RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: DURBANVILLE@2023.03.25
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R140.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: SPEEDING BULLET was gelded before his last start so may have needed that outing. He is better than that 8th in a 1200m feature suggests and is worth another chance back over this distance. Last-start winner EASY MONEY finished just 1.65 lengths adrift of that rival on debut and could get closer with experience under her belt. Recent track-and-trip scorer BLUE HOLLY is distance suited and ought to make her presence felt too. After an improved last start, CAPTAIN ARROW could get into the picture. Newcomer BIG FELLA is one to keep an eye on, especially if attracting market support.
Selections:
#1 Speeding Bullet, #6 Easy Money, #2 Blue Holly, #3 Captain Arrow
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: KYOMAI stayed on well to finish 3rd in a 1200m feature and gave the impression this step up in distance will be very much to his liking. HARD WINTER was a pleasing 4th on debut and with natural improvement should be competitive. A bigger threat, however, may come from well-related newcomer MONUMENTAL. Both AVIGNON and SEE YOU IN A BIT have earning potential too, having finished in the money over course and distance last time out. WOMAN’S WORLD ought to improve over ground, so could get into the picture going an extra 200m.
Selections:
#5 Kyomai, #6 Monumental, #7 Hard Winter, #1 Woman’s World
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R80.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: APPLE CATCHER has finished 2nd in both outings and needn’t improve a great deal with blinkers to go one better. ON BOARD has the form and experience to pose a threat, though. She was a credible 5th in open company last time so ought to be in the shake-up back against her own sex and in receipt of 1.5kg from the selection. AMETHYSTIC and ELECTRIC FEELS could have a say on their best form. Returning LOVE RULES showed enough in her 4 starts prior to a layoff to warrant consideration.
Selections:
#3 Apple Catcher, #8 On Board, #4 Electric Feels, #7 Love Rules
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R80.000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: MISTY CLIFFS was drawn wide and ran into traffic problems when returning from a break over 1400m. SILVER SLEET showed pace on debut and could bounce back from a disappointing last start given a subsequent 11-week break. It could, however, pay to be with well-bred BO KAAP on debut, as she is closely related to several top performers as well as Grade 1 winners. SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL and PONTE VECCHIO have the form and experience to make their presence felt from favourable inside gates. MY FLOWER FATE has scope to improve after a quiet introduction so could also take home a cheque.
Selections:
#5 Bo Kaap, #3 Misty Cliffs, #1 Simply Beautiful, #9 My Flower Fate
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100.000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. HAWK CIRCLE has improved after gelding and the fitting of blinkers has also brought about improvement. He has run well in 2 comeback sprints this year and may now be looking for this trip which, on pedigree, should suit. FINAL EDITION made an encouraging reappearance at the beginning of the month and should have more to offer, though KELP FOREST ought to confirm the form of their recent meeting from gate No 1. The latter has improved with every outing and could emerge victorious if making further progress.
Selections:
#1 Kelp Forest, #8 Hawk Circle, #4 Final Edition, #3 Rainbow Colours
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R125.000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: A case can be made for each of these. BYE BYE BOMBSHELL was 4th in consecutive feature races over further before a 9-week break. She is distance suited and ought to fare better dropping in class off a lower (2pts) mark. On the form of their meeting in the Victress Stakes, stablemate VERONICA MARS warrants respect on 2.5kg better terms. FLEETING may have needed her last start and could do better returning to the scene of her 2 career wins. BETTY BOOP (1kg worse off) was ahead of that rival when trying 1600m and should confirm. BROADWAY GIRL races off a career-high mark but could also have a say.
Selections:
#5 Bye Bye Bombshell, #7 Veronica Mars, #1 Betty Boop, #6 Broadway Girl
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R125.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Another chance is given to HUNTING TRIP. She failed to go through with her effort when given every chance over 1250m last time but, with the tongue-tie done away with and a return to this trip likely to suit, could make amends. Class-droppers DISTINCTION and SONIC BURST should make their presence felt. ENEMY TERRITORY was an easy 4-length winner over this trip in just her second start and ought to be competitive with improvement on the cards. SHE’S MY CAPTAIN will keep them honest, while MISS MARGUERITE could surprise back over this trip for the first time since her maiden win.
Selections:
#1 Hunting Trip, #9 Distinction, #5 Enemy Territory, #4 Sonic Burst
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R125.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive sprint. BARZALONA and DOUBLE CHARGE bounced back to form with close-up finishes in a stronger race last time and should be in the shake-up if repeating those efforts with an extra 1.5kg on their backs. DANCE VARIETY maintained a good level of form and consistency off higher marks before a creditable 7th in the Newlands Stakes over 1400m. He is closely matched with BEERENBERG on the form of that meeting but ought to find this shorter trip more to his liking. The latter is unbeaten over course and distance and likely to play leading role once more.
Selections:
#4 Beerenberg, #9 Dance Variety, #2 Barzalona, #6 Double Charge
Durbanville, 25.03.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R80.000, 17:05GMT+2
Race Summary: FLY TO RIO led for most of the way and was only outrun late when 2nd in a similar contest at her last start. On that evidence, this shorter trip may suit and she could be hard to peg back despite a 4-point penalty. Course-and-distance winner AXL concedes 3.5kg to that rival from a wider draw but arrives in good form and ought to be competitive. TUSCAN GOLD is closely matched so likely to make his presence felt too. MASKED VIGILANTE has been disappointing but could bounce back to form any day now given his big drop in the ratings.
Selections:
#3 Fly To Rio, #9 Axl, #11 Tuscan Gold, #1 Masked Vigilante
Best Win: #1 SPEEDING BULLET
Best Value Bet: #5 BYE BYE BOMBSHELL
Best Longshot: #5 BYE BYE BOMBSHELL
