South Africa Horse Racing Previews: DURBANVILLE@2023.09.05
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R85.000, 12:10GMT+2
Race Summary: STRATA has been costly to follow, though did have legitimate excuses for a disappointing last start, but she remains capable of winning a race of this nature, especially with a full set of alumite shoes this time. FUTURE STAR is drawn widest on her reappearance but is likely to improve after a pleasing debut. PONTE VECCHIO and LIP SYNC, with the benefit of experience, could get into the picture. However, a bigger threat could come from one of the newcomers. BYTHELITEOFTHEMOON, SEASIDE TRIP and LA DIVINA are bred to be useful, so must be respected, while QUEEN OFTHE PALACE is another to note with Fourie up.
Selections:
#11 Future Star, #3 Strata, #7 Seaside Trip, #2 La Divina
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: CONNERY made an encouraging debut over track and trip so, with natural improvement expected, is likely to play a leading role. GRAVITY has improved with each outing and ought to mount a serious challenge from a favourable inside gate. Both WAR CHARIOT and CASINO ACE will have more to offer with the benefit of experience after fair introductions. WILLIAM WEST and HEAD GIRL are capable of getting into the mix as well. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomer GOLD GUNNER.
Selections:
#11 Connery, #4 Gravity, #9 Casino Ace, #2 Gold Gunner
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R165.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: SILVER FALCON has been impressive in defying several penalties to win his last five starts but has it all to do to extend that winning sequence on these terms. AFTER THE RAIN was making his seasonal reappearance when touched off by that rival last time so would’ve tightened up since and is weighted to turn the tables. LOOK FOR HOUNDS has a good record at this track and is effective over this trip so is capable of staking a claim. DEAN STREET is in good form and also likely to make his presence felt.
Selections:
#1 After The Rain, #4 Silver Falcon, #6 Dean Street, #2 Look For Hounds
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Open. Stablemates LADY LUCK and SUMMER SONG return from layoffs but do have scope to improve. Both REDROSEOFLANCASTER and GREEN ISLE caught the eye last time when running on strongly from a long way back (wide draws) and should fare better from more favourable starting berths, although preference is for the former who will have more to offer stepped up to this trip. PRINCESS IZZY, SUN SPECTACULAR and PINSTRIPE renew rivalry having finished in that order over 1250m last month, and they’re also likely to appreciate the extra 150m so should be competitive. Well-bred SILHYANA is one to note.
Selections:
#2 Redroseoflancaster, #3 Princess Izzy, #9 Pinstripe, #10 Sun Spectacular
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 14:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. ENCHANTED SKY bounced back to form last time when staying on over 1250m, suggesting the step up in trip will suit. ICE RAIN, who was on debut, finished behind that rival having been dropped out from a wide draw and is open to any amount of improvement so could represent the value in the race with natural improvement expected and the extra 150m likely to suit. TIME FOR LOVE also caught the eye on debut and should improve with the benefit of that experience. TWO A PENNY, TRIP TO MAPUTO and VIX PRINCESS could confirm recent improvement so must be respected. FATAL GEM has claims too.
Selections:
#4 Ice Rain, #2 Time For Love, #8 Enchanted Sky, #3 Gimmethelimelight
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R110.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. NAUSHON has been hard to win with but proved he remains capable by bouncing back to form from a wide draw when 2nd over track and trip last time, so makes obvious appeal from gate No 2. DIAMOND ROCK got going late to finish behind that rival and has more scope to improve with a No 1 draw to boot. APACHE CHIEF and GET IMPRESSED are closely matched on the form of their recent 1400m meeting when both were returning from a break. They ought to have tightened up since and should have even more to offer over this distance. RED WILLIAM also has earning potential but is drawn widest.
Selections:
#9 Get Impressed, #1 Diamond Rock, #7 Apache Chief, #4 Naushon
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Stablemates SHAVOUT and PINEAPPLE EXPRESS make their Cape Town comebacks but do have track experience and are not incapable of staking claims. BARDOLINO has maintained consistency without success but is capable of taking advantage of his reduced rating and this drop in class. KIMBALL O’HARA fits a similar profile but faces a tough task from the widest gate. TOTHEMOONANDBACK (with blinkers now fitted) and FAIRE ADVANTAGE are also competitive off their current marks. RULE OF THUMB won over track and trip recently but escaped with the minimum penalty so should remain competitive too. Tricky!
Selections:
#3 Bardolino, #11 Kimball O’Hara, #8 Tothemoonandback, #10 Rule Of Thumb
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R135.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. DOUBLE SUPERLATIVE makes an eagerly anticipated comeback but is likely to need the run ahead of a potentially big summer season. LIGHT SPEED is talented but unlikely to be wound up on his return either. WE’RE JAMMING, on the other hand, runs well fresh and is capable of playing a role in the finish under these conditions. GIMME’S LASSIE, one of two fillies in the race, is well in and has the benefit of recent race fitness, so ought to be competitive. MEU CAPITANO is highly regarded and the booking of Richard Fourie bodes well for his chances. KING REGENT warrants respect too.
Selections:
#6 Meu Capitano, #7 We’Re Jamming, #3 Gimme’s Lassie, #8 King Regent
Durbanville, 05.09.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R120.000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: UNCONQUERABLE LADY was dropped out from a wide draw last time and made eye-catching headway before being outrun late to finish a close-up 5th over this track and trip. She is well drawn and taken to make it count. EASY MONEY was ahead of the selection that day but faces a tough task confirming that form from her wide draw. Last-start maiden winners DOUBLE GRAND SLAM, returns from a rest, and NORDIC QUEST should have more to offer, though preference is for the latter with race fitness on her side. SIDDELEY is capable of better than her recent form suggests, but she wouldn’t want it too soft.
Selections:
#3 Unconquerable Lady, #9 Easy Money, #6 Double Grand Slam, #10 Nordic Quest
Best Win: #3 UNCONQUERABLE LADY
Best Value Bet: #4 ICE RAIN
Best Longshot: #4 ICE RAIN
