Race 1
Race Summary: Newcomer PRETTY BOY is the first foal of a well-performed mare (Grade 1-placed dual Grade 3-winner) and he won't need to be anything out of the ordinary to make a winning debut against this opposition. MOODY BLUE and THAT'LL BE THE DAY have the form and experience to challenge the selection, while ETERNAL DIAMOND would have needed his latest outing and could improve to make his presence felt.
Selections:
#1 Pretty Boy, #5 That'Ll B The Day, #4 Moody Blue, #6 Eternal Diamond
Race 2
Race Summary: WINTER SNAP confirmed the promise of his winning course-and-distance debut by finishing 2nd to a subsequent Grade 1 winner in a 1200m Grade 3 during an exciting 2yo campaign. He resumes after a 266-day absence as a gelding and is open to any amount of improvement, so it could pay to follow his progress. KZN raider LITTLE BOY BLUE made an encouraging reappearance and should also have more to offer. BLACK CHEETAH, ESCARPMENT and AIR RAID are better than their most recent performances suggest, while ELLUSIVE WINTER remains competitive off a career-high mark. Good race!
Selections:
#3 Winter Snap, #6 Little Boy Blue, #2 Black Cheetah, #7 Elusive Winter
Race 3
Race Summary: Cape Guineas contender GIMMIE RULES will be all the rage and should improve for the step up to this trip. However, he will be tested by progressive hat-trick seeker JET FORCE who won't be a pushover. Best-weighted filly GOODNESSGRACIOUSME has the means to make her presence felt too. SAN PEDRO and LATE DECEMBER aren't taken lightly but have a bit to find on these terms.
Selections:
#2 Gimmie Rules, #1 Jet Force, #6 Goodnessgraciousme, #4 San Pedro
Race 4
Race Summary: MELA STRENGTH was rewarded for consistency with a last-start success at a higher level and a 2-point penalty for that victory under the same rider is unlikely to prevent him from making another bold bid. Recent maiden scorer FLYING SOUTH should, on pedigree, appreciate this extended trip so she should improve to play a leading role. Hard-knockers TRES CHIC and STATE CAPITOL could have roles to play off of their reduced marks. Maiden CEDAR POINT is another with earning potential.
Selections:
#8 Mela Strength, #3 Flying South, #7 Tres Chic, #4 Cedar Point
Race 5
Race Summary: Fascinating Class 4 event. Highly regarded 3-year-olds GALLIC VICTOR and COCO'S HERO are destined for bigger and better things, and both Khaya Stables-owned colts should improve for the step up to this distance. It is worth noting the owner's retained rider, Craig Zackey, who rode both last-start wins, sticks with the Dean Kannemeyer-trained former. HEAL AND SOUL, KING'S QUEST and ARIOVISTUS are in good form so will make life difficult for their younger rivals. JOSHUA and ARBITRATION complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#9 Gallic Victor, #5 Coco's Hero, #3 King's Quest, #1 Heal And Soul
Race 6
Race Summary: HELIOTROPE finished behind LAVENDER BAY and BENEATH THE CLOUDS in a similar contest over this trip recently but with the benefit of her rider's apprentice allowance, is weighted to reverse that form. BEAUTIFUL SIDE has a bit to find on the form of that meeting but that shouldn't be far off the action. Class-dropper MY ONLY WEAKNESS is bred to appreciate the step up to this distance, especially with the cheekpieces removed. Improving last-start maiden winner AMERICAN BEAUTY and TWO A PENNY have can get into the picture too.
Selections:
#5 My Only Weakness, #9 Lavender Bay, #1 Heliotrope, #8 Beneath The Clouds
Race 7
Race Summary: Stablemates BONNE BOUCHE and PALACE GIFT were unfavourably drawn when finishing unplaced at a higher level last time, and they should have more to offer racing back up the straight at this level. Veteran mare BLACK PATH fits a similar profile and would not be winning out of turn after several commendable performances in stronger company recently. GRAVITY, AVIGNON, OZARK and maiden WINTERONTHEGREEN appeal most of the remainder.
Selections:
#5 Black Path, #3 Palace Gift, #2 Bonne Bouche, #4 Avignon
Race 8
Race Summary: Highly regarded CHURCHILLIAN wasn't disgraced on his reappearance as a gelding over 1250m. He will appreciate reverting to this shorter trip and won't need to improve much off a lower mark to resume winning ways. Veteran ALL ABOUT AL, improving 3-year-old DEMANDING DAVE and lightly raced 4-year-old FLYING FINLEY have shown their form at this level recently and should remain competitive.
Selections:
#2 Churchillian, #4 Demanding Dave, #1 All About Al, #8 Flying Finley
Race 9
Race Summary: INSIDE VOICE won impressively on her 3yo reappearance when beating LOVE SHACK (5kg better off) by 4.50 lengths. She remains open to improvement and should be competitive after a 73-day absence, even off an 8-point higher mark. However, preference is for sparingly raced DAME OF TRIX who was a game-in-defeat 2nd last time off her current mark, after a comeback victory, and should have more to offer in her peak outing. MARKETA has a bit to find on that rival but has scope for improvement. EASY MONEY and OCTOBER FEST also have the form and experience to have a say in the outcome.
Selections:
#1 Dame Of Trix, #5 Inside Voice, #6 Love Shack, #10 Easy Money
Best Win: #2 CHURCHILLIAN
Best Value Bet: #5 MY ONLY WEAKNESS
Best Longshot: #5 MY ONLY WEAKNESS
