Saturday’s feature programme at Hollywoodbets Durbanville opens Cape Town’s summer season, but the focus shifts to Turffontein’s Inside track on Sunday, 28 September. While the eight-race card carries no black-type events, it offers valuable pointers for upcoming Highveld features, particularly among the three-year-olds.
Punters may want to keep a close eye on Philasande Mxoli and Calvin Habib, who look set to dominate the second half of the meeting. TAB’s Jackpot TWO could easily revolve around the pair, with strong rides in all four legs from Race 5 onwards.
Race 5 sees trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren unveil four exciting sophomores. Debut winner Stormy Day, impressive in July, will draw attention, though Habib’s mount Top Division appeals most. The well-bred gelding showed promise when fourth over this course and distance and looks primed to improve.
That form ties neatly into Race 6, where The Last Duke, narrowly ahead of Top Division last time, should be hard to oppose under Mxoli.
In Race 7, Habib partners Palace Dancer, who shaped well when runner-up over 1450m on her comeback and can go one better now.
Race 8 highlights Mxoli’s strong book. Chieftain’s Shield, revitalised since blinkers were reapplied, has won three of his last four. He defied a ratings hike last time and another penalty may not stop him extending his sequence.
Elsewhere, Race 4 could provide value through Avoontoast. Representing trainer Joe Soma and jockey Craig Zackey, the gelding stays the trip and connections boast a strong recent record together.
All told, the Mxoli–Habib axis looks poised to stamp its authority on Turffontein’s Sunday card, with Jackpot TWO the recommended betting play.
