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New Paper
05-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 6 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,400m) (3) EIGHT HATS did not go unnoticed in a Grade 1 over 1,200m last time, staying on well after early interference to be beaten a little over five lengths. On the evidence of that performance, she could have more to offer stretching out to this distance. (9) OPEN SESAME would have come on from her debut third in a 2YO fillies race over 1,160m at Turffontein, and should have a strong say in this. (1) ALTA CAPITANA was outrun late by (7) PRINCESS KEIRA over course and distance last time but should turn the tables on 2kg better terms. The latter is a Reserve Runner in a 2yo Grade 2 on HWB Durban July day. Race 2 (1,400m) This extended distance will likely favour (4) SHADOWFAX who is good value to confirm his superiority over (2) JAN VAN GOYEN whom he beat late by three parts of a length over 1,160m at Turffontein last time even if the latter is weighted to avenge that defeat on 3kg better terms. (1) BLIZZARD QUEST justified market support when stepped up in trip on his reappearance as a gelding at Greyville over 1,600m, and should have more to offer, even with the step back in trip. Mike and Adam Azzie's maiden (7) RADIO STAR, second in both starts over this course and distance, is not taken lightly in receipt of 3kg. Gavin Lerena sticking with him is a solid pointer. Race 3 (1,600m) (4) RADICCHIO had excuses for finishing behind that rival last time and deserves a reward for his consistency. (2) FIRE 'N FLAMES was outclassed in a KZN Grade 1 last month but will be more competitive at this level under these conditions. (6) SILENT WAR has a bit to find at the weights but is dangerous to discount under 50kg. (3) GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE has found form recently and another three-point drop in the ratings should stand him in good stead. Race 4 (1,000m) Promising 2yo (4) CONSTELLATION was not winning out of turn last time when fitted with a tongue-tie. With further headway, he could be leniently treated, so it could pay to follow his progress. Older rivals (2) IT'S PERSONAL and (3) HEMISPHERE are closely matched. Both have form and experience to test the youngster. Returning (1) SEA WOLF completes the shortlist. Race 5 (1,100m) (1) CHASING HAPPINESS and (8) WHISTLE THE TUNE acquitted themselves very well in a 1,200m Grade 1 five weeks ago. The latter finished a close-up fourth and 1.10 lengths ahead of her familiar foe who is 2.5kg better off. Both will play leading roles if reproducing those performances. Consistent (7) QUANTUM THEORY deserves to get his head in front after three consecutive runner-up finishes, while course-and-distance winner (6) DREAMLAND also has legitimate each-way credentials. Race 6 (1,800m) (2) WAR REPORTER sparked signs of improvement last time when finishing fourth having dropped slightly in the ratings. So another forward showing is expected off a slightly reduced mark. (6) ROSY LEMON should not be written off, especially over a distance she enjoys. She has been a real model of consistency. (3) FUTUREWOLFF and (5) FLAG BEARER are also consistent and versatile hard-knockers with the form and experience over this trip to trouble the selection. Race 7 (1,800m) (1) FIRE ATTACK ran second in a course-and-distance Grade 1 before beating older rivals en route to Grade 1 glory in March. Grade 3 Sea Cottage Stakes is up his alley. (3) CHOISAANADA is bidding to complete the Highveld's 3yo Winter Series clean sweep. On the evidence of his first and second leg victories over HWB Durban July runners Immediate Edge and Confederate, he could be better suited to this extended distance. (4) KAMENSKY is a mile specialist who has always held his own in this type of company. There is no reason why he cannot handle the rise in distance by another 200m. (6) PUMPKIN PIE is another progressive sort who is not without a say in this.
