Race 1
Race Summary: ALL THE RAGE confirmed the promise of his debut win by finishing a close-up 3rd in both subsequent starts, the latest when stretching out to 1500m. On the strength of his earlier form, this shorter trip is probably more to his liking for the time being. SAUDI CAT was impressive in winning over course and distance first-up and with that experience to count on, should improve to play another leading role. DEMANDING DAVE and last-start scorer (after gelding) SPIRIT have a bit to find on form but could take home a cheque. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomers DRIVING SNOW and LEIF ERIKSON.
Selections:
#3 All The Rage, #7 Saudi Cat, #2 Demanding Dave, #1 Driving Snow
Race 2
Race Summary: Youngsters SWIFT SERENITY and PENNYS CHOICE have shown enough to be competitive against older rivals. The former edges the vote on the strength and consistency of her performances and likelihood of improvement, though the latter isn't underestimated in first-time blinkers. HERITAGE RIDGE should make her presence felt back over this distance, while returning ALESSIA ASHEVILLE also has the form and experience to have a say in the outcome. Well-bred newcomers GUTSY BABY and LAYDELAY don't have to be special to get involved either. Watch the betting!
Selections:
#2 Swift Serenity, #9 Laydelay, #3 Heritage Ridge, #7 Pennys Choice
Race 3
Race Summary: SIERRA SAGRADA caught the eye last time when a fast-finishing 2nd over 1400m against older rivals on his return from a rest (gelding) and a repeat of that performance will probably be good enough to open his account. Stable companions GETUPANDGO and GREEN COMMANDER could have more to offer over this extended trip but RED WAVE should pose more of a threat if building on the improvement of his last start. Well-bred Futura colts LOOK AHEAD and O'FELLOW aren't underestimated on debut. The latter is of particular interest given that he is the product of 2 former Horse Of The Year winners!
Selections:
#2 Sierra Sagrada, #5 O'Fellow, #3 Red Wave, #6 Look Ahead
Race 4
Race Summary: Best-weighted GIMMELIGHTNING deserves a reward for his consistency and this is a good opportunity for him to end a 245-day winless streak. However, conceding 6kg to last-start scorer SURGE OF POWER may be a bridge too far as the latter could be a few points ahead of the handicapper, despite a 2-point penalty his course-and-distance comeback win off a career-low mark. MAURITIUS KESTREL and MAKAZOLE fall into that category now and are weighted to be competitive, even over this shorter trip, as is recent runner-up SCOTTISH KISS who has more scope for improvement than his rivals.
Selections:
#1 Surge Of Power, #5 Gimmelightning, #4 Scottish Kiss, #3 Mauritius Kestrel
Race 5
Race Summary: Tricky. EASY LIVING, EASY MONEY, HEAR MY VOICE and returning BONNE BOUCHE (in her first run for the stable) have lost form but plummeted in the ratings to current marks off of which they could fare better, especially at this level. Grade 1- placed GOLDEN TATJANA is no longer the force of old but she fits a similar profile and should bounce back to form sooner rather than later from a career-low mark. Youngster DU MAURIER, on the other hand, is on an upward trajectory and she won't need to improve much to follow up her recent maiden victory off a seemingly lenient opening mark. BLACK PATH next.
Selections:
#9 Du Maurier, #7 Golden Tatjana, #8 Black Path, #1 Golden Ideal
Race 6
Race Summary: KING'S QUEST ran out an easy winner of a similar course-and-distance contest last time and he will be hard to beat if reproducing a similar performance under a 4-point penalty. AFRIQUE (2kg better off) is weighted to avenge that defeat but may have been flattered by the margin of defeat. SHOW OFF (3kg) should also pose more of a threat on these revised terms. Unexposed GRAN CANARIA had excuses for a disappointing last start in KZN and remains open to improvement on his return to Cape Town, while class-droppers BEL CANTO DREAM and FUTURE TURN have the form and experience to stake a claim too.
Selections:
#3 King's Quest, #2 Afrique, #10 Gran Canaria, #5 Show Off
Race 7
Race Summary: Best-weighted SAINT BRIGID is engaged to run a few days earlier but would hold every chance if taking her place in this lineup. Last-start scorer MIDWAY copped a 2-point penalty for winning at this level over course and distance last month but that isn't likely to prevent another forward showing. STATE CAPITOL (1.5kg better off) finished a close-up 3rd on that occasion before confirming her form and wellbeing with a subsequent 2nd over 1800m. She's good value to turn the tables on these terms. Hard-knockers OZARK and MELA STRENGTH cannot discounted at this level.
Selections:
#4 State Capitol, #5 Midway, #2 Saint Brigid, #10 Mela Strength
Best Win: #2 SIERRA SAGRADA
Best Value Bet: #4 STATE CAPITOL
Best Longshot: #4 STATE CAPITOL
