Muzi Yeni’s race-by-race analysis of Turffontein’s Sunday meeting
Muzi Yeni
Racing on the Highveld this weekend takes place on Sunday at Turffontein on the Inside track and there is an eight-race card to preview.
I will not be riding at the meeting but it looks like a nice card and hopefully we can guide racing fans in the right direction with regards to their betting on the day.
Race 1 is a Middle Stakes over 1600m and there is a very interesting runner in the form of UK-bred Calla Lagoon, who is having his first run in South Africa and could be anything.
It is essential to watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to his chances, but if there is any support for him, then he must be respected and could be the horse they all have to beat.
Diogenes returns after a small break, but his last start was in the Grade 1 Daily News 2000 at Hollywoodbets Greyville.
If he is able to return to the form of his previous efforts, then he is a massive runner in this event and sets the standard on exposed form.
Winding Power won a good race last time out and is now going for four wins in a row, which shows just how good a space he is in.
This is definitely his stiffest test to date, but a horse in this type of form always has to be respected.
Reece’s Wish won a good race for me last time out and comes in to this carrying bottom weight.
She is a well above-average filly and with the weight in her favour, she must be respected and included in all bets.
Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1200m and there are several very well-bred unraced horses in the field, so it is essential to watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to their chances.
Of the raced runners, Forever Canford sets the standard after a really good latest effort, which was probably the best run of his career.
If he is able to repeat that performance, then he is the horse they all have to beat.
Mega Awesome has been slightly disappointing and I thought he would run a better race last time out. He drops back in trip and gets blinkers added, and if those changes bring out the improvement required then he is a horse to consider for wider bets.
Mary’s Captain returns after a break, but the form of her debut run suggested that she could be a very nice filly, and there have been several winners coming out of that form line. If she returns close to peak fitness, then she can definitely run into the money.
Race 3 is a Maiden Plate for three-year-olds over 1200m and once again there are several well-bred unraced horses, so it is important to watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to their chances.
Of the raced runners, Mocha Magic ran a really good race on debut when finishing his race off well to finish third in what looked a decent maiden.
With natural improvement, he is the horse they all have to beat.
Chic Shack finished around six or seven lengths behind Mocha Magic in the same race, but he looked very green on the day. I do think he could be looking for slightly further in time, but with natural improvement he can definitely run into the money.
Kwaito was disappointing in his latest start, but he has been given a small break since then and now steps up in trip. His debut effort was a good one, and if he is able to return to that form he can definitely feature.
Blue Storm Runner ran a fair race on debut, and with the natural improvement expected from that first experience, he could run into the backend of Trifectas and Quartets.
Race 4 is a Maiden Plate for three-year-old fillies over 1200m, and my best bet on the card comes up in the form of Go For Broke from the Lucky Houdalakis yard.
This filly looked to be a really nice sort on debut and although she returns after 59 days off the track, I think she is going to be a very tough nut to crack.
I make her a banker in all bets.
Elusive Dragon drops drastically in class after a good latest effort when only five lengths off them in a graded race.
She has, however, had several chances throughout her career and could be vulnerable to the more unexposed horses. In saying that, she is still the main danger.
Pista Resistance returns after a break, but she has had three decent starts to date. If she returns close to peak fitness, then she must be respected and included in all bets.
Champagne Air also returns after a break following a fair debut effort and with natural improvement she can run into the backend of Trifectas and Quartets.
Race 5 is a MR 80 Apprentice Handicap over 1200m, and I think they all have the three-year-old Nightshine to beat. He looks to be a really decent young horse and could very well be better than his current rating.
Based on that, I think he sets the standard and could be a banker in certain bets.
Set To Music won a very good race on stable debut last time out, and I was impressed by the manner in which he won. I don’t think he will stop there, and with a 4kg apprentice allowance off his back, he is the immediate danger.
One Tiger is in very good form and his next winning turn cannot be far away. He deserves to be respected and must be included into wider bets.
Hemisphere has his first run for the Fabian Habib stable and gets blinkers fitted. It is important to watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to his chances, and if there is any support, then that must be respected.
Race 6 is a Novice Handicap over 1450m and my value bet on the card comes up in the form of Malshana Mou.
This filly is having her third run after a rest and has had a perfect prep into this race. From draw No 1, she has so much in her favour, and I think she is a banker in all bets.
A Bit Of Class drops drastically in class and is a filly who showed huge potential as a two-year-old.
This looks a good opportunity for her to get back into the placings, and she rates the immediate danger.
Millennium Warrior ran a fair post-maiden race and if he is able to build on that effort, then he can be included in wider bets.
Zip Code ran a good race last time out and comes into this race with a good draw and a light weight. He has enough in his favour to be competitive and is another to consider for wider bets.
Race 7 is a MR 74 Handicap over 1800m, and I really like the look of Knight Heist.
This horse showed huge potential when winning at only his second start and while it is not easy for a three-year-old to step up to 1800m at this time of the year, I think he is a very good horse.
He gets the apprentice allowance off his back and could be very well underrated in this, so he is the horse they all have to beat.
Spirit Of Gabz is also a three-year-old but has had a lot more racing than Knight Heist. He won a good race last time out and still seems to be improving.
If the 1800m is not a concern, then I make him the main danger.
Play With Fire won a good race last time out and gets the apprentice allowance off her back, which basically mitigates the penalty she received for that win. From a good draw, she must be respected and included in all bets.
Itsnowornever won a good race in his penultimate start and last time out the distance could have just been a touch too far for him.
He now drops back in trip and based on that he must be respected for wider bets.
Race 8 is a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m and I like the look of Star Magnolia.
This three-year-old filly won a good race last time out and is still improving so she could be better than her current rating. From the best draw of all, I think she is the horse they all have to beat.
Time Will Tell should enjoy going back around the bend and from a fairly decent draw, I think he will provide the biggest threat. He has consistent form and his winning turn cannot be far away.
Irish Wilma won a good race last time out and the form of that race has since been franked.
She has won over course and distance, which is another positive, and she must be respected and included in wider bets.
Echoes Of War and Iconic Winter both have fair form and have the ability to win a race of this nature. If you are looking for others to include in wider bets, these are two horses that should definitely go in.
BEST BET
Race 4 No 6 Go For Broke.
VALUE BET
Race 6 No 3 Malshana Mou.
PICK 6
R600
Leg 1: 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Leg 2: 6
Leg 3: 1, 4
Leg 4: 1, 3
Leg 5: 2, 3, 5
Leg 6: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10