South Africa Horse Racing Previews: DURBANVILLE@2023.09.18
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R110.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Many with chances in a competitive opener. TEQUILA SKY confirmed the promise of her debut by finishing 2nd over track and trip last time, so could go one better with any improvement. NILE THE BOSS, LOVE SHACK and THREE COINS are closely matched on the form of a recent meeting over this course and distance and are capable of staking a claim. NIGHT VIGIL, however, debuted in that race and with the benefit of that experience could turn the tables on those rivals. Stable companions EPIKLEROS and TRES CHIC also warrant respect having finished close-up last time. Watch the betting on the newcomers!
Selections:
#10 Song Of Myself, #1 Tequila Sky, #8 Tres Chic, #3 Night Vigil
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: STARS IN HEAVEN made an encouraging local debut (this track and trip) and ought to have improved since so is the one to beat. THE NIGHT FERRY was making his debut when finishing ahead of FOUR JACKS, who would’ve needed that outing after a rest/gelding and is likely to improve with the benefit of that experience, although both are entitled to come on for the run. GOLDEN GREY let the side down in his most recent outing over this distance but remains capable of better and cannot be written off. DAWN CLOUD and WILLIE JOHN are others to note as is well-bred newcomer MOREMI GORGE. Watch the betting!
Selections:
#6 Stars In Heaven, #11 Moremi Gorge, #3 The Night Ferry, #4 Golden Grey
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 13:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Good maiden. MAGIC VERSE disappointed over track and trip last time when only finishing 3rd as the odds-on favourite. He did have excuses and does remain capable so could make amends. OLIVER has solid form credentials and, with cheekpieces now fitted, would not be winning out of turn. Both CELTIC CHIEF and well-related FOUDRE have tricky draws to negotiate but they are open to any amount of improvement after eye-catching introductions. COSMIC RHYTHM, as well as expensive and well-bred newcomers CALL TO UNITE and BEER WITH THE BOYS, are not taken lightly and could feature. Watch the betting!
Selections:
#13 Foudre, #1 Magic Verse, #11 Celtic Chief, #8 Call To Unite
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110.000, 14:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. WUGUG is an interesting runner on her Cape debut having performed well in each of her three starts/sprints on the Highveld. Stablemates SUN SPECTACULAR and PRINCESS IZZY are improving and closely matched on recent form over 1250m, although riding arrangements suggest preference is for the latter over this trip. LADY MAJORCA improved on her track debut to finish behind a subsequent winner and a repeat of that effort will make her competitive. TRIP TO MAPUTO, held on that form, and SCHOOL POLICY are drawn wide but are not incapable of getting involved.
Selections:
#7 Princess Izzy, #4 Sun Spectacular, #9 Lady Majorca, #1 Wugug
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R110.000, 14:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. Teammates FLAMBOYANT FLYER and LORD FYFIELD should relish the step up to this distance and improve for it, having run well over 1800m recently. MARSHALL FIELD will also appreciate going this trip and ought to be competitive in his peak outing. GIMME THE BEST is inconsistent but another in the race likely to enjoy/improve over the extra. RED WILLIAM, in his first attempt at this distance, and GLOBAL MOVEMENT, who is distance suited, complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#9 Lord Fyfield, #5 Marshall Field, #3 Flamboyant Flyer, #10 Gimme The Best
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R135.000, 15:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race, many with chances. MY FLOWER FATE ran well over this trip under a penalty last time and is likely to go well again off the same mark. HIERKOMMIEBOKKIE and QUEEN OF SPARTA have proved effective up to 1400m but could have more to offer going a ‘mile’ trip for the first time. GIMMEAFIRST has solid form references and could stake a claim with improved fitness on her side after a comeback outing. ROYAL INVITATION ought to remain competitive having finished 2nd over track and trip last time and escaping without a penalty. LADY SILVANO and ENEMY TERRITORY feature high on the shortlist too.
Selections:
#1 My Flower Fate, #6 Royal Invitation, #5 Gimmeafirst, #9 Enemy Territory
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R135.000, 15:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. NATYAM won both starts with a tongue-tie fitted at the end of last season and is probably better than rated, so should run well under these conditions (light weight and No 1 gate) and looks the one to be with. GAINSFORD acquitted himself well under a penalty in a stronger race last time so ought to fare better/pose more of a threat at this level. Both NEVADA KING and AUGUSTA BLUE had excuses for disappointing last starts but cannot be written off just yet. All of DRAGONFLY, PROMETTERE and PREVALENCE are likely to be competitive too. WOLRD’S BEST could confirm under the minimum penalty.
Selections:
#1 Natyam, #9 Prevalence, #6 Gainsford, #11 World’s Best
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120.000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: A race the improving 3yo fillies could dominate. ROYALS finished 2nd in a 1500m Listed race as a 2yo and could have more to offer over this trip on her return. Stablemates WINDRUNNER and RED PALACE opened their accounts last time and ought to make further progress too, though preference is for the latter given the manner of her course-and-distance success four weeks ago. Consistent hard-knockers METAR and ISLAND TREASURE should be competitive and will keep their younger rivals honest. FALLO ANCORA and SENHORA VICTORIA complete the shortlist.
Selections:
#3 Royals, #4 Red Palace, #12 Island Treasure, #9 Metar
Durbanville, 18.09.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1250m, Turf, R135.000, 16:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. MEU CAPITANO is held in high regard and has made a promising start to his career in two outings over 1000m, though could have even more to offer at this trip. Older rivals VELDSKOEN, CAFE CULTURE and returning GIMME’S LADDIE are well-bred geldings with few miles on the clock, so could improve to pose a threat. ALL ABOUT AL and WYAG, who is drawn wide, have both the form and race fitness to make their presence felt. Stablemates CHAMPION WARRIOR and THE FUTURIST are not without chances either despite their wide barrier positions.
Selections:
#6 Meu Capitano, #2 Veldskoen, #9 Gimme’s Laddie, #1 All About Al
Best Win: #10 SONG OF MYSELF
Best Value Bet: #9 LORD FYFIELD
Best Longshot: #9 LORD FYFIELD
