TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 17 – 19 JULY

PUNTERS CAN REAP SOME BIG REWARDS

There are numerous opportunities for punters to cash in at three challenging South African meetings this weekend. Trainer Alan Greeff has identified a potential Pick 6 banker at Fairview, but the other legs of the bet are competitive. It’s much the same at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday, when several tricky handicaps could yield upsets. And at the Hollywoodbets Scottsville eight-race meeting on Sunday, there’s an early BiPot banker followed by a string of demanding puzzles.

Internationally, the spotlight falls on the Curragh, where Saturday’s Group 1 Irish Oaks is supported by three other high-quality Group races. All TAB Win, Place, Exacta, Quinella, Swinger and Trifecta bets will be commingled into the Hong Kong Jockey Club World Pool. If you’re looking for a big payout, this is the weekend to take a ticket.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: STABLE JOCKEY SIDES WITH MERCANTOUR

Alan Greeff holds a dominant hand in Race 6 over 1400m, a contest in which the conditions appear to suit all three of his runners – Fairy Knight, Mercantour and Guy Gibson, who have amassed an impressive 29 victories among them.

Stable jockey Richard Fourie has opted to partner well-drawn Mercantour, who has won six of his eight starts on the Polytrack and has finished ahead of Fairy Knight in their two previous meetings. “They’re all competent runners,” said Greeff. “There’s always a dog trying to steal the bone, but hopefully one of ours can come to the party.”

NEWBURY: DEBUT WINNER NABATI LOOKS THE REAL DEAL

Following a successful July Festival at Newmarket last week, Charlie Appleby can strike again with two-year-old Nabati in Race 3, a Listed sprint over 1200m. The Godolphin-owned colt was sent off an odds-on favourite when cruising to victory on his 1200m debut at York this month. He has been entered for the Group 2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes, reflecting the high regard in which he is held by his connections.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

CHAMP DE MARS: ZACATOO CAN MAKE CLASS TELL

Zacatoo was given a break after reeling off a hat-trick of effortless wins last summer. He returned with encouraging placings in May and June respectively, and young trainer Arvan Nagadoo appears to have him spot on for Race 6, the MTC Sophomore Challenge Cup over 1500m. The son of Act Of War looks the class act in this five-runner, level-weights contest and is reunited with apprentice Ianish Taka, who has forged a successful partnership with the Nagadoo stable.

HOLLYWOODBETS DURBANVILLE:  SARDINIA BAY THE BANKER 

This is undoubtedly one of the most competitive cards in the Western Cape this season and all bet types could deliver big dividends in some races. As at Turffontein last week, best advice for Pick 6 players may be to go as wide as possible through the opening five legs and banker Greg Ennion’s Sardinia Bay at the back. He drops back to his preferred 1000m in Race 8 following three below-par efforts over slightly further. A quality sprinter with four wins from 11 starts, he is unbeaten over the course and distance. Ennion’s decision to engage Richard Fourie, who is unbeaten in two rides aboard Sardinia Bay, adds to the confidence.

SUGGESTED 5% (R346,40) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 4 @ 13:35):

Leg 1: 5, 6, 8
Leg 2: FIELD (1-14)
Leg 3: FIELD (1-11)
Leg 4: 2, 7, 9
Leg 5: 3, 4, 6, 7, 11
Leg 6: 7

THE CURRAGH: EARTH SHOT BIDS FOR CLASSIC GLORY

William Haggas is hoping Royal Ascot heroine Earth Shot can take the next step in her career by landing Race 7, the Group 1 Irish Oaks over 2400m. The Ribblesdale Stakes winner is one of 11 fillies in the line-up and while Haggas would have preferred more rain, he believes she has the mettle to challenge Ballydoyle’s dominance of this season’s fillies’ features.

“Everything seems in order with her, she seems very well and I’m looking forward to the race,” Haggas told the Press Association. “She is just improving with every run, which is nice. I’ve always felt she would be even better with a bit more cut in the ground. It doesn’t look like it is going to rain, which is a shame, but she’ll enjoy the track.”

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: MEGA SKYE LOOKS READY FOR LISTED CLASS

Leading trainer Frank Maynard has a good chance of bagging another trophy in Race 9, a Listed 1600m event for three-year-olds. He won the race with Trees Of Valinor last year and saddles talented and in-form New Zealand-bred Mega Skye in this year’s renewal. A winner of two of his seven starts, the gelding has a smart turn of foot and the step up to 1600m looks well within his compass. He treated Class 4 rivals with contempt last time out and appears more than capable of making a successful transition to Listed company. The meeting starts at 06:25.

HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE: COMPENSATION AWAITS THYME TO TALK

Tony Rivalland’s filly Thyme To Talk was arguably unlucky not to score over 1200m on the Polytrack last month, going down narrowly to SA Nursery winner Better Never Ends after being bumped a few strides from the finish. Switched back to turf in Race 2 over 1100m, the day’s early feature, she looks capable of gaining compensation over this shorter trip. Tommy Greany appears to hold Omkhulu Boss on a line through Quest Of Valor and looks a threat, as does Keagan de Melo’s mount Kid From The South.