RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE@2024.05.18
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 1, Gallops, 1160m, Turf, R90.000, 11:45GMT+2
Race Summary: VIBE SA has finished 2nd in three of his last four starts, including on his Highveld introduction last time on his return from a rest during which he was gelded. He would’ve come on appreciably with the benefit of that outing so is likely to fight out the finish. Youngster HALCYON also filled the runner-up berth on debut in open company and should improve considerably given that experience so may have his measure. PRESSONREGARDLESS and SUMMER SHADE have shown enough to play a role. Watch the betting on newcomers FLIGHT ENGINEER and COCKEY WALK.
Selections:
#10 Halcyon, #1 Vibe Sa, #9 Flight Engineer, #2 Pressonregardless
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 2, Gallops, 1160m, Turf, R90.000, 12:20GMT+2
Race Summary: WHAT A LUCY has performed consistently/competitively in each of her four outings and has shown enough to fight out the finish with improvement expected after an encouraging reappearance. FOLLOW THE SUN fits a similar profile but may need the outing following a 111-day absence. ICE CAP, GLAWARI, SILKY JET and INTRO have the form and experience to stake a claim too. Watch the betting on well-related newcomer ONE PARTY.
Selections:
#2 What A Lucy, #4 Follow The Sun, #9 Intro, #10 One Party
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Good race. FROZEN FANTASY impressed when a wide-margin winner in open company on debut over 1200m and is open to any amount of improvement stepping up to this trip with that experience to count on. TOO LATE MY MATE and VISIONOFPEACE are promising 2yo fillies with solid credentials so are likely to pose a threat with this distance also likely to suit. VARVARA, VJ’S ANGEL and newcomer CODEWORD complete the shortlist. QUEEN OF FIRE had excuses last time and could do better too.
Selections:
#1 Frozen Fantasy, #3 Too Late My Mate, #5 Visionofpeace, #6 Vj’s Angel
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100.000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. DON’T CRY FOR ME confirmed the promise of his debut 2nd by winning over 1200m in his next/last start and there should be more to come from him, especially with this longer distance likely to suit. TINTAMARRE hasn’t been seen since his last-start 1160m victory 111 days ago but has to be respected as runner-up MOONLIGHT TRADER has franked that form with a win of his own. Preference, however, is for impressive debut scorer TRUTH who beat winners when skating clear to win by more than 4 lengths over 1160m five weeks ago. Watch the betting on well-bred newcomer ONE MORE STAR. Good race!
Selections:
#4 Truth, #1 Don’T Cry For Me, #6 One More Star, #3 Tintamarre
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R90.000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: ZIP CODE built on the promise of his debut 3rd over 1160m to finish 2nd over 1450m last time so he needn’t make a great deal of improvement to open his account. FESTIVAL OF MAGIC, ERMITAGE and recently gelded LONELY AS A CLOUD have scope to improve and could give cheek to the selection but a bigger threat could come from well-related newcomer TOP SEED – respect any market support.
Selections:
#10 Zip Code, #9 Top Seed, #8 Lonely As A Cloud, #2 Erimitage
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 6, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: DOUGLAS DRAGON has improved with blinkers fitted to finish 2nd in consecutive outings, including over this trip under Piere Strydom last time out. He could fight out the finish with STREWN SKY as the step up to this distance may unlock progress from the latter. TAXHAVEN disappointed last time after a commendable 5th in the Grade 1 SA Derby but boasts the form and experience to play a leading role too. MASTER TIK TOK, MAIN MISSION and JAPANESE MAPLE all have the means to get into the picture.
Selections:
#2 Douglas Dragon, #3 Strewn Sky, #1 Taxhaven, #4 Master Tik Tok
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 7, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R90.000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Tricky. DYNAMIC LASS has been sparingly raced but finished an eye-catching 3rd behind subsequent Oaks winner Frances Ethel when last seen on 23 January and, on the strength of that form, it could pay to follow her progress on her return from a 17-week absence. ANGEL OF MY HEART, KISS OF FIRE and WHISTLEDOWN ought to get involved if building on the improvement shown last time. Both TEO TORRIATTE and PERFORM can earn minor money.
Selections:
#3 Dynamic Lass, #5 Kiss Of Fire, #2 Angel Of My Heart, #4 Whistledown
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 8, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R110.000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: VIVA BRAZIL wasn’t beaten far in the Grade 1 SA Derby over 2450m and needs only to perform to that level to fight for victory. TWENTY DRACHMA’S made no impression from a wide draw on that occasion but ought to be competitive on the strength and consistency of his previous form. WEATHER WIZARD beat MAMBO COME TESIO and ARLINGTON ACTION over 2400m a fortnight ago but both re-opposing rivals are weighted to turn the tables. JET DYNASTY is better than his disappointing last run suggests while AFRAAD and UNITED COUNCIL are favourably treated by the conditions so shouldn’t be underestimated either.
Selections:
#3 Viva Brazil, #6 Twenty Drachma’s, #8 Mambo Come Tesio, #10 Arlington Action
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120.000, 16:25GMT+2
Race Summary: THUNDERSTRUCK doubled his Grade 1 tally by winning the Computaform Sprint over track and trip last month and is good value to confirm his superiority over familiar foes RULERSHIP and ZIYASHA, both of whom are 2kg better off. MOVER AND SHAKER is held on that form and isn’t likely to turn the tables either on identical weight terms. SHELDON is course-and-distance suited and has won after a rest so could pose the biggest threat. Stablemates COSMIC STAR and CHYAVANA are talented sprinters who have the means to acquit themselves competitively too. Good race!
Selections:
#1 Thunderstruck, #4 Sheldon, #2 Rulership, #5 Ziyasha
Turffontein Standside, 18.05.2024, Race 10, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R85.000, 17:00GMT+2
Race Summary: HALBERDIER has good sprint form but there are doubts regarding his effectiveness over this trip. RUN FOR COVER has improved considerably with blinkers fitted and was impressive in winning on the Inside track last time but has a hefty 8-point penalty to defy. POCKET WATCH, RADU and CALL ME MASTER are capable at this level of the handicap and ought to be competitive off their current marks. OPEN HIGHWAY has thrived over this extended distance and caught the eye over track and trip in a stronger contest last time so has leading claims, as does WILLOW EXPRESS who is 3kg better off with that rival.
Selections:
#10 Willow Express, #5 Open Highway, #3 Pocket Watch, #2 Run For Cover
Best Win: #1 THUNDERSTRUCK
Best Value Bet: #3 DYNAMIC LASS
Best Longshot: #3 DYNAMIC LASS
