Best Bet: PERPIGNAN (Race 9)
Value Bet: BADGE (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 6 – 9).
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
5 |
4 |
4 |
10 |
|
2 |
2 |
2 |
11 |
|
6 |
6 |
11 |
|
|
1 |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost: R96.00
Race 6.
There are four unraced runners in the field, so as is always the case in these types of races, a keen eye should be kept on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether any of the connection believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, SELOUS may prove to be the best. He finished seventh on debut over six furlongs, just over four and a half length behind the winner, but that was at a stronger center. He had nothing go his way that day, jumping awkwardly and racing green throughout, before being crowded at the 50M mark. He returns from a 20 week rest, but has had the two barrier trials, finishing third in the first and winning the latest. From draw five, he should be right up there when they hit the line.
BOY LOVES TO RUN finished sixth first time out and then made the expected improvement to finish third next time out over the same c&d, just a half length behind the winner. He showed plenty of toe that day, but shifted out sharply at the 150M mark hindering the second and third placed runner and the resultant objection against him was duly upheld and he was relegated to third spot. The gelding gets gate seven and will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle today. In addition, gets cheek pieces fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.
WRITROSE is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but her saddle slipped when ending up in nineth place last time out over six furlongs, just under five and a half lengths behind the winner and she was found to be lame after that race and was immediately rested for 20 weeks. She returns here after two barrier trials where she finished fourth in the first and won the latest. She will have to deal with a wide draw nine, but she should give the males a good run for their money.
Race 7.
As with the previous race, there are a number of unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well. LONRIOLI is a 3yr old filly taking on males who finished fourth on debut over 1100M and then tried to go from jump to wire when ending up in second place next time out over 1300M, 1.8L back from the victor. She stayed on well that day and would have come on further with that run under her belt and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the one that they all have to beat, jumping from a handy draw two.
FLOATING was returning from a 27 week break when jumping awkwardly and found himself towards the back of the field before finishing well to end up in fifth place last time out over 1300M, just under a length and a half off the winner, but he did hang out over the final 100M. He faces a wide draw eleven, but he should be doing his best work late.
GULF OF LION put his disappointing penultimate effort over six furlongs behind him when finishing eighth last time out over six furlongs, 3.3L behind the winner, when returning from a 32 week absence. He jumped awkwardly that day and then raced green throughout, so that effort was encouraging. The gelding will have to negotiate a wide gate nine, but nevertheless, he should be included in all bets.
Race 8.
As with the previous two races, there are a number of unraced runners in this contest, so the same comment in respect of keeping an eye on the betting moves applies here as well. However, the day’s value bet, BADGE did not get the clearest of passages in the home straight when finishing sixth first time out over six furlongs, 1.7L off the winner. The colt will have learnt from that outing and with the natural improvement that should be forthcoming, he could give the trainer/jockey combination of James Cunningham and Jean van Overmeir two legs of the Jackpot, should the top pick win the first leg.
PELSAERT has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three runs, the latest when eighth over 1500M, 3.7L adrift of the victor, but he raced wide without cover that day, before coming four wide into the home stretch. He has pulled a useful draw three and will have a set of blinkers refitted. If this move has the desired effect, he should be a big runner here. OFFSPRING is a 3yr old filly taking on boys. She finished fourth first time out over 1300M, just under two and a half lengths behind the winner, but she did jump awkwardly that day, before finishing her race off well. She has her first run since a 16 week rest and has not had the benefit of a barrier trial, so her fitness will have to be taken on trust and is drawn the widest of them all in gate sixteen, but given how she raced first time out, she is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.
Race 9.
Two 3yr old and a 4yr old filly could fight out the finish to this race and secure the trifecta, but the day’s best bet, PERPIGNAN is taken to lead the field home. She has put in two solid last starts, finishing second over 1100M in her penultimate run and then putting 2.8L between herself and the opposition when winning her maiden race last time out over 1300M, despite hanging in all the way down the home straight. She has cracked pole position and could provide James Cunningham with a third winner in the Jackpot.
MISS THATCHER followed up her penultimate run victory over six furlongs with a sixth place finish next time out when stepping up to seven furlongs, 2.2L back from the winner, but she did hang in all the way down the home stretch in that contest. She on the other hand faces a wide draw eleven, but she should use her early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
EXTREME GEM won over six furlongs three runs back and finished eighth last time out over six furlongs, just under four and a half lengths behind the winner, when returning from a 25 week spell. She was however bumped shortly after the start that day and the hung in all the way down the home straight, with her jockey not persevering with his ride over the latter stages. From draw seven, she will be hoping to bounce back to some of her better form today.
