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New Paper
11-07-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
July 12 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) (1) DAISY JONES confirmed the promise of her debut fourth over 1,500m by finishing second over 1,400m in her last start and this extended trip should unlock further progress. (2) MATCHA MINT would not be winning out of turn after three consecutive seconds, including back-to-back runner-up finishes over 1,600m. (3) REJUVENATE is closely matched with that rival, so she should play a leading role too. (6) STAMPEDE AHEAD has also shown enough to have a say in the outcome. Race 2 (1,160m) (9) SURPRISE PARTY did not go unnoticed on debut over this track and trip, despite showings signs of her inexperience. Newcomers (7) HEAVENLY GOOD, (4) COMIC ARTIST and (3) BABETTE'S FEAST are worth a market check. (1) CYBER SPIRIT has the form and experience to acquit herself competitively but is vulnerable to less-exposed rivals. Fellow 3YO filly (2) ICONIC WINTER would have benefited from a recent comeback and should have more to offer, especially on the evidence of her course-and-distance debut. Race 3 (1,160m) Well-bred newcomers (4) ECHO CHECK, (5) ECHOES OF WAR, (3) BEST CANDIDATE will not need to be special to play leading roles on debut. The same applies to (10) ONCEINABLUEMOON, who is not underestimated under bottom weight. Returning (1) AMANDLA NGAWETHU and Highveld newcomer (2) MONKEY PUZZLE are experienced older geldings vulnerable under top weight. (9) LANNYBOY would have come on from his course-and-distance debut fourth and ought to acquit himself competitively. Race 4 (1,160m) Unexposed (2) MISS ARGONAUT defied a market drift when winning at this level on her Highveld debut. She remains open to further progress and should have a bright future in the province. (1) ONE FELL SWOOP sets a good standard and boasts both the form and experience over track and trip to trouble the selection. (6) BLIZZARD SNOW and (4) KOMATI RIVER also have the means to get involved. Race 5 (1,160m) Last-start winner (8) BLINDFIRE, (7) GOLDEN ASPEN and (3) LADY OF MEMPHIS will be competitive if building on improved recent efforts. (2) VALIEVA was supported last time and had legitimate excuses for that disappointing performance, so she cannot be overlooked. (1) WE WILL ROCK YOU is out of sorts but dangerous to discount off a career-low mark and over this shorter trip under a 1.5kg-claiming apprentice. Race 6 (2,000m) (1) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL confirmed the promise of his fast-finishing debut fifth over 1,400m by winning from the front over 1,600m in his only subsequent appearance. This extended trip should be more to his liking, so it could pay to follow his progress. Well-bred class-dropper (3) DUAL PROPHECY caught the eye over track and trip last time and in his peak outing should pose a threat to the selection. (4) VOLTE FACE is another with earning potential. (5) FLAG BEARER and (9) GAMER are honest hard-knockers with the form and experience to make their presence felt too. Race 7 (1,600m) Course-and-distance specialist (9) JURY'S OUT would have tightened up after a much-needed comeback run over 1,160m and will likely fare better over this trip. (2) BACCHUS, (7) PRESLEY and (5) COMMAND PILOT are better than recent performances suggest and can take home a cheque. (1) WECANGOALLNIGHT acquitted himself competitively under 50kg in a stronger race over track and trip recently. He should have a role to play if reproducing that effort off an unchanged under 60kg. Race 8 (1,600m) Stablemates (3) BIRTHRIGHT and (7) THE PLAYBOY BOMBER are undefeated over track and trip. The latter overcame a wide draw when winning over course and distance last time in impressive fashion and is all set for another forward showing. However, preference is for the consistent former, who caught the eye with a fast-finishing fourth over 1,450m on the Inside track last month and will prefer the Standside track. (5) KING OF NUMBERS and (9) EIFFEL TOWER should be competitive for the places.
