South Africa Horse Racing Previews: TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE@2023.01.02
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R90.000, 12:15GMT+2
Race Summary: The trainer comment on Argentinian-bred filly CIVIL PRINCESS is ‘above average filly’ and she looks well placed. The one to watch. VAR PARK has run some respectable races and the gelding is overdue. He looked to have needed his last race and should make big improvement. DUNGEONS is holding form and could get closer in this contest. However, along with VAR PARK and IRON SKY, has drawn on the inside of the track. IRON SKY disappointed but returns quickly and could show much more this time.
Selections:
#12 Civil Princess, #1 Var Park, #3 Dungeons, #2 Iron Sky
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 12:50GMT+2
Race Summary: OCTOBER FAIR has had breaks between races and is taking her time to come to hand. She has shown potential and having drawn well after a rest could fire up. WRITTENINTHESAND made progress when tried around the bend in her second start as well. She has not drawn as well as OCTOBER FAIR but could still be the biggest danger. A wide draw may not spoil the chances of POWERS THAT BE who may be taken to the front early. She is improving and could keep going. SKY VELOCITY and ELUSIVE FIRE could partake in the prizes on form. CALL TO GLORY and FOLLOW THE FLOW are well bred – watch out.
Selections:
#11 October Fair, #12 Writteninthesand, #2 Powers That Be, #3 Sky Velocity
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: FISH EAGLE has sprinted well but gives the impression he is looking for the extra distance. He has room for good improvement. ARCHIMIDES is fleetfooted and should be the one to catch again. He tries Turffontein for the first time along with SILVANO’S SONG who caught the eye in his last start. A well-bred son of Silvano, he has needed time to mature. CAMLICOURT is learning how to race and ran a fair race after a rest last time. He just needs to get the timing right. BRAVE VIKING, CASH SLIP and FREE MOVEMENT all look capable of getting into it. More can earn.
Selections:
#5 Fish Eagle, #7 Archimides, #12 Silvano’s Song, #8 Camlicourt
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R150.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Cracking line-up for this Pinnacle Stakes. Best weighted UNDER YOUR SPELL is a versatile multiple Graded race winner who could land it if at her best. But DUKE OF SUSSEX beat a massive field to win the Grand Heritage after an impressive win over further and could be on the up still. Stable mate DYCE put in brave work only to be beaten 0.50 lengths by the former and is 1.5kg better off so could turn it around, especially if the going is on top. OUTOFTHEDARKNESS is 4kg better off with DUKE OF SUSSEX for 2.25 lengths and could be even more dangerous. He did well with top weight last time.
Selections:
#8 Duke Of Sussex, #6 Dyce, #5 Outofthedarkness, #3 Under Your Spell
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R250.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: The Grade 3 Tony Ruffel Stakes looks an exciting contest with, all including filly STRIKE A MATCH, having claims. But this could turn into a match between ROYAL VICTORY and THUNDERSTRUCK on merit ratings. ROYAL VICTORY finished 1.50 lengths ahead of THUNDERSTRUCK in the Dingaans and could confirm but the race may be run to suit THUNDERSTRUCK, who could outsprint this field if allowed to. It doesn’t end there. ARIVIDICIO and GOLDEN PROSPECT have finished behind the top-rated colts but had excuses in those heats and need to be taken seriously. NOW I GOT YOU should relish running over the longer trip.
Selections:
#2 Royal Victory, #1 Thunderstruck, #4 Golden Prospect, #5 Arividicio
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R200.000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Exciting debut winner KINKY BOOTS is quickly entered in the Grade 3 Three Troikas Stakes and could be up to the challenge. She is taking on strong rivals with more experience but is bred to be even better over the longer distance. ROCK THE FOX turned in a solid performance to take third in the Grade 3 Fillies Mile last time and should confirm with stablemate BLESS MY STARS who does appear a lot better than that run. MORAINE has beaten ROCK THE FOX and she too looks a lot better than her last run when she battled to quicken. QUEEN OF SMOKE and MISS COOL can’t be ignored.
Selections:
#7 Kinky Boots, #3 Rock The Fox, #4 Queen Of Smoke, #1 Miss Cool
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R250.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: The third feature and the one that should guarantee a strong turn out at the track. Grade 1 Summer Cup hero PUERTO MANZANO is back for his blow out before a crack at the Cape Met. He was thoroughly impressive coming from way off the pace to win the Cup but will need to be on his toes so as to not get caught flat footed in a small field. RED SAXON is unbeaten over the course and distance and enjoys a long duel to the wire. He may test PUERTO MANZANO even though not well weighted. Watch out for youngster ELECTRIC GOLD who impressed last time and could be on the up.
Selections:
#1 Puerto Manzano, #2 Red Saxon, #5 Electric Gold, #3 Second Base
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: SILVER HILLS won her maiden without much fanfare but the manner of the victory suggests more to come. She is taking on an MR 94 field and will be tested. TULIP TREE is getting better with each visit to the racecourse and could complete a hat trick of wins. BUREAU DES LEGENDE has been hard to catch, winning her last two as she liked. She is unbeaten in two tries over the course and distance and could maintain that record. TERRA TIME was not disgraced in a feature over a bit further at this venue and could show the strength of that form. More useful types who can upset.
Selections:
#9 Silver Hills, #8 Tulip Tree, #2 Bureau Des Legende, #1 Terra Time
Turffontein Standside, 02.01.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R85.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: UNITED COUNCIL shrugged off challenges to open her account at the second time of asking. She can only improve as that was her first run around a turn but she needs to settle as she is meeting better. QUANTUM suddenly came back to best and it could be that she prefers this track. She should have no problem with the step up in distance. PASCHALS SAMORE is hard to catch when in the mood and could make it four in a row, but she was penalised 3.5kg for her last victory. GIMMEALIGHT and PRINCESS OZMA both should be in the firing line on form.
Selections:
#7 United Council, #5 Quantum, #3 Paschals Samore, #2 Gimmealight
Best Win: #1 PUERTO MANZANO
Best Value Bet: #5 FISH EAGLE
Best Longshot: #5 FISH EAGLE
