Race 1
Race Summary: FRERE JACQUES caught the eye on debut when staying on strongly for second over 1200m. The extra 200m here should be right up his alley, and natural improvement makes him a big runner. PALACE ATTACK is bred to improve and showed promise when finishing a close-up fifth over this trip last time. He's right in the mix and won't need to find much more to be competitive. TRIP TO STATES, MYSTIC VISION, and AMANDLA NGAWETHU all bring solid form and race experience to the table. Watch the betting on the newcomers, particularly BELLEROPHON who is well-bred and could be primed for a bold debut.
Selections:
#5 Frere Jacques, #6 Palace Attack, #4 Trip To States, #10 Bellerophon
Race 2
Race Summary: Improving RENDEVOUS IN RIO wouldn't be winning out of turn after back-to-back seconds and she is preferred to well-bred CHANTILLY DREAM who would've benefitted from an encouraging debut (6th) over a shorter trip. Consistent EMPRESS WU, CONCORDIA and returning TIPPERARY have the form and experience to trouble those rivals.
Selections:
#2 Rendevous In Rio, #8 Chantilly Dream, #3 Empress Wu, #6 Concordia
Race 3
Race Summary: INSPECTOR JAMES, JET QUERARI, and the recently gelded TIME WILL TELL all bring solid form and valuable experience to the table, so expect them to be right in the thick of things at the finish. GASLIGHT DANCER is a speedy sort who could relish the drop in trip. The addition of a first-time tongue-tie may unlock further improvement, making her one to watch for value backers. Experienced contenders CYBER SPIRIT and RINGHO have shown enough to be competitive here and shouldn't be overlooked in wider bets.
Selections:
#1 Inspector James, #3 Time Will Tell, #2 Jet Querari, #4 Gaslight Dancer
Race 4
Race Summary: MISTER WILSON showed ability as a juvenile and is open to plenty of improvement after a layoff. ARILENA and NAZARE are seasoned campaigners with consistent form and should test the younger rival. WILLIAM WEST makes his Highveld debut after relocating from the Western Cape and is one to keep an eye on. BLINDFIRE is unbeaten in blinkers and cannot be ignored with the headgear refitted.
Selections:
#2 Mister Wilson, #3 Arilena, #5 Nazare, #7 Blindfire
Race 5
Race Summary: GLOBAL THUNDER is thriving in cheekpieces and could complete a hat-trick if maintaining her current form. VALIEVA and BOOM BOOM are consistent campaigners with the experience to pose a threat. HOTARU drops in class and distance after contesting a Grade 2 and should be more competitive. THE NAVY LARK and TIME FOR CHARITY also warrant inclusion for wider exotics.
Selections:
#1 Global Thunder, #2 Boom Boom, #5 Valieva, #8 Time For Charity
Race 6
Race Summary: SILVER FLARE finished ahead of CARTAGENA last time and is weighted to confirm that result, making him the one to beat. CARTAGENA, however, is unbeaten over this course and distance and could bounce back at her favourite venue. ROSY LEMON benefits from a 4kg claim and is consistent enough to make her presence felt. Both STOP THE TRAFFIC and THE MERCIFUL are capable of grabbing a share and add depth to the race.
Selections:
#7 Silver Flare, #2 Cartagena, #4 Stop The Traffic, #1 Rosy Lemon
Race 7
Race Summary: GIMMEACHOICE caught the eye on stable debut after a break and gelding. He should relish the step up in trip and looks primed for a big run with natural improvement. FUTUREWOLFF is a consistent campaigner with solid form and should be right there again. MIZZEN SWORD impressed when shedding his maiden tag last time and could be competitive if backing up that effort. TRIDENT KING and OKLAHOMA TWISTER are capable types who can also get into the mix.
Selections:
#1 Gimmeachoice, #4 Futurewolff, #3 Mizzen Sword, #7 Oklahoma Twister
Race 8
Race Summary: PAUL REVERE was outclassed over 1200m in stronger company last time but will be far more at home over this distance and in this grade, especially with a 4kg claim. DYLAN'S CHAMP finished ahead of that rival in the same race and is better off at the weights, so he looks set to fight out the finish. CAPE SAFFRON caught the eye when a fast-finishing 2nd on handicap debut over this trip against her own sex but she rates a serious threat against male rivals if repeating that effort. PEREGRINE FALCON is a well-bred improver, while durable GOLDEN ASPEN could sneak into the frame if things go her way.
Selections:
#1 Paul Revere, #3 Cape Saffron, #2 Dylan's Champ, #5 Peregrine Falcon
Best Win: #2 MISTER WILSON
Best Value Bet: #7 SILVER FLARE
Best Longshot: #7 SILVER FLARE
