Best Bet: RESISTIBLE (Race 7)
Value Bet: CATAPULT (Race 6)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
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1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
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11 |
9 |
5 |
4 |
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6 |
7 |
10 |
10 |
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3 |
4 |
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1 |
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1 |
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8 |
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Cost: R90.00
Race 5
There are six 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 connections believe that they can win first-time out. Any betting support for a runner or runners should be respected. Of the raced runners, EVELYN MAY may well prove to be the best. She is a filly taking on the boys, but she stayed on well when finishing fourth on debut over six furlongs, just over two and a half lengths behind the winner. She would have learnt from that experience and with the natural improvement that can be expected, she could be the one that they all have to beat. She will have to negotiate a wide draw eleven, but she should she be doing her best work late.
KING COLORADO also finished fourth first time out over six furlongs, but three lengths back from the winner. He battled all the way down to the wire that day and would have come on further with that run under his belt. He faces an even wider draw thirteen, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
CAPE SIZE stayed on well when finishing fifth on debut over six furlongs, five lengths adrift of the victor and would have improved with that experience. The colt has finished fourth in a subsequent barrier trial and has a kinder gate six. He gets cheekpieces fitted for the first time and if these have the desired effect, he should be a big runner here.
Race 6
CATAPULT has turned in two solid last efforts and had to be switched at the 300M mark to get a clear run before ending up in second place last time out over seven furlongs, 1.3L off the winner. The gelding has pulled gate five and is taken to be the value bet on the day’s card.
SURFERS ROYALE is seldom far off the action, finishing fifth last time out over 1300M, three and a half lengths back from the winner, but he hung on throughout that contest, so he had his excuses. The gelding has a handy draw three and should be right up there when they hit the line.
INVINCIBLE DASH had his consistency rewarded with a victory last time out over six furlongs, albeit by just a head. He was returning from a 21-week break that day, which was clearly exactly what he had needed. The gelding has a wideish draw eight, but nevertheless should not be lightly ignored.
Race 7
Two 3yr old fillies could fight out the finish to this race and complete the exacta, but the day’s best bet, RESISTIBLE is taken to lead the field home. She has consistent formlines to her name and tried to go from jump to wire when ending up in fourth spot last time out over 1300M, just a length behind the winner. She will have to deal with a wide draw eleven, but will have ex-SA jockey Keagan Latham in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
ALLASANDRA on the other hand has cracked pole position and won her maiden race last time out over 1300M by 1.3L, despite being bumped shortly after the start. The form of that race has been franked and she is an inmate of ex-SA jockey/trainer David Payne yard.
SIDEREAL was hampered at the start and hung out from the 200M pole when finishing third in his latest outing over a mile, 1.7L behind the winner. He returns after a 73-week spell, but has had three barrier trials, winning the last two and has his first run for his new trainer. If fully settled into his new surroundings, he should give a good account of himself here and the fact that his connections have brought him back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that he still has something more to offer them.
Race 8
IRON MAN followed up his penultimate run victory over 1300M with a third-place finish next time out over 1300M, just under a half-length back from the winner. He came three wide into the home stretch that day but still stayed on well over the closing stages. The gelding will have to overcome a wide gate sixteen, but he will be hoping to bounce back to winning ways today.
NOBLE BEAUTY is a 4yr old filly taking on males, but she has consistent formlines to her credit, finishing third last time out over seven furlongs, 1.3L back from the victor. She has her peak run after returning from a 19-week rest and should put her pole position to good use.
FLASHING STEEL struck the front at the 300M mark and then held off all the late challengers in the dash down to the wire to win his last start over 1500M by 1.3L. He faces a wide draw eighteen out of nineteen, but on the plus side, he will get 2kgs taken off his back thanks to his claiming apprentice and should be included in all bets.
