Race 1
Race Summary: BE MERRY showed considerable ability as a 2yo, albeit without winning. She finished 3rd in a 1400m Listed race when last seen and, with improvement expected on her reappearance, looks good value to open her account on her 3yo debut. LOVE STORY would've come on after an encouraging introduction so could pose a threat. TIMELINE and FLEUR DE VILLE have the form and experience to be competitive. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomers PINK PIGEON and SWEET NOTHINGS.
Selections:
#7 Be Merry, #1 Love Story, #9 Sweet Nothings, #3 Pink Pigeon
Race 2
Race Summary: Well-bred BOUNDLESS ENERGY caught the eye when finishing 3rd on debut as a 2yo in open company over 1100m. He would've come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience in the 15 weeks since and, with the extended trip likely to suit, this is a good opportunity for him to make a winning comeback. Newcomers ZEITZ and LEE VALLEY are bred to be useful, so they could run forward races on debut, especially if the market speaks in their favour. RIVER HAWK and BOUNCEBACK will be wiser to the task after modest introductions so could fare better. FIRINGONALLENGINES could also have more to offer.
Selections:
#9 Boundless Energy, #10 Zeitz, #6 Firingonallengines, #11 Lee Valley
Race 3
Race Summary: ON MY HONOUR finished an encouraging 2nd on debut over 1250m and, with improvement expected over this extended trip given the benefit of that experience, could go one better. DUBBELOSIX was the subject of market support on debut but proved reluctant to enter the stalls. He remains of interest and will be wiser to the task so should have more to offer. However, JOUEUR DE FLUTE may pose a bigger threat to the selection on the evidence of his last-start 2nd over course and distance. Gelded ARDABIL, returning MR BELVEDERE and newcomers REPETITION and JOHNNY DRAMA are others to consider.
Selections:
#1 On My Honour, #10 Joueur De Flute, #7 Repetition, #2 Ardabil
Race 4
Race Summary: CUMBRE VIEJA has finished 2nd in 3 consecutive starts (the latest over track and trip) so he wouldn't be winning out of turn. The booking of champion jockey Richard Fourie bodes well for his chances. ROYAL PORT LOUIS and GIVETHATMANABELLS are closely matched on the form of their encouraging reappearances. Both will strip fitter and acquit themselves competitively as a result. LATE DECEMBER will appreciate this longer distance and firmer ground after a disappointing last start in yielding underfoot conditions. He has another wide draw to overcome but should play a leading role, nonetheless.
Selections:
#4 Cumbre Vieja, #10 Late December, #8 Royal Port Louis, #9 Givethatmanabells
Race 5
Race Summary: Lightly raced JET TO THE SUN, who was 2nd to Grade 1-placed and multiple Grade 2/Grade 3 winner Double Grand Slam, has recently got her career back on track over 1400m and there could be more to come from her going 1600m for the first time. However, EXQUISITE fits a similar profile and whose dam was an 1800m Grade 3 winner. The booking of champion jockey Richard Fourie is encouraging. SANSA STARK, FAIRFIELD and WHITE WATERS have the form and experience to earn a minor cheque. FORGOTTEN SONG could get into the picture if building on the improvement of her last start.
Selections:
#7 Jet To The Sun, #3 Exquisite, #8 Sansa Stark, #2 Fairfield
Race 6
Race Summary: MOHANDAS has rediscovered form, albeit over slightly further, dropped to his current mark. He could represent the value in the race from gate No 1. Consistent IGNATIUS, last-start winner SUDDEN SONG, as well as recent maiden winners ETOILEFILLANTE and KWITE A KWING also have the means to play leading roles. Lightly raced 4yo geldings JOIN THE DOTS and GREENLAND aren't without chances either.
Selections:
#1 Mohandas, #7 Ignatius, #10 Sudden Song, #11 Greenland
Race 7
Race Summary: PLEASE BE TRUE and ONE LINER are unexposed 3yo colts by champion freshman sire One World. Both are open to any amount of improvement after promising juvenile campaigns. Both TRIPPI'S SILK and WINTER PEARL are hard knockers with the form and experience to keep their younger rivals honest. WAR CHARIOT, TAMBOURINE MAN, KING OF SPIN and WISSA'S ON FIRE (gelded) have been sparingly raced but have shown enough to be competitive.
Selections:
#7 Please Be True, #10 One Liner, #5 Trippi's Silk, #9 Winter Pearl
Race 8
Race Summary: Course-specialists QUESTIONING and SILVER FALCON appeal most in a competitive sprint. The former is unbeaten in 2 starts on this track (over 1400m) and has taken his game to another level since fitted with blinkers so could preserve his 100% record at this venue. Last-start winner WE'RE JAMMING, even under a 2-point penalty, ought to remain competitive too. However, it's worth noting jockey Grant van Niekerk steered him to victory last month but rides well-weighted BEREAVE instead from a wide gate. FUTURE VARIETY is also drawn out deep but is a capable of getting involved.
Selections:
#7 Questioning, #1 Silver Falcon, #12 Bereave, #3 We'Re Jamming
Best Win: #9 BOUNDLESS ENERGY
Best Value Bet: #1 MOHANDAS
Best Longshot: #1 MOHANDAS
