Race 1
Race Summary: ZEITZ ran on from a long way back when a beaten short-priced favourite over this distance last time but he could redeem himself in first-time blinkers that should sharpen him up and racing in a handier position. BOMBERS IN THE SKY has improved in 2 starts over this trip and is closely matched on that form, so he should be competitive. TUNGUSKA, EXPRESS YOURSELF and MR FOX improved over 1400m and should make their presence felt with further progress expected over this extended trip. ROYAL PORT LOUIS, RED DAWN and ALWAYS SHINING have the form and experience to get involved. Watch the newcomers!
Selections:
#4 Zeitz, #5 Bombers In The Sky, #3 Express Yourself, #10 Red Dawn
Race 2
Race Summary: STATE CAPITOL has acquitted herself well in 2 post-maiden outings and is likely to play a leading role off an unchanged mark. Hard-knockers HANG OUT THE STARS, MELA STRENGTH, OZARK, GOLD INDEX and DREAM SEARCHER have shown enough recently to have a say in the outcome. Maidens UNITED WE STAND and DE VLUGGE are also capable of getting involved if improving for this step up in trip.
Selections:
#2 State Capitol, #7 Hang Out The Stars, #10 Ozark, #12 Dream Searcher
Race 3
Race Summary: SAIL THE SEAS won a similar contest last time beating older hard-knockers and a 4-point penalty isn't likely to halt his momentum, with the extra 200m likely to unlock further improvement. HAPPY DAYS and DALMENY FACTOR are progressive 3yo colts with the form to be competitive. MIKE'S MAZARIN fits a similar profile and shouldn't be underestimated on his Cape and stable debut. Consistent MASTER OF PARIS, distance-suited HOODIA, unexposed GOLDEN ANGEL and experienced BARDOLINO will keep them honest. AZZURRI and MIDWAY were gelded recently and could have more to offer.
Selections:
#10 Sail The Seas, #5 Hoodia, #14 Dalmeny Factor, #2 Happy Days
Race 4
Race Summary: Cases can be made for most. QHAWE LAMI and stablemate BLACK EGRET are entitled to improve after pleasing Cape introductions. TENANGO, SWEETIE DARLING, SILVER CROWN and ESCARPMENT return from respective layoffs but have shown enough to warrant respect on their reappearances. PIROSHKA and TOUGH TERRAIN aren't taken lightly, especially off reduced marks. WALK WITH ME and ELUSIVE WINTER are others who can get into the picture. However, it could pay to side with consistent NIGHT BOMBER whose form and fitness stands him in good stead.
Selections:
#7 Night Bomber, #8 Walk With Me, #3 Black Egret, #4 Sweetie Darling
Race 5
Race Summary: Maturing CALL TO UNITE won a 2000m Listed race when last seen and neither the resultant 7-point penalty nor an extra 500m will halt his progression. Stablemates DAIMYO and FUTURE SWING have a bit to find on these terms but should improve after encouraging last starts (both 2nd), so they could threaten. HOLDING THUMBS caught the eye in the Algoa Cup and is unexposed over this trip, which VIHAAN'S BOMB will enjoy on his Western Cape introduction. Hard-knockers OTTO LUYKEN and LOVE IS A ROSE are weighted to be competitive. Last-start winner BARATHEON and PONTE PIETRA aren't just making up the numbers.
Selections:
#1 Call To Unite, #9 Future Swing, #6 Daimyo, #8 Love Is A Rose
Race 6
Race Summary: Many have chances in this big field, but none appeals more than progressive last-start winner NORDIC QUEST who is good value to defy a career-high mark (5-point penalty). SOUTHERN SKIES is unbeaten in 2 starts with blinkers fitted and can fight it out. ASIYE PHAMBILI hasn't been seen since finishing close-up in a 1600m KZN Grade 1 and carries 63.5kg on her reappearance but runs well fresh and this trip suits. Progressive hat-trick scorer BE MERRY and stablemate SUMMER LILY (blinker strike) should make their presence felt. WINTER RAINFALL, GIRL LIKE US and HIGHLYCONFIDENTIAL aren't taken lightly.
Selections:
#7 Nordic Quest, #6 Southern Skies, #12 Be Merry, #8 Summer Lily
Race 7
Race Summary: Key Cape Fillies Guineas trial. Well-bred LITTLE SUZIE appears the pick of the Snaith runners on riding arrangements. Stablemate BEWARE THE BOMB is 2kg worse off with re-opposing MAI SENSATION who is weighted to avenge a recent 0.50-length defeat. SYMPHONY IN WHITE and GIMMIE'S COUNTESS are closely matched on the form of a 2yo Grade 1 meeting over 1200m but the latter was most unlucky on that occasion and recently made amends in a 1400m Grade 3 on her seasonal reappearance. It should pay to follow her progress, despite an unfavourable wide draw. KINDA WONDERFUL shouldn't be underestimated.
Selections:
#12 Gimmie's Countess, #3 Symphony In White, #7 Mai Sensation, #4 Beware The Bomb
Race 8
Race Summary: SWIATEK outran market expectations when winning on debut but that form has been franked and she is open to any amount of improvement. SPOIL YOURSELF and SCARLET MACAW acquitted themselves well in defeat in a stronger race last time and they will be more competitive in these calmer waters. Fellow 3yo fillies PINK PIGEON and TWO G'S are on the up and should make their presence felt after last-start maiden victories. FIGURE EIGHT didn't go unnoticed on her reappearance over 1250m and this extended trip will be more to her liking. FAMILY POWER and GRANDIOSA aren't taken lightly. Good race!
Selections:
#1 Swiatek, #6 Scarlet Macaw, #8 Pink Pigeon, #9 Two G's
Race 9
Race Summary: IMPACT INVESTOR, SOUND OF THE SEA and COMMANDING are entitled to improve after much-needed comeback runs after they were gelded. Last start maiden winner LET IT BE SAID could also have more to offer after a subsequent gelding. MONUMENTAL finished behind ARCTIC WIZARD in a stronger race recently and is 1.5kg better off but the latter has more scope to improve so could defy the revised weight terms. Stablemate SIR KORSKI fits a similar profile and ought to acquit himself competitively on handicap debut. TWENTYTWENTYVISION, TRIPPI'S SILK, PARATROOPER and GIVETHATMANABELLS complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#8 Arctic Wizard, #7 Monumental, #5 Sir Korski, #2 Let It Be Said
Race 10
Race Summary: PRINCE OF TIBET was refitted with blinkers when beating CHAMPAGNE MAC in a similar contest last time and should go well again with the headgear retained. However, the latter is weighted to reverse that form and could have more to offer in first-time blinkers. ISCHYRO was heavily supported in that race and is capable of redeeming himself. Hard-knockers AUGUSTA BLUE (blinker strike), GRAVITY and TAMBOURINE MAN appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#12 Champagne Mac, #11 Prince Of Tibet, #7 Tambourine Man, #5 Ischyro
Best Win: #12 GIMMIE'S COUNTESS
Best Value Bet: #1 SWIATEK
Best Longshot: #1 SWIATEK
