There is a 10-race programme on offer at Turffontein this Saturday where there looks to be both some strong form choices to parlay and competitive heats in which to catch exotic bets.
Trainer Joe Soma has promising runners in the first two races, but it is in Race 1 where he could have his best chance of winning a race. Master Of My Fate colt Believe In Fate caught the eye when finishing strongly behind highly regarded One More as well as speedy Gorgeous Klein who won her next start easily.
That form line was also franked by Waheed who finished a length behind Believe In Fate, so it appears to be strong form indeed.
Piere ‘Striker’ Strydom interestingly rode Believe In Fate last time but was also aboard Beynac in his first outing who also ran a fair race in his first outing.
But on a line of form with Chocolate Soldier, Beynac will have his work cut out to beat Soma’s charge and more of a threat could come from Bourbon Reserve who is a well-related son of What A Winter.
Sean Tarry’s yard had a brilliant day last weekend winning five races, including three stakes events, and the form could continue with Bourbon Reserve, especially if the money pours on him.
Tarry certainly looks the one to beat in Race 2 with Rodeo Drive. The United States filly showed big potential on debut when after jumping slowly made up the leeway and stayed on strongly to finish second. The horse who beat her, Simply Majestic, is headed for the big ones after she won the Grade 3 TAB Pretty Polly Stakes last Saturday.
Rodeo Drive could be even better after a four-month break and seeing as she is bred for the longer trip should have every chance of exiting the maiden ranks on her way to better things.
Soma has Fiery Pegasus, who also has a decent pedigree being by Captain Of All out of a proven Jet Master mare. She showed good pace but displayed greenness, allowing one to get away.
Muzi Yeni who rode Fiery Pegasus is now riding Khetiwe’s Destiny. His filly was not disgraced as she raced with a scalp wound, and after setting decent fractions tired late. She finished ahead of the horse that beat Fiery Pegasus, VJs Angel.
It is a race where Rodeo Drive looks worth a solid bet but catching Swingers, Exactas and Trifectas with Fiery Pegasus and Khetiwe’s Destiny looks another good option.
Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1160m, should see Wild At War come home lonely and he will be the banker bet for many. While some may be sceptical after he disappointed as favourite last time – he came back with a cut – but overall has been a bit costly. Nevertheless, barring the first-timers he has very little to beat.
Trainer Candice Dawson, who has one of the best two-year-old fillies in the land in Little Ballerina, will have been shocked he hasn’t won by now but this could be his day. There are two first-timers in the race, so follow the betting moves closely.
All of Mambo Come Tesio (Race 6), Celestial City (Race 7) and Cullinan Blue (Race 8) are from powerful yards and have plenty going for them and rate form choices in their respective heats. Mambo Come Tesio produced a powerful finish in his last start and is now back over 2400m, which is what he wants.
Beautifully bred Celestial City is headed for features in KwaZulu-Natal and perhaps a tilt at the Hollywoodbets Durban July so should be too strong for the field he meets. Cullinan Blue was unlucky to lose her last feature event and may be prepping ahead of the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, but she may still be too classy.
Clive Robinson
