Race 1
Race Summary: An intriguing 2yo opening event featuring 3 promising last-start winners. LEGEND OF ARTHUR was an impressive scorer over 1450m recently and, on the evidence of that success, should have even more to offer over the extra. However, the same could be said of both MOONLIGHT TRADER, won over track and trip, and SUNSET RIOT, whose winning time over 1450m was slower than the selection, who ought to acquit themselves competitively. MOUNT PINATUBO and PANNING GOLD are others likely to improve for this step up in distance. Watch the betting on newcomer DIWALI ROCKET.
Selections:
#1 Legend Of Arthur, #3 Mount Pinatubo, #4 Sunset Riot, #2 Moonlight Trader
Race 2
Race Summary: Another competitive 2yo contest featuring 3 last-start scorers. QUEEN OF FIRE got the better of FATAL FLAW over 1400m before the latter franked that form by winning over 1450m on the Inside track last time. SONIC JET, however, is weighted to turn the tables on 3kg better terms for a 2.75-length defeat. TOO LATE MY MATE confirmed the promise of her debut 3rd over 1160m by winning over 1400m and could have more to offer going the extra 200m, though her wide draw is a concern. WORLD OF ALICE is also 3kg better off after a fast-finishing 3rd on debut and she ought to improve to reverse that form.
Selections:
#10 World Of Alice, #7 Sonic Jet, #2 Queen Of Fire, #1 Fatal Flaw
Race 3
Race Summary: A small but competitive field for this Grade 3 Protea Stakes renewal. BUFFALO STORM CODY won over 1000m on debut and is hard to oppose on the evidence of that impressive wide-margin victory. KING OF KILDARE appears the choice of Muzi Yeni, who has ridden WINDS OF CHANGE in each of his three starts - so, the chances of the former must be respected, while the latter ought to remain competitive in receipt of 3kg. PROCEED, DANTONFROMSANDTON and CHIEFTAIN, who beat older rivals to shed his maiden tag, have all shown enough to get into the picture.
Selections:
#1 Buffalo Storm Cody, #5 Proceed, #4 King Of Kildare, #6 Winds Of Change
Race 4
Race Summary: Tricky. PINATUBO beat subsequent winners BOSUM BUDDY and WE WILL ROCK YOU on debut before fluffing her lines in a handicap, but shouldn't be written off just yet. SIMPLY MAJESTIC has the form and experience to play a leading role with improvement likely after a 14-week break. FAMOUS LADY is another who could fare better after a much-needed comeback outing, while STARS AND BRA'S need only confirm the improvement she made last time to make her presence felt too.
Selections:
#4 Simply Majestic, #1 Bosum Buddy, #6 We Will Rock You, #3 Pinatubo
Race 5
Race Summary: Good race. MRS GERIATRIX is weighted to be competitive and is unbeaten over track and trip so ought to have a say in the outcome. ONE FELL SWOOP and joint best-weighted runner WHITE PEARL have the form to fight out the finish too, though preference is for the latter who renews rivalry on 5kg better terms for a narrow course-and-distance defeat. TIME FO ORCHIDS has won 4 in a row so shouldn't be underestimated either. KISS ME CAPTAIN and MRS BROWNING also have the means to stake claims.
Selections:
#6 White Pearl, #7 One Fell Swoop, #1 Mrs Geriatrix, #5 Time Fo Orchids
Race 6
Race Summary: Tricky. PERFECT WITNESS finished behind GILDED BUTTERFLY in a 1600m Grade 1 last time but is 1kg better off and will appreciate this longer trip, so is good value to turn the tables in her peak outing. MY SOUL MATE and BEATING WINGS acquitted themselves well in the Grade 2 Oaks over 2450m but should remain competitive over this shorter distance - both are favorably treated by the conditions. NONE OTHER, with the benefit of a recent comeback run under her belt, and Cape raider FUTURE GIRL can also take home a cheque.
Selections:
#4 Perfect Witness, #8 My Soul Mate, #2 Gilded Butterfly, #9 Beating Wings
Race 7
Race Summary: Another small but competitive field for the Grade 2 Colorado King Stakes. Top-weighted PUERTO MANZANO is favourably treated by the conditions and has the class to pull it off but is out of sorts and held on recent form. ARAGOSTA caught the eye when staying on to finish 3rd in a Grade 1 over track and trip last time, so will be a factor if confirming that form/improvement. SAFE PASSAGE has a bit to find but isn't without a chance either. Preference, however, is for 3yo geldings PURE PREDATOR and HOTARUBI after both performed well in Grade 1 Triple Crown races over 1800m and 2450m. Good race!
Selections:
#6 Pure Predator, #7 Hotarubi, #2 Aragosta, #4 Safe Passage
Race 8
Race Summary: LUCKY LAD is primed to run a big race in the Grade 2 Senor Santa after two encouraging comeback runs and with blinkers now fitted in his peak outing. Stablemate WINTER GREETING (best-weighted) is also likely to acquit herself competitively after a winning reappearance in KZN. However, RULERSHIP could pose the biggest threat having produced a career-best effort when finishing 3rd in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1000m. Cape raider SURJAY, consistent sprinters I AM GIANT and CAPTAIN HINDSIGHT, as well as versatile UNZEN are also capable of getting into the picture.
Selections:
#3 Lucky Lad, #1 Rulership, #10 Winter Greeting, #9 I Am Giant
Race 9
Race Summary: ZEUS runs his best races (10 wins) under Gavin Lerena and will be better suited to this distance, though must concede weight to all under a hefty 62kg. Veteran stayer NEBRAAS has already proven himself capable and isn't incapable of bouncing back to form with the blinkers removed. CRIMSON KING and ARUMUGAM are also capable stayers with earning potential. UNITED COUNCIL improved for the step up to 2850m last time and could confirm, while RED MAPLE remains a lot better than her last run suggests. BREEZE OVER and PRIME EXAMPLE have no stamina doubts and are lively contenders under light weights.
Selections:
#8 Breeze Over, #9 Prime Example, #2 Nebraas, #6 United Council
Race 10
Race Summary: ATTICUS FINCH would've needed his last start after a break and retains all the ability to win a race of this nature. Last-start winner ZINOVI is progressive and has already proven his effectiveness over this trip, so ought to remain competitive under a 6-point penalty. CELTIC RUMOURS finished an eye-catching 4th in a course-and-distance Grade 2 earlier this month and need only repeat that effort off an unchanged mark to resume winning ways in her peak outing. LAGUNA VERDE and JULIET TANGO complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#6 Celtic Rumours, #5 Zinovi, #2 Atticus Finch, #9 Laguna Verde
Best Win: #6 PURE PREDATOR
Best Value Bet: #10 WORLD OF ALICE
Best Longshot: #10 WORLD OF ALICE
