Tough racing as usual but take comfort in the fact that season time is just around the corner. Nothing stands out today; perhaps Dauncing Aunt, National Appeal and Generous Colt may be worth a tickle at the right price.
Race 3
1 IMPRESARIO Massive improvement last run when trying 1900m 1st time - more still to come?
2 SAUBESTRE Excellent form with plenty scope to improve. 1st time this distance
3 CASE OF CLASS Massive improvement last run when trying 1900m 1st time - more still to come?
4 THE TIBBULATER Always thereabouts. 1st time this distance and in with a shout
5 MAJESTIC KNIGHT Eye catcher with plenty improvement to come but not much in his favour here and likely to get caught too far back. Watch for next time
6 COUNT OLIVER Very little to like, others preferred
7 OPERA SCORE Very little to like, others preferred
8 TAVISTOCK 3rd run after a rest and well in here with an age advantage, good draw and the necessary pace required to have any hope in this big field of hungry maidens.
9 THORN ATTACK Best form of the lot and the only 5yr old in the race. A serious contender if improving on promising last effort. 2nd run after 15month rest the big concern.
10 FIERY GEM Others preferred
11 PURPLE ACADEMY Well held on recent form
12 BOMB SQUAD hopeless
13 RENAISSANCE hopeless
14 DIVINE SINGER hopeless
15 BREAK COVER hopeless
Extremely difficult race to assess. 7 runners come in here with similar form and experience, all with realistic scope for improvement and winning chances. Add to the mix that 3 of them are going over this distance for the first time - It's a minefield!
Race 4
1 GEMS DELIGHT peaked with a purple patch last winter season - 3 in row and nothing since.
2 COMMON LAW Purile PE returnee with 18draw over 1600 at this course - hopeless
3 MARILYN Interesting formline; 1 good run 1 bad run like clockwork last 8 runs. Time for the off run today? Must have a chance but no good thing
4 WEST TO EAST Venturing beyond sprint distance for the first time. 2nd run after a rest, if not affected then a massive runner from gate 1. Carries 8kgs more than last time.
5 SMART EMPRESS Nice looking filly just out the maidens so hard to recommend with confidence here. Likely to still be on the upgrade so could sneak in.
6 EQUILIBRIUM hard to assess. Obviously has ability but not getting it right yet
7 CASEYS DAWN Can't recommend
8 CHASE THE WIND Unlikely to feature
9 SHATTER Moderate formline nothing to recommend
10 BELLA LUCIA Battled to win maiden. Can't see any hope here
11 FINLAND Very poor form and unreliable
12 BI KHIM 3rd run after rest, uninspiring form but not without a place chance
13 KILLING TIME Always close up at the finish and in with a chance here
14 FLY WITH ME Close but no cigar
15 STEALING ROSES 3rd run after a rest, uninspiring form but not without a place chance
16 SUMMER MATINEE Problem starter, can't recommend
17 DESERT ATTACK
18 CONNELS FAITH
West to east has the credentials here but the 2nd run after a rest syndrome is always a concern. Marilyn should be waiting in the wings should the West to East fail but even then only with minimal confidence; her record shows a distinct pattern of reliably unreliable.
Race 5
1 VALDOVINO Talented mare, looking to find that magic gear from earlier in her career. Big runner.
2 EMPRESS AWARD Excellent last win albeit in a weak field but does appear to have found peak fitness lately. A big ask against this class, other preferred
3 MRS BOUQUET 2nd run since arriving from the highveld so expect improvement, place chance
4 THE LUCKY CAT Opposition too strong for a win. Place chance in this small field
5 WILD ISLAND Watch for big improvement on last run. An imposing filly with plenty ability and a definite runner here
6 CORNUCOPIA 3rd run after a rest, formline indicating potential and she is bred to contest the features. Will relish to extra distance and this is a good opportunity to show just how much promise she holds.
7 NORDIC MOON 1st run since arriving from CPT. Hard to assess at this stage but form is impeccable
8 IN VOGUE Place chance at best
A really tough race with almost all having a squeak. Plenty eyes on Cornucopia as with all expensive purchases. This isn't a pushover field and she's going to have to be really good to win this. Valdovino already has the track record at high level and if she comes in looking like she did in January then a big runner. Wild Island, impressive looking filly and perhaps still way short of her true potential, a winning chance if showing the expected improvement. Nordic Moon first time in KZN and could be anything.
