Turffontein Saturday - Empress Club Stakes

Well the big royal day is almost on us.

Mrs S and myself will be racing, unfortunately I don't have top hat and tails but will get some nice pics for the gallery.

Had a brief look at the card and certainly not a scotia type punting day and the exotics should pay bombs ?

The main race can't separate Fort Ember and Safe Harbour, but it's also not just a two horse race.

I will probably take a pick 6 perm with a couple of the Clan and hope we don't have to back "Harakiri" in the 7th at Kenilworth

Please give me some of your expert thoughts and comments to help me through the day.

Good punting

Break a leg Bigbrass ........... nother russia gonna be a big runner me thinks. will give u something to think about ( exacta box )

Wrong thread.

In race 8 is Bonnie Prince an omen for the good?

Racing. It's a Rush: PRESS RELEASE

Subject: EXCITEMENT BUILDS FOR HSH PRINCESS CHARLENE EMPRRESS CLUB STAKES

Date: 21 April 2017

It’s high fashion and high stakes.

By now dresses have been picked out, suits tailored and top hats waiting patiently for their wearers. There’s an air of anticipation as Turffontein Racecourse prepares to welcome Her Serene Highness Princess Charlene of Monaco to the city track on Saturday.

It’s a day that sees the Benoni-born royal lend her support to the Sport of Kings with the main aim to raise funds for a number of causes, chief among them the Highveld Horse Care Unit, the Gugu Lesizwe school and the Red Cross.

Funds for these initiatives will be raised from the Diamond Drop which will see a helicopter swoop over the venue and drop a marker. The winner will be the ticket holder of the relevant block in which the diamond lands with a prize, sponsored by Petra Diamonds, worth R150 000, up for grabs.

The entry fees for the lucrative HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Maiden Plates have also been added to the amount for the various charities.

The highlight of the day will be the running of the HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Empress Club Stakes, a Group One race that sees a maximum field of 16 fillies and mares battle it out in a R1-million spectacle and in a bid to emulate the feats of a former champion.

Empress Club is regarded as one of South African horseracing’s legendary performers with six Group One wins to her name among 17 career victories spanning between 1991 and 1993 including an impressive win in the Met.

For racegoers there is also the opportunity to stand a chance to walk away with one of four R10 000 cash prizes as part of a Best Dressed competition on the day. In order to qualify as one of the Best Dressed couples, ladies need to be wearing a fascinator or hat and gents must be in top hat and tails or black tie with a hat.

Tickets for the HSH Princess Charlene of Monaco Ladies Day are available at Webtickets ( goo.gl/Nid30l ) or at the gate on the day.

Ok Dave, I'll give it a go

Firstly I think arrive a bit later, as race 1 looks almost guaranteed to provide some sort of upset - for Elvis's sake I hope Striker can drop Inga out to come from off them; however from that draw he probably will sit handy

R2: Not much easier than the opener - I'll be hoping to survive the BP with Alpine Glacier, Tharoos, King of Mani, Pied Piperess and the roughie Led Zeppelin

R3: Not getting any easier, Starpath would be an automatic choice over a bit more ground, but the 1400 worries me - interesting that Gavin is on neither Starpath nor Nordic Rebel, which adds to the complexity of the race - I'd have a look at how Tharoos goes in the 2nd and if he wins or runs close, maybe consider an each-way on Nordic Rebel - 8/1 does seem a fair price imo

R4: Tough start to the P6 - draw often a factor over this 1400, so my first choice is 16/1 shot Charter Jet - has run well this trip and both poor runs recently came in soft going, but for the P6 I'll be including at least numbers 1 thru 8, add 15 and 16 and even 17 if she gets a run

R5: Will have to narrow it down at some stage, and it does look as if Count Tassilo and Kings Archer hold many of the others; third choice would be Prospect Strike - may need the run, but his rating has come tumbling down and his form this time last year was very good - good draw will help and maybe the blinkers as well; next choice is Alaadel - good form over this distance and in his last run he was used as a pace setter in the Classic; Coral Fever had a very good last win, but was given 7 points for that win and that looks a bit harsh to me

R6: Got to take a stand somewhere and for me it will be Silver Stripe - very capable and a winner this trip - should hold Patchit Up Baby at the weights and not much between that one and the other contenders Zafira and Zante - but I will probably cover with those in a JP

R7: Competitive feature race as per the betting; I'll be including the obvious runners like Safe Harbour, Fort Ember and Star Express - and definitely Bella Sonata, who has a wide draw, but is really well in here at the weights imo and with the big field I think the pace will be on which will suit her running style; others to consider imo are Juxtapose (ideally needs 1800 at least imo), Intergalactic, Trophy Wife. Polyphonic, Heaps of Fun and Nother Russia

R8: Handicap where quite a few needs consideration again; but due my restricted budget I'll be taking a chance with King and Empire - consistent recent form, has placed in the first 3 on 6 occasions out of 8 tries over this trip and also has a win, 2 2nds and a 3rd for this jock- good draw to boot; main danger probably Bonnie Prince followed by Jackman, Resolute Captain, Nephrite and West Coast Warrior

R9: Many with chances imo - so I'll just take the field - and hope that Manx Park returns to his best form with the help of a tongue-tie.

Enjoy

R1 SPAN DIE SEILE
R2 LE TIGRE
R3 NORDIC REBEL
R4 MOMENT TO SHINE
R5 FOREST FOX
R6 SILVER STRIPE
R7 SAFE HARBOUR
R8 NEPHRITE
R9 BONNIE DAWN
R10 STARK

Elusive Fort exacta
Safe Harbour x Fort Ember

Just the Empress Club Stakes interests me today. I've gone with Fort Ember 7/1, Nother Russia 10/1

Fort Ember's really matured into a top filly. Hasn't been disgraced against the boys lately and back up against her own sex, has a good draw and should be fighting out the finish.

Was so happy to see Nother Russia win last time and it was an amazing one at that. Always liked this filly and she gets a good draw this time. This is the strongest field shes taken on this far but I'm hoping she's up to it.

Also would not begrudge seeing Safe Harbour get a Gr 1. She certainly deserves it after being on the wrong end of a few close calls. Another I think is overpriced is Anna Pavlova @ 40/1. Worth a few rands but unfortunately the draw again might kill her chances. But it's definitely a very competitive race and will be worth a watch.

Thanks Frodo and others you have confirmed that its a social day with punts in the cape and uk to cover the JWBs

Nother Russia - After today the 40/1 for the VDJ will be gone.

Below is my preliminary P6 at R972.00. Comments and input will be valued.

Race 2 no 9 Bombs Away - dropping in merit rating, 3rd run after rest @ 14/1 decent e/way value imo