13:10 Turffontein

Sunday 25 February 2024

All10:1510:5011:2512:0012:3513:1013:4514:2014:55

SA Classic 2 March For Bookings Call 011 681 1796 Middle Stakes

Off time: 13:11 | Winning time: 1m 24.6s

(7)

Winter Stories¹⁶⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Trent Mayhew⁽⁹⁾| T: Fabian Habib| C

40/1

Course winner. Fifteen runs since last win in 2021. Last of 10 in minor event at this course (7.2f, good, 16/1). Off 169 days. Others have achieved more.

Form: 589620-

(5)

Laguna Verde^b³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Craig Zackey| T: Michael Nicholas Houdalakis| CD

12/1

13/2, improved on recent efforts to win 7-runner handicap at this course (7.2f, good) 31 days ago. Needs a couple of these to falter.

Form: 6958-41

(4)

Texas Red²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Calvin Habib| T: Robyn Klaasen| CD

9/1

C&D winner. Five wins from 17 Flat runs. Three wins from 8 runs last year. Latest win here in December. 33/1, respectable fifth of 13 in minor event at this C&D (good) 22 days ago. Has work to do.

Form: 73531-5

(11)

Celestial City^b²¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Kabelo Matsunyane| T: Sean Tarry| C| D

10/1

Course winner. Five wins from 9 runs last year. Career best when winning 9-runner handicap (33/10) at Scottsville (7f, good). Off 7 months.

Form: 236111-

(6)

Funky Music^b¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Nirvan Nastili⁽⁹⁾| T: Paul Matchett| CD

12/1

Course winner. Five wins from 11 runs last year. Latest win at Vaal in November. 14/1, seventh of 9 in handicap at this course (8f, good) 15 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 75123-7

(2)

Top Sail¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Philasande Mxoli| T: Paul Matchett

50/1

Last of 9 in minor event (40/1) at this course (5.8f, good) 15 days ago. Back up in trip. Can give a good account without posing serious threat to principals.

Form: 07552-9

(10)

Brave Viking⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: C Maujean| T: Joey Soma| CD

15/2

C&D winner. Three wins from 10 runs last year. 25/2, 11½ lengths eighth of 9 to Silver Hills in listed race at this course (8f, soft) 43 days ago. Enters calculations.

Form: 34634-8

(8)

Mid Winter Wind¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: R Fourie| T: Sean Tarry| C

4/5

Career best when winning 9-runner handicap at this course (5.8f, good, 14/10) 15 days ago. Back up in trip. Enters calculations.

Form: 32-211

(3)

Total Surrender¹⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Marco V'Rensburg| T: Michael Nicholas Houdalakis| C| D

11/1

Three wins from 8 runs last year. Latest win at Vaal in August. Eighth of 9 in minor event at this course (9.9f, good, 33/10). Off 108 days. Back down in trip. Others more persuasive.

Form: 211428-

(9)

Bob's Your Uncle^b³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: M Yeni| T: Michael Nicholas Houdalakis| CD

11/2

C&D winner. 9/2 and blinkered for 1st time, very good second of 9 in handicap at Vaal (8f, good) 33 days ago. Looks competitive on form.

Form: 37775-2

Non-Runners

(1)

Flashy Apache³¹

Weight: 9-6| Age: 5

T: Tyrone Zackey J: Denis Schwarz

Forecasts

Mid Winter Wind (4/5), Bob's Your Uncle (11/2), Brave Viking (15/2), Texas Red (9/1), Celestial City (10/1), Total Surrender (11/1), Laguna Verde (12/1), Funky Music (12/1), Flashy Apache (16/1), Winter Stories (40/1), Top Sail (50/1)

MID WINTER WIND left his preceding form behind last time and will take the beating. Bob's Your Uncle seems the principal danger, while Brave Viking is prominent among those with minor place claims.