3 minute read

Preview and form for the meeting at Turffontein on Saturday. Selections by David Thiselton.

Race 1

Preview: There is little between WHORLY WHORLY, SO VAR and ALFOLK, who all have winning chances, but on the bare form they are selected in that order. REBEL’S CHAMP was close up behind a horse, Quinlan, who went on to thrash older horses in his next start, so he can’t be ignored either. LIKE ASTAIR was backed on debit and beat a weak field, but this is a lot tougher. FLIGHT SCHOOL is by Gimethegreenlight out of a Galileo mare who has not produced much to date. (David Thiselton 1-5-2-4-3-7)

Race 2

POLAR VORTEX is by Western winter and is a half-brother to Captain Splendid who won the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup recently. TOWN FLYER has a chance if reproducing his penultimate run over this trip, having failed to see out the 2400m last time. SPANISH TUNE has the form to go close from a good draw over an ideal trip. SYNERGY is improving and can earn. SPANISH BLADE is a long time battling maiden but has a chance from a good draw if reproducing his last run. KNYSNA JET has shown sign of ability and is interesting stepped up to this trip from a good draw, having been left with too much to do last time over shorter when dropped out to last from a wide draw. (David Thiselton 10-1-2-3-7-6)

Race 3

Preview: ZERODARKTHIRTY has gone close to two well performed horses in his respective starts and has a good chance here. OVER EASY was 3, 4 lengths behind Zero Dark Thirty on debut despite losing a length and now has a stand side draw with Delpech keeping the ride. Snowboarding was not disgraced against a useful sort last time and before that ran well against one of the best sprinters on the Highveld over 1000m. (David Thiselton 16-7-15-1-5-14)

Race 4

Preview: SHUFOOG should be full of speed as he is by Gr 1-winning sprinter Star Witness out of Golden Delicious who won a Gr 3 sprint and three Listed sprints. ULTIMATE SHAMROCK looks to have scope for improvement having run on nicely on debut over 1200m. SALMON RUN was 0,8 lengths ahead of Ultimate Shamrock last time but is more exposed. PRIMA BALLERINA was clear in that race on her debut and should improve while she should also appreciate this quick track. DISTANT CALL is by Var out of a Giant’s Causeway mare who has produced a three-time winner. (David Thiselton 14-6-1-5-8-11)

Race 5

Preview: RIVARINE is one of the fastest and classiest sprinters on the Highveld and will be hard to beat over this quick course and distance if producing his best. DONNY G is very quick and should be suited to this fast course and distance. DOOSRA has been disappointing but is interesting returned to a fast course and distance. (David Thiselton 1-3-4-2-5-6)

Race 6

Preview: SHE’S A GIVER should be cherry ripe and is the best in at the weights so will be hard to beat over an ideal trip, having gone close against the boys last time. WUKKIN’ UP runs well fresh and is well drawn over an ideal trip. POOL PARTY has produced a strong finish over this trip before and is well drawn with Strydom up. (David Thiselton 1-2-3-9-5-6)

Race 7

Preview: LIEGE was last seen when staying on quite well for fourth in the Sansui Summer Cup over six months ago. He will prefer this shorter trip and will need a big run to book a place in the Vodacom Durban July, so should be fit and ready and is the selection to win. FLYING ICE has always had class and should be cherry ripe over an ideal trip as she has her third run after a rest, although it’s never easy against the boys. She has been lowered to a competitive merit rating. THE ELMO EFFECT best recent run was over this trip and he is well drawn. He will be out to book a place in the July. FORTISSIMA is well drawn and is fairly handicapped on her best form, although she would prefer further. BANKABLE TEDDY has the ability to earn. (David Thiselton 1-3-8-6-12-5)

Race 8

Preview: STARRETT CITY improved to win easily last time over this trip and might be off a capped merit rating having been raised the maximum allowed of eight points. MAXIMIZER is well regarded won going away over 1400 metres last time when hold up tactics were employed, so is interesting over this step up in trip. YANKEE CAPTAIN over raced last time over this trip from a good draw and wasn’t far back at the line, so if settling from a pole position draw could be a contender. (David Thiselton 3-1-6-9-10-5)