New Paper
07-05-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 8 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,450m) (4) GULF OF AMERICA and (7) JAPANESE GARDEN stayed on well in a winners' race on debut over 1,160m and both would have benefited from that experience. (2) BOLD ACTION and (9) OPERA FAN have the form and experience to play leading roles, too. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomer (3) FAIR PROPOSAL. Race 2 (1,450m) (1) CHRONICLE KING ran second on debut over track and trip behind a subsequent winner. Can go one better with that experience to count on. (8) SCARLETT HEART can be competitive, especially in receipt of a sex allowance. Recently gelded (6) ROYALE JACKET is best judged on his debut performance. Watch the betting on imported youngster (7) TASKMASTER. Race 3 (1,200m) (7) EIGHT HATS will be hard to beat if she takes her place in this. (2) GENOVEFA and (6) RENDEVOUS IN RIO have shown enough to trouble the selection, although well-bred newcomer (10) RACHEL WALL need not be special to also make her presence felt. Race 4 (1,600m) (1) ART NOUVEAU and (3) SHAMOON have the form and experience to play leading roles but are vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. (2) NKWENKWEZI would not be winning out of turn and need not improve much in first-time blinkers to open her account. (9) ETHICAL ran an improved third against males last time and remains open to further progress. (8) REFLECTIVE did not go unnoticed on debut. Has a say. Race 5 (2,000m) (8) KUDZU scored in his only 2,000m appearance and is good value to preserve that 100 per cent record over this distance. (10) TOTAL SURRENDER is weighted to be competitive, especially in first-time blinkers. (5) STAR COIN has a good record over this trip. Keep safe. (9) CLAW, (12) FETCHING FLYER and (13) JORDAN have each-way chances. Race 6 (1,450m) (4) SAIL THE SKY was rewarded for consistency with a last-start success at a higher level. However, it is worth noting that Gavin Lerena gets off that runner to ride (5) CALL ME MASTER. (1) AFTER HOURS and (2) CALIDA have the form and experience at this level to do well. Race 7 (1,450m) (2) NIGHT BOMBER finished behind (6) BOB'S YOUR UNCLE before beating (9) PRESSONREGARDLESS, (8) BIOFARMER and (4) MAX THE MAGICIAN last time. There should be little separating the quintet on the revised weight terms. (12) PLUS FOUR landed a betting coup over this track and trip on his Highveld debut. Another bold showing is on the cards. Race 8 (1,450m) (1) WARNING SOUND fluffed her lines last time in a stronger race but would have benefited from a subsequent 15-week absence. (5) GREGARIOUS fits a similar profile and will likely fight for victory with progress expected. (2) QUANTUM, (3) RATTLE BAG and (7) ANNEWITHAN E have the form and experience to be competitive. Race 9 (1,450m) (2) SATYAGRAHA made it start-to-finish to win over track and trip last time. It should pay to follow his progress. (1) WILLOW EXPRESS is proven at this level and has the means to play a leading role, despite conceding weight to all. Last-start winners (4) KING OF NUMBERS and (9) SUPER AWESOME remain competitive, while unexposed (8) CARS BIG AS BARS is not underestimated.
New Paper
30-04-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
May 1 SA (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) (10) VERSACE ONTHETRACK drew support and ran with promise on debut over track and trip. With natural improvement expected, should play a leading role. Newcomers (2) CHERICHERILADY and (3) GIRL IN VERDITE are worth a market check on debut, as is (6) MY EYES NEVER LIE with championship-chasing riders booked to ride. Race 2 (1,000m) (7) EIGHT HATS confirmed her debut third with a close-up second over this trip on the Inside track in open company. She could open her account. Speedy (5) TIME WILL TELL also acquitted himself well in open company last time. Chance with a similar run. Watch the betting on newcomer (3) DRAGONHEART with Gavin Lerena booked to ride. (2) CARNARVON can make his presence felt. Race 3 (1,400m) (1) ICHACHA has benefited from an encouraging comeback outing. Can fight out the finish. (6) MIRROR FLECTION stayed on for third on debut over a shorter trip. May find this distance more to his liking. Youngsters (10) MIGHTY EAGLE and newcomer (9) FIRE STARTER are also respected. Race 4 (1,400m) (1) POINTER was a fast-finishing second over this trip at a higher level last time and need only repeat that performance to capitalise on this ease in grade. (2) CAPE LIGHTS also has form and experience to fight for victory, along with progressive 3yo (5) PALACE DANCER who should play a leading role. (8) MOUNTAIN HIGH appeals most of the remainder. Race 5 (1,600m) Last-start winner (3) SAFE SPACE remains competitive but needs luck from a wide gate. (5) SPRING TRADITION and (8) THE PLAYBOY BOMBER should make their presence felt. (4) SHINTO SHRINE produced an encouraging effort after gelding. This extended distance will be more to his liking. Race 6 (2,000m) (4) AMERICAN REBEL was an authoritative winner over this trip last time. The step-up in class will not stop another bold bid. (6) ARLINGTON ACTION and (2) TO THE RESCUE have the form and experience at this level to trouble the selection. Class-dropper (7) PANNING GOLD is not taken lightly either. Race 7 (1,160m) (2) CYMRIC rallied gamely to score in this grade over the same track and trip last time. Another bold showing is expected under a two-point penalty. (4) SILVER TUDOR ran on from a hopeless position after being drawn wide. Will pose more of a threat on 2kg better terms. (3) YAMADORI has thrived since relocating to the Highveld. Deserves a win on his consistency. Hat-trick seeking (7) WARM WINTER NITE completes the shortlist. Race 8 (1,160m) (2) SECRET CHORD is ideally suited to this track and trip. He went close over 1,200m in a stronger race last time. (5) TURBO POWER is another with earning potential. (9) WAR OF KINGDOMS confirmed his debut second over track and trip with a win last time. Open to progress. (10) PRINCE OF KILDARE is worth following.
