RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE@2023.12.23
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R135.000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: PRESLEY should enjoy the extra and must be considered. He finished over two lengths in front of MASTERSHIP who was coughing last time and should make his presence felt over this trip. LE GRAND CAFE wasn’t disgraced on debut and will know more about it. FEEL ALL RIGHT never got into it last time and is capable of a lot better. TWO MILES WEST, BREATH OF MAGIC, KNOCKEMSTIFF and GOLDEN PAVILION could get into the money. Respect money for newcomer MARAUDING HORDE.
Selections:
#2 Presley, #1 Mastership, #10 Le Grand Cafe, #4 Two Miles West
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R95.000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: GREAT BARRIER should make a bold bid to exit the maiden ranks in this field. The only serious threat of those that have raced is MIZZEN SAIL. Watch debutante FRANCES ETHEL – she doesn’t have to be too good to win.
Selections:
#2 Great Barrier, #3 Mizzen Sail, #6 Frances Ethel, #5 Choc’ Late
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R105.000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: On collateral form a few runners could win. JUDGEMENT DAY enjoyed the long trip and if settles will have no problem with the extra. He should hold TWENTY DRACHMA’S but it could get closer over this marathon distance. AL BAYREG (races before this – watch) is improving with racing and should confirm with TAXHAVEN and ANIMAL IMPACT. CRIMSON FOREST has a chance on collateral form but also runs before this – watch.
Selections:
#2 Judgement Day, #3 Twenty Drachma’s, #11 Crimson Forest, #4 Al Bayreg
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1800m, Turf, R175.000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: On their best form all seven runners could take it. PLAYER and ELECTRIC GOLD are having their peak runs after a rest and gelding, and it could go either way. SHOEMAKER should be right there and could hold SECOND BASE on their recent encounter. GOOD COUNCIL, STAR COIN and RENY could pull it off.
Selections:
#6 Player, #2 Shoemaker, #3 Electric Gold, #1 Second Base
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R150.000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Small field but good race. UNITED COUNCIL found traffic problems last time but should have no problem with the longer distance – she gets the nod. NAMAQUA BLOSSOM stays well and should be involved in the finish. APACHE FIGHTER has run well over this course and distance and must be considered for honours. The remaining four runners could pull it off.
Selections:
#2 United Council, #6 Namaqua Blossom, #3 Apache Fighter, #1 Opera Glass
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R150.000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: This looks like a match race between GOLDEN SICKLE, who is bang in form and on a hat-trick, and TROPPO VELOCE, who showed she is top class with a fluent victory last time. CLIFF HANGER is no slouch and should make the Trifecta. Others looking to fight out Quartet money.
Selections:
#4 Troppo Veloce, #2 Golden Sickle, #1 Cliff Hanger, #3 Ziyasha
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R250.000, 15:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Nine runners compete in the Betway Lebelo Sprint (Grade 3) over 1000m. Three of them look destined to fight it out – ALULA’S STAR, RULERSHIP and FLOWERBOMB. RULERSHIP is looking for a hat-trick over 1000m and won his only start at this course and distance. There shouldn’t be much to choose between ALULA’S STAR and FLOWERBOMB on their last two meetings and either could take it. MOVER AND SHAKER and MAGIC TATTOO could fight it out for the Quartet.
Selections:
#6 Flowerbomb, #4 Rulership, #2 Alula’s Star, #1 Mover And Shaker
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R135.000, 16:30GMT+2
Race Summary: ICE STAR was just behind MOONSHININGTHROUGH recently and on 0.5kg better terms could turn it around. POWER BROKER pulled up distressed last time and if not troubled by breathing could get into the reckoning. BOLD ACT is finding form and could do enough for the Quartet. VEGAS HI RISE and RAGNAR LOTHBROK (has issues) but could take home minor money.
Selections:
#4 Ice Star, #1 Moonshiningthrough, #3 Power Broker, #2 Bold Act
Turffontein Standside, 23.12.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1160m, Turf, R110.000, 17:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Difficult race to end. MYTHICAL DREAM improved last run and finished ahead of IN THE BEGINING who lacked support after a rest – it could get close between them. SECOND BREATH wasn’t disgraced last time and finished 3 lengths in front of GRAPE SHOT (blinkers on). CULLINAN BLUE won well after a break and could go on. VIRGIN RIVER deserved her maiden victory and could improve further. LUCY IN THE SKY and SEA ANEMONE could find money.
Selections:
#3 Cullinan Blue, #6 Second Breath, #1 In The Beginning, #2 Mythical Dream
Best Win: #2 GREAT BARRIER
Best Value Bet: #6 FLOWER BOMB
Best Longshot: #6 FLOWER BOMB
