Race 1
Race Summary: PLUMBAGO PARK has finished 2nd in both Highveld appearances and won't need to improve much on either effort to open her account. PRINCESS OF ALL disappointed last time but need only bounce back to the form of her promising debut performance to play a leading role. TAKING A RISK should make her presence felt too if confirming the improvement of her last start. Newcomers DUCHESS ZAHRA and KATYA KABANOVA are worth a market check and don't need to be special to have a say on debut.
Selections:
#1 Plumbago Park, #11 Princess Of All, #3 Taking A Risk, #9 Duchess Zahra
Race 2
Race Summary: SEED SEEKER would not be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds, but he will be challenged by TEMPRANILLO who is closely matched on the form of a recent 1160m meeting. STONEYWOOD made no impression on debut but was fancied that day, so he should not be overlooked after a subsequent gelding operation. POWER OF TIGER has earning potential too after an improved last start.
Selections:
#1 Seed Seeker, #7 Tempranillo, #5 Stoneywood, #6 Power Of Tiger
Race 3
Race Summary: FUTURE SUCCESS, BLOOD OF EDEN and AMAZE ME are engaged to run at an earlier meeting but would have legitimate claims if taking their places in this lineup. However, preference is for FRANGIPANI who was only touched off last time by a progressive 3yo rival who won consecutive subsequent starts. TOTAL ERUPTION and WAR TALK are open to improvement over this extended trip so they could get into the picture too.
Selections:
#3 Frangipani, #2 Blood Of Eden, #6 Total Eruption, #4 Chickasaw
Race 4
Race Summary: Stablemates MOUNT DARWIN and class-dropper TWENTY DRACHMA'S have the form and experience at this level to be competitive off their current marks. Last-start winner DARK SILVER should have a role to play in the outcome under a lenient 2-point penalty. JORDAN finished behind that rival over 1600m in late October but is 1.5kg better off and will find this trip more to his liking so he may represent the value in his peak outing. Hard-knockers KUDZU, AMERICAN REBEL and ROBERT BROWNING are others capable of getting into the picture. Improving 3yo OLYMPIAN GOLD is dangerous under bottom weight.
Selections:
#3 Jordan, #5 Dark Silver, #1 Mount Darwin, #14 Olympian Gold
Race 5
Race Summary: TAKE NO PRISONERS bounced back to form with a fast-finishing 3rd over 1800m last time when fitted with blinkers (retained) and on the evidence of that performance, this extended trip should be more to his liking. PEACE TREATY ran on from the rear to finish ahead of that rival and is 1kg better off, so he is weighted to confirm that form. Veteran BANHA BRIDGE and maturing MAJALUN are also closely matched on recent form and both have the means to remain competitive. Hard-knockers ARLINGTON ACTION, TRIDENT KING and NUCLEAR FORCE cannot be discounted at this level either.
Selections:
#5 Peace Treaty, #3 Take No Prisoners, #10 Majalun, #1 Banha Bridge
Race 6
Race Summary: Several of these are engaged to run at an earlier meeting but have legitimate claims in this lineup too, they include TIGER STORM, MISTY METAL, TIME FOR CHARITY and DARING ACT. Honest hard-knockers PHALA MILLIONS and CAPTAIN EFFICIENT are closely matched on recent form and neither would be winning out of turn. Veteran JET CAT continues to run well and can give another competitive account of himself.
Selections:
#4 Phala Millions, #6 Captain Efficient, #3 Misty Metal, #11 Jet Cat
Race 7
Race Summary: MISTER WILSON improved to win over 1200m at this level last time and another competitive showing is expected, as his rider's 4kg allowance more than negates the resultant 4-point penalty. ANTONIO GAUDI is weighted to turn the tables on that rival but has less scope for improvement. CLEVER TREVOR and MY LUCKY CHARM were gelded recently and are open to improvement, neither should be underestimated. RED PENNY has found form and consistency after dropping in the ratings so he should play a leading role off a reduced mark.
Selections:
#7 Red Penny, #1 Mister Wilson, #8 Antonio Gaudi, #4 Clever Trevor
Race 8
Race Summary: Thriving ARGO ALLEY copped a 3-point penalty for winning last time but that seems lenient, given the runner-up has subsequently won and finished 2nd at Grade 2 level, and his rider's 4kg claim will help. DYLAN'S CHAMP impressed when winning over track and trip last time but he earned a hefty 9-point penalty which will complicate matters. Best-weighted fillies GERBERA and LAST CAR TO PASS have the form and experience at this level to be competitive, while versatile hard-knockers BOB'S YOUR UNCLE and MASTERSHIP also have the means to make their presence felt.
Selections:
#1 Argo Alley, #9 Dylan's Champ, #4 Mastership, #8 Gerbera
Race 9
Race Summary: Many with chances in a big field. Stablemates GUERILLA WARFARE and GAMER remain competitive off their current ratings, while improving last-start maiden winner AMANDLA NGAWETHU could be better than his opening handicap mark. Recent course-and-distance winner OKLAHOMA TWISTER is closely matched with runner-up VAVA VEGAS and both will likely have a say in the outcome. GOLDEN ASPEN is another with legitimate each-way credentials.
Selections:
#2 Guerilla Warfare, #6 Oklahoma Twister, #10 Gamer, #14 Vava Vegas
Best Win: #1 PLUMBAGO PARK
Best Value Bet: #3 JORDAN
Best Longshot: #3 JORDAN
