Resident racing expert Man On The Spot casts an eye over the South African action from Greyville on Sunday.
12.45
Origami and SECRET IS OURS trialled together over 5f here last month with the former having half-a-length to spare over the latter. But Gavin van Zyl’s grey should be much more effective over the extra quarter-mile and is the choice today. Chapter And Verse won a Scottsville trial and is worth a market check while Colour My Fate has genuine race experience having finished second to Walls Of Dubrovnik here. Green Phantom also found only one too good at Scottsville and should again beat third Disillusioned.
1.20
LADY LUTETIA has the highest rating of these and the beating of several of her rivals on various form lines since November. The blinkers are left off after she only managed fourth when favourite at Scottsville last time and she can recoup losses. Hot Money looks a threat on her latest third over 6f here and a case can also be made for Dancinginthewind, who has placed the last twice and has headgear applied today. Wichita also gets blinkers and is probably capable of improvement while Empress Ella finished ahead of Justadoreher and Baccino when third at Scottsville last month.
1.55
Sonjadorn had just over a length to spare over Jubilate in the race won by Brigade over 1m2f here earlier in the month with Soul Surfer, Stunning Guest and Tiger Tank further behind. Michael Roberts’ gelding is one for the shortlist in this and Noble Flight has similar claims and holds Straight Shooter, Jumping Castle and Uptown Funk on the form book. Paul Lafferty’s charge was more than five lengths behind ALL TIME HIGH (NAP) over 1m4f last month, however, and Glen Kotzen’s runner should be capable of going one better today.
2.30
Dark Moon Rising would have a chance on his best form but he’s been out of sorts lately. A similar comment applies to stablemate White Lightning but he has twice finished behind MARCHINGONTOGETHER recently and Warren Kennedy’s mount is fancied to reverse course running with Silver Rose earlier this month and come out on top today. Merlin From Berlin is in good nick but appears to have a lot to do on these terms. Ella’s World, the only filly in this line-up, may prove the pick of the remainder.
3.05
Heroic Deed finished ahead of Farland when third on the Polytrack here last time having won earlier at Scottsville but NOBLE JOSHUA had more in hand over Doug Campbell’s charge when second at the same track earlier this month. Gareth van Zyl’s four-year-old rattled up a hat-trick at Scottsville last year and looks to be on the way back. Admiral’s Guest has been in good form since the turn of the year and makes more appeal than Gimme Peace, who has just lost his way. Russian Beat should also figure as his latest second came in a slightly better race at Turffontein.
3.40
G G’s Dynasty has had a couple of months off but arrives on a hat-trick, though didn’t have much to spare over Tristful and Born To Perform on the Polytrack here last time and that was over an extra furlong. Crown Towers just got the better of CAPOEIRA in a similar race at Kenilworth last month but a low draw over the trip here is more of an advantage and it would be no surprise to see the placing reversed. Knights Templar is reasonably handicapped but Camphoratus has to concede weight all round and Silver God needs forgiving a poor run last time at Turffontein.
4.15
There are a trio of three-year-olds taking on older sprinters in this. Wolfgang has won his last two but they have been on Polytrack and he’s not as effective on Turf. We Light The Fire won a lesser contest over course and distance two weeks ago, however, while Royal Rustler could figure if blinkers have the desired effect. Winter Blues has place claims again but BLAZE OF SILK ran well following an absence at Scottsville and showed the benefit when going one better at that track last month. His yard is in good form and a follow-up here may be on the cards.
4.50
A wide-open finale which has attracted a maximum field. Duran must have a chance on his latest third over 5f here on Polytrack when Bravo Zulu, Alphamikefoxtrot, Seventh Son and Jardin were unplaced. Lotsa Silver is rarely far away but has a poor strike-rate with similar comments applying to Rocket Fire. Candle Cove has only managed two places from nine starts this season and FIVES WILD is another to have generally struggled this term. However, the latter did show a bit more back here last time and a good run from We Light The Fire in the previous race would boost his prospects.