCON clearly did not like the blinkers so the last run is best forgotten. He was not disgraced when third on the Fairview Polytrack when visiting in September and that could be the pick of the form on offer. FIREALLEY won the Algoa Cup on this surface last time out but that was over 2000m. He has won a couple of times over this distance so deserves respect. BLACKBERRY MALT chased home FIREALLEY that day and is distance suited so is clearly not out of it. STREET ART drops in distance and could be the surprise package. THE MAURITIAN, EAST COAST and SEQUOIA are all capable of the upset.
Selections:
#1 Silver Falcon, #5 Blackberry Malt, #2 Firealley, #7 East Coast
Race 8
Race Summary: MASTER FORESTER was not disgraced when fourth last time out. He is improving and could do even better this time but is also not well drawn. FUJISAN is usually not far behind at the line and can earn some money. UNION ROSE has been caught very late in his last two starts and has an obvious winning chance. FLASH LIGHTNING could be improving and could be the surprise package. MR MOLONY is in good form and clearly not out of it. The three Gavin Smith-trained runners, GLOBETONIC, JAMES FITZJAMES and REACH FORTHE STARS, are all unreliable but are capable of earning some money.
Selections:
#8 Master Forester, #3 Union Rose, #5 Mr Molony, #7 James Fitzjames
Best Win: #2 USA'S HOPE
Best Value Bet:
Best Longshot: #12 LIKE A BUTTERFLY