Race 6
1 FAR UNDER PAR Old man 7 time winner. Always thereabouts but form displaying the 'past his best' sign. Has been looking good on the canter pasts lately so perhaps not done for.
2 COMPASS LINE Always the lurker
3 GONE FISHING Decent last run and some ok past form so could surprise
4 DUST N GOLD Has potential and a contender here if returning fit from the rest
5 HOLD MY JACKET Room for improvement. distance is a concern, likely to need further to be competitive
6 BEACH GAMES hard to assess, could be anything. Lurker
7 RUSSIAN KITE Ultra consistent form but no good thing
8 NATIONAL APPEAL Troublesome but has ability. Well in here and a big runner
9 LIZARDS LUST 3rd run after a rest. Well treated at the weights and will be competitive
10 STEEL OF APPROVAL A tough ask
National Appeal has plenty ability but doesn't always bring it on. Lizards Lust is right in there so is Russian Kite on form. The 2 older horses can't be left out either and it doesn't stop there. This is another tough race with the value favouring National Appeal and Lizard's Lust.
Race 7
1 MODERN QUEST No discount for pensioners! Will have to be peaking to have a winning chance here
2 STATUE OF LIBERTY Nothing to indicate any hope
3 TEST STRIPE Flopped last time but solid form prior to that. Has yet to get into the firing line over 3000m and best performances have been over 2400/2500. Nevertheless, an obvious chance in this field
4 GENEROUS COLT Put up his best performance in a while last time when running an impressive 2nd at his first attempt over this course and distance. Perhaps the marathon trip is what he's been looking for but either way, it's going to come down to his wellness on the night. Has this field at his mercy on strength of last run
5 SAURON Runs in just about every local staying race that comes up. Sometimes gets close but can't be fancied
6 KHYBER POINT first time beyond 2000m. According to trainer, pedigree suggests he will stay but on his work at home it's hard to predict whether he gets the distance. He is fit and well but will have to take his chance against far stronger here due to a lack of racing options for his MR. Expected to be competitive if enjoying the extra
7 PLATINUM FLOW Appears to be best in the soft
8 HERE COMES THE SUN Nothing to recommend
Generous Colt is the obvious selection here on his last effort. Perhaps a bit unreliable previously when going over shorter so the question here is very much an issue of will he repeat the last run. Khyber Point, unknown quantity over the distance so could sneak in. Of the balance, the usual suspects here again as always, fighting for an outside chance
Race 8
1 DANCING AUNT 3rd run after rest and progressing nicely. Probably looking for further but has the draw advantage and must surely go close
2 DAY TO REMEMBER 3rd run after a rest. excellent last run and difficult to assess how much firepower he brings to the party tonight. Drawn in the rough.
3 STRIKE A CHORD Outgunned, outside place chance
4 DANCING FALCON May improve but not much to like here
5 MINARET 3rd run after rest. Nothing to recommend
6 KEY OF LUCK 2nd run after a rest. a lurker against this company
7 RUSTICANA ex PE. ignore
8 CAPRI no hope yet
9 MISS TIRAMISU since returning from the rest some improvement on embarrassing earlier form
10 GRAND COSMOPOLITAN Has been getting closer to the hot end in last few starts but still far from competitive
11 STAR QUEEN Poor form
12 KAHAL DOLL Poor form
13 CROWN IT ALL Poor form
14 SONIC SUSY hard to assess
15 TIME hopeless
16 WAITERS EYE Well in with good jockey and draw. Hard to assess how much improvement can be expected. Could be enough to compete here
17 HESTIA reserve runner
This looks tailor made for Dancing Aunt who has the draw advantage. Going to turn into a buffalo stampede with this big field of battlers so inside draw is critical. Waiter's Eye will also be jumping with every chance from gate 4 and the improvement to come is guesswork so take your pick. Excellent value (4/1) with Dancing Aunt.
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