The absence of feature races shouldn’t detract from the 10-race Inside track meeting at TAB Turffontein on Saturday 14 November, as there is serious money to be made and several attractive betting propositions to consider. In particular, a handful of last-start winners capable of building on recent successes, making their progress worth following.
That trend could begin as early as Race 1, where Heavenly Blue gelding Golden Warrior looks well positioned to make it back-to-back victories. The Alson Ndzilana-trained four-year-old confirmed the improvement of his penultimate outing over 2400m by winning over the same distance on the TAB Turffontein Standside track last time.
A similar assignment and three-point penalty for that latest success are unlikely to halt his momentum, even with Callan Murray taking the reins for the first time. He could get the meeting off to a winning start in the 2600m opener.
There is a potentially exciting prospect to follow in Race 2, where well-bred colt From Winter looks capable of maintaining his unbeaten record. This What A Winter three-year-old could hardly have been more impressive on debut over 1160m on the Standside track, taking up the running 400m out before drawing clear to score by 3.60 lengths, hard held.
He was full of running at the finish, and the winning margin probably flattered the runner-up. The switch to the Inside track over 1200m should hold no fears for Lucky Houdalakis’ promising inmate, who has drawn favourably in gate No 3.
In-form Tristan Godden takes the reins, and From Winter looks an exciting prospect whose progress is best followed until beaten.
Race 5 over 1800m presents another interesting contest, with last-start maiden winners Celtic Manor and Whatwillbewillbe likely to fight out the finish in their first outings beyond maiden company.
Candice and Tammy Dawson’s stable is in red-hot form, and their Master Of My Fate filly Celtic Manor makes her first appearance over this extended trip following a hard-fought maiden success over 1450m before a 10-week break. However, the jockey arrangements are particularly noteworthy. Tristan Godden, who partnered Whatwillbewillbe in the Master Of My Fate gelding’s last two starts, now rides Celtic Manor.
That is an intriguing development given the improvement shown by Weichong Marwing’s runner since relocating from the Western Cape to the Highveld. The fitting of a hood and earmuffs, together with Godden’s assistance, appears to have brought about a change in fortunes.
Whatwillbewillbe followed an encouraging third over 1600m on his Highveld debut with a maiden victory over 2000m on the Standside track, with Godden in the irons.
So the rider’s decision to switch mounts is therefore worth noting, although both last-start maiden winners have the credentials to make their presence felt. It could pay to include both in Swinger and Exacta bets.
One of the card’s most intriguing runners makes a welcome return from a 217-day absence in Race 7 over 1200m. Querari colt Turn It Up was last seen winning the R3-million Race Coast Sales Slipper at Hollywoodbets Greyville in April, completing a hat-trick of victories (1000m, 1160m and 1200m) after finishing second on debut over 800m.
There have been several subsequent winners to emerge from his last three outings, underlining the strength of his form. Sean Tarry’s highly regarded charge now makes his reappearance under visiting French rider Mickaëlle Michel, who made history last season by becoming the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race in South Africa. She also takes a handy 1.5kg off his back.
Turn It Up is unlikely to be fully wound up after such a lengthy layoff, but he is open to any amount of improvement so could extend his winning sequence. That said, he won’t have things entirely his own way, even from gate No 1.
Mike and Mathew de Kock-trained Gimme A Fireball is a formidable opponent, having won both his starts over 1200m, including his only course-and-distance appearance. The well-bred Gimmethegreenlight colt, a R2-million yearling purchase, landed back-to-back 1200m victories before finishing an unlucky fifth in the Grade 3 Graham Beck Stakes over 1400m on the Standside track a fortnight ago.
He was eased and cramped for room at a crucial stage of the finish, yet still managed to finish just three lengths behind stablemate Fierceness. He could well have finished considerably closer with a clear passage, and the return to 1200m is an obvious plus.
Turn It Up is an exciting talent whose progress deserves to be followed, but Gimme A Fireball is no mere supporting act. This is a fascinating clash between two promising colts, with little separating them on potential.
Swingers and Exactas could again prove the prudent betting approach in what promises to be one of the day’s most competitive contests.
Clive Robinson
