Race 1
4 WALK WITH ME looks to be the best bet on the card. He was hopelessly unlucky in his last start when being beaten on the line despite being held up for a run for most of the final 400m. He stands out on the card and could kickstart the day for punters. Biggest dangers could be 2 MASTEROFTHEDESERT; 7 RAFA BAY and 6 SPARE who has been gelded.
(Devon Pretorius: 4-2-7-6)
Race 2
1 SCARLET MACAW jumps from gate 1 which is a huge bonus at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and brings consistent form to the race. She should fight it out with 2 PRISCILLA MAISEY who is drawn right next to her. The latter finished third in the Listed East Cape Fillies Nursery and it could be worth siding with her if she can repeat that sort of a run against weaker company here. 3 I’M SO PRITTI showed big improvement in her second start, and she should continue that trend here. Watch for improvement from 13 SPOIL YOURSELF if she can overcome the wide draw.
(Devon Pretorius: 2-1-3-13)
Race 3
7 PENTOLINA should be a winner by now, but she has been her own worst enemy. Almost all of her starts she has found traffic problems or raced wide and is clearly a filly long overdue a win. She’s given another chance here to shed the maiden tag followed by 10 FROM A DISTANCE who is drawn widest of all trying 1400m for the first time. She’s finished runner-up in her last two starts and should fight it out if she appreciates the step up in trip. 1 WHITE WATERS is drawn well and could feature as well as 3 PLAYFUL JOULES who impressed on debut.
(Devon Pretorius: 7-10-1-3)
Race 4
There should be a lot of support for 2 ARBITRATION who caught the eye on debut and looks like a smart sort in the making. However, a chance is taken on the experienced 8 MR BELVEDERE who was once rated an 81 in the maiden ranks and clearly showed a bit of ability. If he races handy, I think he can be a big danger to Arbitration and could have generous each way odds. 7 CLIFF SWALLOW could be slightly better at Hollywoodbets Durbanville and should finish in the first three. 3 APACHE CHIEF can round up the quartets from a good draw.
(Devon Pretorius: 8-2-7-3)
Race 5
9 JET TO THE SUN has always had the impression of being better than where she’s currently and this could be the right race for her despite top weight. 10 SANSA STARK looks like the biggest danger dropping in trip back to 1400m after a few starts over further. 8 UNITED WE STAND off a light weight should make her presence felt as well as 4 JET GREEN who has the benefit of the best draw out of the selections. If she can beat the wide draw, 12 LUCKY THIRTEEN must be respected after trying her luck against winners last time out and is now in open maiden company with bottom weight.
(Devon Pretorius: 9-10-8-4)
Race 6
2 MIDWAY is a strong first selection. His style of running should suit the country course and is weighted to beat most of the field except for 5 ETOILEFILLANTE who based on the Tsunami Warning formline, holds Midway. 6 JACK IN THE GREEN and 4 CONGRESSMAN should complete the quartet.
(Devon Pretorius: 2-5-6-4)
Race 7
Wide open race and it is suggested to take the field to survive the exotics. 5 BECKY SHARP was not disgraced first run out the maidens when finishing second behind Night Vigil. She only has 55,5kgs to shoulder and seems to be quite progressive. 1 PHILOSOPHISE jumps from gate 1 and has only missed the quartet once in her last 4 starts. She does drop quite a bit in trip, but she is versatile enough to win a race of this nature. 12 SHE’S MY CAPTAIN is going to need all the luck in the world from draw 12 but she can’t be ruled out with the booking of Richard Fourie. 8 LITTLE MISS PINK must be respected and shouldn’t be far off. Include all of 11 FLYING V; 10 TEQUILLA SKY and 4 STRATA.
(Devon Pretorius: 5-1-12-8)
Race 8
8 WORDSWORTH and 5 TAMBOURINE MAN should fight this out with a preference for the former. Ignore his last two starts and he holds strong form especially over this trip whereas Tambourine Man, who is ultra consistent, won an open maiden with 55kgs. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Tambourine Man follow up, but he now must shoulder 60kgs with Wordsworth first run out the maidens. 7 LOVERS LANE and 2 XPLICIT CONTENT can make up the quartet.
(Devon Pretorius: 8-5-7-2)
Race 9
Wide open race to finish the day and a case can be made for a few runners. However, this could be where the value lies on the day with 4 MISS NEW YORK who loves the wet conditions. She quickened up well last time out and from a good draw in a similar field that she met last time, she could upset at a good each way price. 3 IM THE BUZZ made a good local debut when finishing runner up and must be respected with natural improvement expected. 8 FLY TO RIO and 9 VERONIQUE should be involved in the finish as well as 7 ETERNAL OPTIMIST who drops in trip. (Devon Pretorius: 4-3-8-9)
