Philasande Mxoli and Calvin Habib hold strong cards for Saturday’s eight-race Standside meeting at Turffontein on 12 July and could share up to four winners.
Mxoli partners Paul Matchett’s duo — Rejuvenate in Race 1 over 1600m and Iconic Winter in Race 2 over 1160m. Rejuvenate meets stablemate Matcha Mint, who looks hard to oppose after three seconds in a row. But Iconic Winter could deliver in Race 2. The What A Winter filly impressed on debut last year with a strong finish for third over this course and trip, and should strip fitter for her recent comeback run after a year off.
Mxoli also rides In The Ether for Grant Maroun in Race 5 over 1160m. The veteran mare, back among fillies and mares, should be more competitive than in recent mixed fields. Mxoli knows her well, with three wins and multiple placings together, and she’ll appreciate the return to her preferred trip.
In Race 3, Mxoli’s Onceinabluemoon holds each-way claims but may struggle to topple Clinton Binda’s Amandla Ngawethu — Habib’s mount — who has run well over the same track and trip before and could open the Pick 6.
Habib’s day could peak with Birthright in Race 8 over 1600m. Alec Laird’s runner has an unbeaten course-and-distance record and comes in fit after a solid run over 1450m on the Inside track. The switch to the longer Standside run-in should suit him perfectly.
With strong rides across the card, Mxoli and Habib look set to dominate the Turffontein action once again.
Clive Robinson
