The card opener is a competitive maiden by Darryl Moore sends out Quentasia who has put in two good recent efforts on the poly and from a handy draw should make a bold bid. She could be one of the better bets on the card. Madame Zee looks the pick of Gary Rich’s two runners. Both are struggling to shed their maidens but Madame Zee has been consistent of late and was close-up over course and distance last time out and can go one better. An Air Of Pride went walkabout in the betting last run but was not far back in first time blinkers. She could prove better on the poly over this shorter trip. Kyniska is another struggling maiden but has not been far back of late and has a good money chance.
Michael Roberts switches Future Flo to the poly in the second but he has some promising form on the turf. He steps up in trip but was narrowly beaten last run and can go one better. Stable companions Helsinki and Hiawatha Goldberg both showed marked improvement first up in the poly. Helsinki has been improving with each run and from the best of the draw should make a bold bid for Paul Lafferty. Laudato is lightly raced but showed up well going this trip for the first time. He too makes his poly debut but should be right there.
Pixie In Love has been struggling in the maidens but has been much improved at her last two when tried in a tongue-tie. Her best recent effort has been on the poly so Paul Gadsby will be hopeful. Dymondia was only run out of it late when making her poly debut from a wide draw and the blinkers removed. The extra 100m will suit while When Evening Comes jumps from a wide gate but has consistent form on this surface. Alyson Wright has stepped her up in trip and if she stays, she will be involved in the finish. Ntombenhle goes well over course and distance and has Richard Fourie aboard.
The fourth is another competitive handicap. Banzai Pipeline is seldom far back of late and goes well over course and distance. He has been up against slightly stronger at recent starts and Richard Fourie takes over from the apprentice. Master Of Law steps up in trip but was touched off on the poly last time out. The extra should not be a problem while Head Gardener is likely to make the pace after making sudden improvement in blinkers and a 4kg claimer up. Similar tactics could see him back up. Justfortheepenny is always game. He steps up in class but has the best of the draw and a handy galloping weight.
Shaken Not Stirred has been knocking on the door for some time now but found one too good for her last Wednesday but the step up in trip and the 4kg claiming apprentice up could see her go one better. Ingakara finished ahead of Shaken No Stirred when last they met, a neck between them. MJ Odendaal’s mare has enjoyed a drop in the handicap and from a good draw should run well again. Givers Grace has not been far back at recent outings in some fairly competitive company. The blinkers come off and with 1.5kg relief from the saddle one must fancy her chances. Stable companion Eau De Vie takes a big jump in trip but judged on pedigree this is probably what she is looking for and can upset.
In the sixth, Kingsmeads Krystal has dropped steadily in the handicap and now drops in class. She has the best of the draw over per preferred trip and could prove good value. Poppy Of Bayeux has been consistent over shorter but has been running on a little too late so the extra furlong and first time blinkers should make her competitive. Quanabi won well over course and distance last run and that form has been franked which puts her into the picture along with Flower Festival who is now 1.5kg better off with Quanabi for a length beating.
The seventh is a tough handicap but Kittyboy’s Girl was a close-up fourth last run and that form has worked out well. Down in class she should do well in this company. Gelsomnia is way better than her last run. She gets a five-pound relief from the handicapper and that could be enough to make her competitive again. Alittlebitnaughty made good improvement with a tongue-tie and pacifiers. She was taking on much stronger so got a six-pound rise in the handicap which could make things a little more difficult this time around.
Louis Goosen’s stable is in good form of late and Quiz Master was run out of it late last start and the drop in trip could suit. Phaka Imali needed his last run and should come on from that effort while the trio oof Majorca Palace, Drogarati and Anotherdayinafrica finished on top of each other when last they met. They are also drawn alongside each other which could make for some interesting tactics.
