25-04-2025
April 26 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,100m)
(4) GREEN DIAMOND upstaged male opposition when winning a Grade 2 over a similar trip last time. She renews rivalry with (2) KING HARALD on identical weight terms, so should have his measure again.
(6) PORRIDGE BOY is also held on that form but is weighted to get closer on these revised weight terms.
Debut winners (1) KAALVOET and (3) TIN PAN ALLEY could be anything, so could pose more of a threat. Preference is for the latter, who justified market support when beating (5) LAVA COUNTY (2kg better off) in his winning introduction.
Race 2 (3,200m)
Maturing stayer (3) MY SOUL MATE won a 2,850m Listed race last time beating several re-opposing rivals. She should, on similar weight terms, confirm her superiority over this extended distance.
Runner-up (7) EXPLOSIVE BOND is enjoys this trip but is 1.5kg worse off with her last-start conqueror.
Veteran (2) NEBRAAS and (8) TWENTY DRACHMA'S appeal most of the remainder.
Race 3 (1,160m)
(4) MIA MOO made a winning Highveld return in a course-and-distance Grade 3 event six weeks ago and a resultant five-point penalty is unlikely to prevent another forward showing.
(9) KOMATI RIVER and (6) CHROME TOURMALINE completed the trifecta positions on that occasion and are not likely to reverse that form, given the unfavourable weight turnaround.
A chance, however, is worth taking on (7) ALMOND SEA turning the tables on 4kg better terms with her last-start conqueror.
Consistent class-dropper (2) TIME FO ORCHIDS completes the shortlist.
Race 4 (2,000m)
Best-weighted older mare (2) NONE OTHER and 4YO filly (1) BEATING WINGS have the form and experience to play leading roles, especially under these conditions.
Younger rivals (6) OLIVIA'S WAY (fourth in a Grade 1 against male opposition) and familiar foe (7) WORLD OF ALICE (touched off at this level last time) receive weight from that pair and could be better than rated, so they could fight out the finish.
Both (8) COCOMELON and (9) TODOQUE have a bit to find on recent form but could take home cheques.
Race 5 (2,000m)
Filly (7) LET'S GO NOW is favourably treated by the conditions and need only run to her rating to get the better of her male opposition. She was second in an 1,800m Listed race before finishing fourth (with blinkers) over 1,600m at Grade 1 level last time. This extended distance, especially with the headgear removed, could be more to her liking.
(1) HOTARUBI is weighted to be competitive too, though a bigger threat will likely come from course-and-distance specialist (2) MARAUDING HORDE.
(6) ROYAL EDITION is not out of his depth in this.
Race 6 (1,160m)
(1) MELECH and (3) PISTOL PETE are closely matched on the form of their recent meeting in the Grade 1 Computaform Sprint over 1,000m, though the latter is marginally better off on these revised weight terms.
Last-start winners (2) MOUNT PILATUS and (4) TRUTH are thriving and should remain competitive for top honours, despite racing off career-high ratings.
Race 7 (1,600m)
(3) DOITWITHDIAMONDS has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and a five-point penalty for her recent 1,800m victory on this track should not prevent her from playing another leading role.
Fellow last-start scorer (4) KAMENSKY is progressive and could preserve his unbeaten course-and-distance record with further improvement expected, despite a six-point rating rise.
(9) TWO MILES WEST and (10) MOUNT DARWIN also have the means to get involved in the outcome.
Race 8 (1,100m)
(5) LONGSWORD edged out (7) VIBE SA in an 1,160m meeting on this course earlier in 2025. But a 1.5kg difference in the weights could swing this rematch in favour of the latter.
Last-start course-and-distance winner (12) BLIZZARD SNOW, recent maiden scorer (13) HEMISPHERE and versatile class-dropper (8) OPEN HIGHWAY (with 4kg apprentice engaged) are other genuine candidates for success.
Race 9 (1,400m)
(1) OBSIDIAN was an authoritative winner of a course-and-distance maiden five weeks ago and he need not improve much to make a winning handicap debut.
Versatile veteran (7) WRITTEN IN STONE has a useful record over this trip, so could trouble the selection, along with hard-knockers (3) GUERILLA WARFARE and (8) SAIL THE SKY.
Race 10 (1,160m)
(3) CAPTAIN EFFICIENT has strong appeals and would not be winning out of turn.
(5) PRIZED PLATINUM is closely matched with that rival on recent form but is worse off at the weights after a recent 2nd in KZN.
(2) SAKHALA IS'CATHULO and (7) MARIACHI MADNESS have the form and experience at this level to make their presence felt.
