Race 1
Race Summary: First of the juvenile races of the season. Plenty of power packed pedigrees and as usual, as exciting as it gets. Buffalo Bill Cody has produced some lightning-fast individuals and CATWALK KING who is out of a High Chaparral mare could be one to follow. Justin Snaith is well represented with a What A Winter colt MARSEILLES, Querari filly QUERARI DANCER and Richard Fourie is booked to ride Rafeef filly CHAMPAGNE CASTLE. FYFIELD LEGEND is a What A Winter colt who is out of a Trippi mare and needs to be respected, even if having drawn toward the outside.
Selections:
#4 Catwalk King, #7 Champagne Castle, #2 Marseilles, #1 Lava Strike
Race 2
Race Summary: Champion mare DOUBLE GRAND SLAM is back and should be hard to beat, even if prepping. She won this race last season, beating RAINBOW LORIKEET, another top-class individual. The latter carries top weight this time and prefers further. SWIATEK can't be faulted on form over 1400m and gives the impression she will get the extra. KINDA WONDERFUL appears held by SWIATEK on their last meeting but she could prefer being back over 1600m so must be respected. BEWARE THE BOMB went start to finish last time and could be up there once again.
Selections:
#3 Double Grand Slam, #5 Swiatek, #2 Rainbow Lorikeet, #4 Kinda Wonderful
Race 3
Race Summary: Many unexposed individuals and the betting must be closely followed. THELEIA was eye catching on debut but has drawn wide again. She has improvement to come and should be ready to open her account. ONE DANCE had been knocking at the door over sprints before lacked extra when tried over further. She should have a big chance back over 1200m. NANNIE GOLD wasn't disgraced over 1400m in her last start and is looking to go one better after finishing runner-up in her last two. MATRJOSHKA has only had one start and it wasn't a bad run. More can improve.
Selections:
#13 Theleia, #9 One Dance, #7 Nannie Gold, #4 Matrjoshka
Race 4
Race Summary: UMFULA has run on well in both starts after a rest. He should be at his peak and is back over a distance that suits a lot better. But REGULATION wasn't far behind when he was making his comeback last time out. He has won over ground and should relish the step up in distance. Stablemate FUTURE FREE has won his last two easily and could be ready for a step up in class. PINOT GRIGIO sets the standard as he brings strong form into the race. He is consistent but will have his work cut out carrying 60kg. STRAWBERRY THIEF must have a say too.
Selections:
#5 Umfula, #7 Regulation, #1 Pinot Grigio, #6 Future Free
Race 5
Race Summary: Top-class stablemates SNOW PILOT and SAIL THE SEAS could dominate proceedings as the pair are weighted to fight it out and have drawn alongside. SNOW PILOT loves 1400m and is usually hard to peg back but is returning from a 301-day layoff. SAIL THE SEAS is unbeaten in two starts over the trip and is prepping but he could be hard to fend off. Another stablemate, GREAT PLAINS, will reportedly be in need of it but he too has a great 1400m record. LA PULGA ran a nice race when dropped in trip and with fitness on his side could threaten.
Selections:
#2 Snow Pilot, #3 Sail The Seas, #1 Great Plains, #5 La Pulga
Race 6
Race Summary: A strong field assembled. ALL THE RAGE impressed in his last two starts and could live up to his name once again. MALMESBURY MISSILE had a solid stint in KwaZulu-Natal where he showed his class and could be a big threat even if prepping for races over further. ROLAND GARROS was beaten by ALL THE RAGE but then avenged that isa 1500m race. He should not be taken lightly especially as he is in receipt of 1kg from his nemesis. Watch out for GREEN GATEWAY and MILITARY COMMAND (gelded), both are capable.
Selections:
#9 All The Rage, #11 Malmesbury Missile, #8 Roland Garros, #1 Green Gateway
Race 7
Race Summary: The Race Coast Cape Punters Cup should separate the men from the boys and show up some of the top contenders for the Grade 1 Cape Guineas. RANDOLPH HEARST gives the impression he will relish the distance but has drawn widest and will need luck. Stablemate HAPPY VERSE is another smart sort but is also drawn wide. ARISTOCRATIC has made progress over shorter and has the pedigree for it. If Grade 1 winner GOOD FOR YOU sees it out he could be hard to catch, having drawn well. FOX ON THE RUN has done little wrong and should have the run of the race from gate No 1.
Selections:
#12 Randolph Hearst, #6 Aristocratic, #1 Fox On The Run, #2 Good For You
Race 8
Race Summary: Top sprinter TENANGO is back and should be ready to fire. He is headed for bigger races but is best weighted and loves the track. CAFE CULTURE is not one to take lightly. He gave signs he could be ready to fight it out with a solid second place behind Questioning in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes. Both TEFLON MAN and GEM KING are capable of big finishes if getting the race run to suit and need to be considered for exotic bets. RAVEN BLACK and MAI SENSATION are both better than their recent performances.
Selections:
#7 Tenango, #6 Cafe Culture, #1 Teflon Man, #5 Gem King
Race 9
Race Summary: Gimmethegreenlight colt SMARTEN UP came to the fore in his third start winning well. He is quickly tried in a Class 4 Handicap and could be up to the task. GREEN GARNET had a valid excuse in his last start. He loves the course and distance, is ideally drawn and could be tough to chase down. IRELAND FOREVER is open to improvement in his second start over the distance is drawn a lot better. BLIND DATE had no extra last time but has shown ability and could improve now gelded. STAR IN MOTION battled to get into it last time but deserves another chance.
Selections:
#4 Smarten Up, #1 Green Garnet, #2 Ireland Forever, #3 Blind Date
Race 10
Race Summary: TOUCHED BY ANGELS looks to be going about things the right way. He can follow up on handicap debut after running out an easy winner on local debut. POMP IT UP proved no threat when taken over further in his last start. He could bounce back to best back over the sprint trip. RHYDIAN preferred being back to his best distance. He wasn't disgraced behind a promising filly and could build on the performance. AZZURRI met high-class Gimmie Rules last time and could show the strength of that form. MAURITIUS KESTREL has drawn well again and must be included.
Selections:
#7 Touched By Angels, #6 Pomp It Up, #8 Rhydian, #5 Azzurri
Best Win: #7 TENANGO
Best Value Bet: #4 SMARTEN UP
Best Longshot: #4 SMARTEN UP
