Best Bet: UNION ARMY (Race 8)
Value Bet: MARKWELL DREAMER (Race 5)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
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1 |
6 |
9 |
9 |
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2 |
4 |
2 |
11 |
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10 |
11 |
5 |
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7 |
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1 |
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Cost: R90.00
Race 5
MARKWELL DREAMER has finished second in his last five runs over this sprint trip, the latest when 2.3L behind the winner, but he was slow away that day and then came three wide approaching the home turn. He made good late progress in that event and from draw six, he will be hoping to go one better today. As such, he is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.
TROIKA has won two of his last three starts, the latest over five furlongs, putting three and a half lengths between himself and the opposition. He struck the front at the 200M mark and then fought off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide draw twelve, but he should be doing his best work late.
BAYEZID jumped awkwardly and then overraced in the early and middle stages, but still stayed on well to finish fifth last time out over five furlongs, 2.3L back from the victor. He returns from a 20-week break but has had the two barrier trials, finishing second in the first and winning the latest and whilst drawn wide in gate seventeen, he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy. He will have Zac Lloyd, son of ex-SA champion jockey, Jeff Lloyd in the irons to aid his cause.
Race 6
There are two unraced runners in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether either of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for either, or both, should be respected. Of the raced runners SURF ON TURF may prove to be the best. He had solid form prior to being a tad disappointing when finishing eighth last time out over seven furlongs, five and a half lengths back from the victor, but he did jump awkwardly on that occasion and then overraced in front. Understandably he had noting much to offer over the closing stages and on that effort, he should enjoy the drop in distance. The gelding returns from a 28-week break, but has had the two barrier trials, winning the first and finishing second in the latest. From his wide draw nine, he will be looking to bounce back to his better form.
JUST AN UPSTART jumped awkwardly bumping another runner, but recovered quickly to race up with the leaders, before being run out of it just short of the wire. He has pulled a handy gate three and will have his peak run after returning from a 17-week rest.
SILENT RAINDROPS is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over six furlongs, 4.2L back from the winner. She was returning from a 17-week absence that day and dwelt at the start, before racing just behind the leaders and staying on well over the latter stages. She is drawn wideish in gate eight, but she should be included in all bets.
Race 7
LA PITTRICE is a 3yr old filly taking on males, but she has only had the two runs to date, finishing fourth over 1100M first time out and then showing the expected improvement to win at the second time of asking over the same trip, albeit by just a short-head. She shifted out shortly after the start, becoming unbalanced, so that effort was encouraging. She would have come on further with that run under her belt and notwithstanding a wideish gate eight, she could chalk up a quick double.
BORDER CONTROL has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when fifth over six furlongs, 1.2L behind the winner, but it should be noted that he had to be checked at the 800M mark and then eased at the 600M pole, so he had his excuses. He faces a wide gate ten, but with better luck in running, he should be right up there when they hit the line.
LONDON had his consistency rewarded with a one-length victory last time out over 1100M. He hit the front at the 350M mark and then kept on going well over the latter stages. The gelding has his peak run since a 20-week break and joining his new yard. From a useful draw three, he should turn in another honest performance here.
Race 8
UNION ARMY has consistent formlines to his name, winning his last start over 1300M by 2.3L despite being bumped shortly after the start and only seeing daylight at the 150M mark, before finishing off his race strongly. The form of that race has stood up well with four runners out of that contest subsequently winning. He does return from a 20-week spell, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials and from gate six, he is taken to be the best bet on the day’s program.
TOESONTHENOSE jumped awkwardly and came four wide into the home stretch when finishing third in his latest outing over 1300M, just over two lengths adrift of the victor. He is drawn one outside the top pick and could be his biggest threat.
BUDHWAR has finished third in his last two runs, the latest over six furlongs, just under a half-length off the winner. The gelding was the joint leader throughout that event and then stayed on well over the closing stages. From gate five, he should be involved in the finish.