New Paper
27-06-2025
- Sport
- New Paper
June 28 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,160m) (9) STONE OF SCONE improved to finish second over track and trip last time, so she rates the one to beat. However, a bigger threat could come from well-bred newcomers (8) SISTERSHIP, (10) SURPRISE PARTY and (3) CHANTILLY DREAM. Race 2 (1,160m) (8) DETAILED FORECAST was featured prominently before tiring late on debut. She would have benefited from that experience, so could repay her followers. A handy 2.5kg sex allowance will aid her cause. (7) THE LAST DUKE fits a similar profile and should acquit himself more competitively in maiden company. Watch the betting on the newcomers, especially (3) GAVIUS MAXIMUS and stablemate (4) JABARI THIMBA. Race 3 (1,160m) This would not take much winning so, if there is no market support for either of the newcomers, then (10) FIERY ROSE can be confidently backed to open her account. She outran market expectations when finishing second over track and trip on debut before another runner-up finish last time. Newcomer (9) TITAN OF THE TURF, debutant (7) LANNYBOY and the unexposed (5) SILVER LONGSWORD could give the selection most to fear. Race 4 (1,160m) (13) WISE COUNSEL showed signs of inexperience on debut, but she did catch the eye once the penny had dropped, staying on to finish a creditable fifth over 1,000m. She would have come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience, so her progress could be worth following. (7) MASTER'S LADY and (10) SEASON'S GREETINGS will likely make their presence felt, especially if building on the improvement they showed last time. Newcomer (8) QUEENSLAND must be respected. Race 5 (1,000m) Competitive sprint handicap. (4) RODEO DRIVE has been sparingly raced as a 3YO after a productive 2YO campaign that included a second at Grade 1 level. Predominantly raced in feature races since, she remains open to improvement and is worth siding with on her handicap debut, even against older hard-knocking male rivals. Stablemate (6) CHIEFTAIN also has room to improve. (5) ONE FELL SWOOP should not be taken lightly. Race 6 (1,000m) The lightly raced (2) BOURBON RESERVE has exhibited respiratory issues, but those may have been resolved during the 10-week break after a disappointing last start. Judging on the strength and consistency of his earlier form, coupled with the likelihood of improvement in just his sixth appearance, he is good value to score on his return in these calmer waters. Hard-knockers (4) JOHN WICK and (8) RAFA BAY could expose any chinks in the selection's armour. (7) HEMISPHERE is also a lightly raced 3YO gelding capable of having a say in the outcome. Race 7 (1,400m) (2) CEUTA confirmed the improvement of her two previous outings by winning last time. She copped a seven-point penalty for that career-best performance, but on the evidence of that victory, there may not be enough to prevent her from winning again. (8) GLAMOROUS LADY and (4) MISS HANNIGAN have the form and experience to play leading roles too. (3) QUEEN OF LOVE reunites with Piere Strydom - with whom she is unbeaten - and that could bring about a more competitive showing. There were valid excuses for the disappointing showing from (6) BLIND AMBITION last time, so she should not be overlooked either. Race 8 (1,400m) (2) PRINCESS ILARIA has finished second in consecutive recent starts at a higher level, so this drop in class, even off a higher mark, ought to bring about a return to winning ways. (1) BOOM BOOM and (7) QUANTUM are closely matched on these terms after a recent 1,600m on the Inside track. Both will have a say in the outcome if reproducing similar performances. Last-start maiden winner (8) CAPE SAFFRON is open to improvement and she could be leniently treated under 55kg on her handicap debut. Race 9 (1,160m) None of these inspire any degree of confidence but it could be worth siding with (7) PHALA MILLIONS, whose recent form and consistency at this level will be rewarded sooner than later. (1) ENSUING is all held by that rival on recent form. (2) TOKYO MEDAGLIA can improve and has performed well over track and trip, so he must be respected. (11) BREGARDT resurfaced on the Polytrack last time - finishing ahead of both (8) MARIACHI MADNESS and (6) PRIZED PLATINUM - but needs to confirm that improvement back on turf to make his presence felt.
