Race 1
Race Summary: PALACE DANCER stayed on well from a handy position to finish second on debut over this track and trip. With the benefit of that experience she could improve to go one better. KIT KAT KATIE was only 1.35-lengths adrift of that rival so could pose the biggest threat although BELLISSIVAR has both the form and experience to also fight for victory. BLACK HOLE SUN, SOMEDAY MAYBE and BILINGUAL complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#11 Palace Dancer, #1 Kit Kat Katie, #7 Bellissivar, #3 Black Hole Sun
Race 2
Race Summary: BLIZZARD SNOW finished second on debut over this course and distance behind a well-fancied newcomer colt so is good value to open her account here with natural improvement expected. BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW concedes a 2,5kg sex allowance to that rival but has shown enough to challenge for race honours. GLOBAL ZEE can get into the picture if building on recent improvement. Newcomers AMERICAN EAGLE, PRIMAL QUEST, and PARABELLUM are worth a market check.
Selections:
#12 Blizzard Snow, #4 Busstopinhounslow, #9 Parabellum, #5 Global Zee
Race 3
Race Summary: MIZZEN SWORD put a poor debut outing behind him with a fast-finishing fourth over 1000m on his return from a break. He finished ahead of ANTONIO GAUDI and will confirm that form if making further progress. BAD MEDICINE has been on a break for 20 weeks after not striding out last time. He remains open to improvement so isn't underestimated on his reappearance. ALONE TIME has shown enough to be competitive, while SPY STORY and stablemate DIVINE MESSENGER are also open to improvement having been gelded since last seen.
Selections:
#10 Mizzen Sword, #5 Antonio Gaudi, #7 Bad Medicine, #2 Alone Time
Race 4
Race Summary: AVOONTOAST finished behind I AM REGAL over 2000m on similar weight terms recently but was well back on that occasion. There shouldn't be much between them. ARIEL'S JET had PARTY PUNCH, PLAY WITH FIRE and PRETTY IN PEARLS behind her when winning over 1800m last time and the 4 of them are closely matched on these revised terms. However, a chance is worth taking on well-bred SILVER FLARE whose 1600m maiden win gave the impression that this longer trip could be more to her liking. She has made marked improvement since relocating to the Highveld.
Selections:
#6 Silver Flare, #1 Avoontoast, #2 I Am Regal, #3 Ariel's Jet
Race 5
Race Summary: BLUE HORIZON sets a good standard and is most effective over this distance. However, jockey Kaidan Brewer, who partnered her to second over 1200m last time rides promising 3yo filly WILLY MEET AGAIN instead, having ridden her on debut. The latter confirmed the encouragement of that debut second over 1000m by winning over 1200m and should continue to improve, especially over this extended trip she is bred to enjoy. Craig Zackey, who rode WILLY MEET AGAIN to victory, rides at a minimum 53,5kg so partners stablemate ALABAMA ANNA who also has legitimate claims. MARY READ comes next.
Selections:
#8 Willy Meet Again, #1 Blue Horizon, #3 Alabama Anna, #2 Hillary Step
Race 6
Race Summary: Well-related WILLOWILD made the expected improvement stepping up from 1200m to 1500m as a 2yo, beating winners on this track in late July. She remains open to progress but will need to have done so in the 6 weeks since if she is to thwart in-form RISKY BUSINESS. The latter recently completed her hat-trick over 1500m on this track and a further 4-point penalty isn't likely to halt her momentum. PERINI PALACE is better off at the weights with that rival so has to be respected too. ONE RELIGION and TOGETHER AGAIN aren't taken lightly.
Selections:
#3 Willowild, #2 Risky Business, #7 Perini Palace, #1 One Religion
Race 7
Race Summary: TSAR BOMBA is engaged to run at an earlier meeting but would hold every chance if taking his place, so his participation must be monitored. BLACK EGRET has shown his form and well-being on turf and Poly in 1000m KZN races at a higher level. He is most effective over 1200m so should play a leading role. LAGUNA VERDE and PASSAGE OF POWER are better than their last starts suggest and shouldn't be underestimated. However, a bigger threat could come from last-start winners CIAN THE CONQUEROR, despite a 5-point penalty, and ESQUEVELLE off an unchanged mark, as well as OPEN HIGHWAY.
Selections:
#1 Tsar Bomba, #2 Black Egret, #7 Cian The Conqueror, #9 Open Highway
Race 8
Race Summary: PURPLENINJATURTLE has shown improvement in 2 starts back on the Highveld after he was gelded, winning over 1160m before finishing an eye-catching course-and-distance 3rd in a similar race under 61,5kg last month. He races off an unchanged mark and this looks an easier assignment. There are, however, dangers aplenty including PRINCE OF KILDARE who has also acquitted himself competitively at a higher level in recent starts. VAVA VEGAS has dropped to an attractive mark and enjoys 1200m, while last-start scorer WRITTEN IN STONE remains competitive under a penalty
Selections:
#1 Purpleninjaturtle, #6 Prince Of Kildare, #5 Bregardt, #8 Written In Stone
Best Win: #3 WILLOWILD
Best Value Bet: #6 SILVER FLARE
Best Longshot: #6 SILVER FLARE
