Race 1:
The William Longsword gelding (1) NORTH POINT was ultra-impressive when winning his last start and looks set to follow up here. (2) AMEN CORNER won a good race on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville last month. She has obvious scope for further improvement but bumps a potentially above average sort in North Point. (5) ORBIT made an auspicious winning debut back in December before fluffing his lines in his subsequent outing. He returns from a three month break and may have freshened up nicely. (7) IRELAND FOREVER drops in class from his moderate Nursery effort and can be competitive here.
Selection: (1-2-5-7).
Race 2:
(8) BETTER MAN showed good improvement in his second start over this trip and gets the services of Gavin Lerena. (2) Randolph Hearst finished a well beaten third on debut but this blue-blooded colt will come on leaps and bounds with the benefit of that experience and will appreciate the step up in trip. (4) NEW WORLD brings decent form into the race and was not far behind Better Man when they met last month. (6) SUPPOSEYOU’VEHEARD comes out of that same form line and was right on top of Better Man and New World at the finish. Richard Fourie now takes the ride which is a positive and he can turn the form around.
Selection: (8-2-4-6).
Race 3:
There is every chance a newcomer can win this, the opening leg of the Place Accumulator, so keep a close eye on the betting. (1) UKUDUMA is a very well-bred daughter of Vercingetorix and Lerena rides for the Marshall stable. (3) Fourie has been engaged to ride the debutante LOWVELD LILY for the Snaith team and is also very nicely related. (7) WINTER GAMBLE has been placed in three of her five starts but appears limited and could be vulnerable to a market springer. (2) RUBY REX has shown some promise and may prefer returning to the straight course following a disappointing last effort at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Selection: (1-3-7-2).
Race 4:
(11) OCOTILLO faces a tricky draw in this 1400m contest but appears to bring the best form into the race and high-riding Craig Zackey retains the ride. (7) HUNGA TONGA was a close second behind Wehaveasituation towards the end of last month and on that form there is not much to choose between Ricky Maingard’s filly and (12) MISS WILLIAM who was third then and is now 1kg better off in this Open Maiden. (1) CHAMPAGNE BLAZE is a very well related juvenile from the Marshall stable and the daughter of Vercingetorix has cracked pole position. Any market support must be respected.
Selection: (11-7-12-1).
Race 5:
Competitive Open Maiden over 1700m. (4) DRICUS may represent the quality here and is expected to show further progress after finishing second over 1400m last time. (9) TUNGUSKA ran a good race over 1600m last month and the form of that race has been franked. (10) PAST AND PRESENT is holding form well having been runner-up in his last three outings and rates a clear chance again. (12) SHOW OFF is lightly raced and may have scope for further improvement over the added trip.
Selection: (4-9-10-12).
Race 6:
The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained (2) ENGLISH MISTRESS is a long time but very consistent maiden and from a good draw and with Andrew Fortune in the saddle she could exit the maiden ranks here. (5) SWEETSUMMERLOVE is slowly coming to hand and could get into the mix. (6) BENEATH THE CLOUDS is seldom far back and rates a clear chance in this limited field. (16) LUCKY THIRTEEN has a wide draw to overcome but comes into the race with a very low mass and could make her presence felt. (7) SPECIAL GLAMOUR may have more to come as she steps up in trip.
Selection: (2-5-6-16).
Race 7:
The Canford Cliffs colt (6) UMFULA is on a hat trick and was a dominant winner over this course and distance last time out. (9) KWITE A KING is holding his form well and will appreciate going a touch further than in recent starts. (8) BOUNCEBACK ran third over 1800m last time and is still relatively unexposed, so can improve further. (7) TOTHEMOONANDBACK is 3kgs better off with Umfula for a three-length beating which should bring the pair a lot closer together. (2) HELIOTROPE has the form to win a race of this nature and is well treated at the weights,
Selection: (6-9-8-7).
Race 8:
Competitive Grade 3 event over 1200m but there is lots to like about (4) TENANGO and he could claim his first Stakes success. (6) ALL OUT FOR SIX won the richly endowed Big Cap over 1400m last time and is a classy 3yo. He could be equally competitive over this slightly shorter trip. (10) LION RAMPART has been a touch disappointing recently but this will be his peak run and he could bounce back. (1) GEM KING has found a new lease of life but is now 2kgs worse off with Tenango which could sway the outcome in the latter’s favour. (11) DANCE VARIETY went wrong in his last start back in December but on best form would have an undeniable chance in this line-up.
Selection: (4-6-10-1).
Race 9:
Open race but (8) OCTOBER FEST should be ready to produce her best and will appreciate stepping back in trip. (10) SHE’S GOT CLASS ran a terrific race first up out the maidens and a repeat of that performance will see her go close here. (4) FROM A DISTANCE is far better than her recent form suggests and could pose a threat. (2) NOODSBERG was a runaway winner of her maiden back in November but could need this run and a stiffer test of stamina.
Selection: (8-10-4-2).
Race 10:
Hardest race on the card. (17) TOUGH TERRAIN has the right form but his chances may be compromised by being drawn on the wrong side of the track. (12) ALL ABOUT AL has useful course and distance form and will be thereabouts at the finish. (9) FIRINGONALLENGINES is very quick and he brings good consistent form into the race. (11) MAJOR MASTER is very classy but prefers a touch further. However, he could be a factor in this line-up. There are many other with chances and punters will need to cast their nets wide, particularly as the possible track bias in this large field could be a determining factor.
Selection: (17-12-9-11).
