TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 14 – 16 AUGUST

MID-MONTH RACING OFFERS PLENTY OF ACTION

The mid-month weekend racing action starts with two Listed races on the Polytrack at Fairview and the return of a top filly on Friday afternoon, followed by an evening meeting on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville. Saturday sees a challenging Pick 6 at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth but with a bit of luck, a Justin Snaith-trained maiden can get punters safely through the first leg. On Sunday, in-form Candice and Tammy Dawson are the ones to follow with three runners in good form at Turffontein. The local fare is backed by international Group racing from Cork in Ireland on Friday and Newbury on Saturday, with good betting opportunities all round!

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

FAIRVIEW: GREEFF CONFIDENT OF FEATURE CHANCES

Trainer Alan Greeff has given punters some confidence ahead of the two Listed features on the day’s programme. He said Zinovi already has his summer coat and is set to defend his title in Race 5, the Memorial Mile. “He’s looking exceptionally well and we’re hoping he holds form,” noted the trainer. Enchanting Choice tries 2000m for the first time in Race 7, the Jockey Club Stakes, but she has won well over 1800m and Greeff said: “She is a strong and burly mare with a heart of gold. She is a big runner from her good draw.” Greeff’s top filly, Golden Palm, returns from a break in Race 6 over 1200m – her first run on the Polytrack – and she, too, is reported to be in good shape.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: SHE’S A MACHINE CAN UPSET THE YOUNGSTERS

In the most interesting contest of the evening, promising three-year-olds Bangkok Magic and Omkhulu Boss take on older rivals for the first time in Race 4 over 1200m. It is always tempting to side with young, up-and-coming runners, but there are a few hard-knockers among their rivals, including She’s A Machine. The four-time winning mare drops a notch in class, is proven on the Polytrack and has already won off her current rating. She has a strong chance from her inside draw.

CORK: AMELIA EARHART CAN REGAIN WINNING FORM

Amelia Earhart looks the pick of a strong hand for Aidan O’Brien in Race 5, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Give Thanks Stakes over 2400m. Following her win in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, the daughter of Camelot ran below her best when favourite for both the Group 1 Betfred Oaks and Group 1 Irish Oaks, but O’Brien has kept Ryan Moore in the saddle and she could resume winning ways.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

HOLLYWOODBETS KENILWORTH

Pick 6 punters could get off to a flying start in Race 4 over 1800m courtesy of Justin Snaith’s gelding O’Fellow, who has taken time to come to hand but looks ready to win following his good second over 2000m a fortnight ago. He is rated 58 and is not going to Hollywood, but is nicely weighted and well drawn in an Open Maiden. The fact  Snaith has persisted with him after nine unsuccessful attempts suggests the stable believes he can win a race or two, and this weak contest represents his best chance so far. The other five legs are open and competitive, which makes for an interesting afternoon’s racing.

SUGGESTED R422,40  (10%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 14:15):

Leg 1:  1

Leg 2:  1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 9

Leg 3:  2, 4, 6, 7

Leg 4:  1, 4, 6, 8

Leg 5: FIELD (1-11)

Leg 6:  2, 3, 6, 7

NEWBURY: NEVER SO BRAVE READY TO REBOUND

Andrew Balding’s five-year-old, Never So Brave, leads the older contingent in this year’s renewal of Race 4, the Group 2 Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes over the straight 1400m. He finished runner-up to Qirat in the Group 3 Criterion Stakes at York in June after making his challenge from the rear, before finishing sixth behind now-retired star Bow Echo in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes. He drops in distance and class and looks the horse to beat.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS:

SELANGOR: FOLLOW IN-FORM PINHEIRO ON ANTIPODEAN

Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro, who rode six winners at Kuala Lumpur last week, partners the talented six-year-old Antipodean in Race 9 over 1600m. The 2024 Grade 1 Selangor Gold Cup winner is on track to contest the second leg of the Triple Crown on 27 September and looks the part but faces three other bright contenders in three-year-old Acquitaine, his stablemate Anjou Crown and Banker’s Honor. It should be a hot contest. The first race if off at 6:00.

TURFFONTEIN: DAWSON TRIO ALL IN THE MIX

Candice and Tammy Dawson saddle three runners at the meeting, and all have winning prospects. Lightly raced four-year-old Reece’s Wish is a progressive daughter of Vercingetorix, handily weighted in Race 1 over 1600m and in good form. Set To Music made a winning debut for the stable in June and has a good opportunity to follow up in Race 5 over 1200m, where she has the benefit of a good draw and a 4kg allowance claimed by apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon. A Bit Of Class has raced below her useful best recently, but she enjoys the inside track and is rated eight points higher than her nearest rival in Race 6 over 1450m.