Thursday 15 October’s eight-race TAB Turffontein Inside track meeting may not boast a feature-race headline but there is no shortage of betting ammunition, with Philasande Mxoli, Sean Tarry and Tony Peter all in line for potentially lucrative doubles.
Mxoli should get his best opportunity to strike early on Satisfied in Race 2 over 1200m. The Paul Matchett-trained Futura filly bounced back to form on her three-year-old debut at the Vaal, where she finished second to Treasure State after being well supported from 8-1 to 33-10.
That comeback run should have brought her on significantly and, with Mxoli back in the saddle, Satisfied won’t need to find much improvement to shed her maiden tag. She shapes as a strong Place Accumulator banker.
Mxoli can immediately double up on Spy Story in Race 3, also over 1200m. The five-year-old Bezrin gelding was backed last time but finished unplaced after his rider reported something amiss. His previous three starts (two wins and a second) tell a far more compelling story.
The return to 1200m looks another positive, and Spy Story has every chance of bouncing straight back. The recent winning spree of owner-breeder-trainer St John Gray’s green-and-white silks adds further confidence.
Quantum Theory is the value play in Race 4. The seven-year-old Querari veteran is now racing off a career-low mark and is favourably treated on official ratings. His recent form hardly screams confidence, but he has been competing against quality opposition and a slight ease in grade could make all the difference.
Add champion jockey Craig Zackey to the equation and Quantum Theory becomes a serious each-way proposition. At the right price, he is the sort of runner who can make a Pick 6 ticket pay.
Then comes the Peter power play.
Art Nouveau looks capable of defying a three-point penalty and following up in Race 6 over 2000m. The consistent Querari mare beat familiar rivals Future Date and Azaleas For All last time, and although both are better off at the weights, Art Nouveau won decisively enough to suggest she can confirm her superiority.
Peter’s Jack’s Legacy is another strong candidate in Race 7 over 1450m. The lightly raced four-year-old Buffalo Bill Cody filly took the step up in trip in her stride when beating male opposition over this course and distance last time.
A three-point penalty is hardly ideal, but nor is it enough to deter her followers. Two wins and two seconds from four starts is a compelling profile, and this filly looks ahead of her current rating. Her upward trajectory is worth following.
Tarry should finish the job with Lightinthewoods in Race 8 over 1450m. This well-bred Gimmethegreenlight filly flew home for a close third over this course and distance last time when taking on male rivals. She now drops in class, races off an unchanged mark and gets a much more favourable assignment against her own sex. That makes her a confident exotic-bet banker in the finale.
Clive Robinson
