Classic Day a World Attraction

Muzi Yeni

It is Classic Day at Turffontein on Saturday and what an outstanding meeting this has turned out to be.

This is one of the best days on the racing calendar and it is headlined by three Grade 1 races. These are the Wilgerbosdrift HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m as well as the HKJC World Pool SA Classic and the Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic, both over 1800m.

There are a lot of betting opportunities on this 12-race card with Hong Kong World pool betting on the three Grade 1 races, a carryover Pick 6 with an expected R4-million pool, three Jackpots and two BiPots.

I have six rides on the day and I’ll certainly be hoping to get into the winners’ enclosure on such a prestigious afternoon of racing.

We’ll get straight into the day and Race 1 is a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1160m.

Detailed Forecast is the horse to beat. She is having her third run after a rest and looks cherry ripe for a massive run.

Power Of Pearls went way too fast last time out over 1450m and the drop back in trip will suit. Based on her previous form she is definitely the immediate danger.

Onceinabluemoon ran a much better race last time out and if she is able to repeat that effort then she is a definite runner.

Watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to the chances of the unraced runners.

Race 2 is a Maiden Plate over 1160m and Highwayman Harry is the horse they all have to beat. He ran a really good race last time out when going down to an unraced horse who could be anything, and of the raced runners he is the horse to beat.

Green Machine drops back drastically in trip and returns after a lengthy break, but if he is close to peak fitness then watch the betting on him because he could run into the money.

There are some extremely well-bred and expensive unraced runners who could be anything so once again it’s essential to watch the betting and canter past for the best guide to their chances.

Race 3 is the Listed TAB Storm Bird Stakes over 1000m and my best bet on the card comes up in the form of World Attraction.

World Attraction was probably the most impressive juvenile winner all season and if he is able to repeat that performance it will take an extremely good horse to beat him, and I make him a banker in all bets.

Gimme A Vodka won a good race last time out but on collateral form lines he does have a couple of lengths to make up. However, he is still unexposed and with the cheek pieces added there could be further improvement to come and he looks the main danger.

Volcanic Heat has won two in a row and remains unbeaten, but this is a much tougher test, although she could run into the money and earn some valuable Black Type.

Race 4 is the Listed Wilgerbosdrift Ruffian Stakes over 1000m and Griselda stands out as the filly they all have to beat.

Her last win was really good and with further improvement she has a very good opportunity to win this Listed contest.

Secretary Bird looks a very promising filly as well and rates the main danger, giving trainer Sean Tarry a very strong hand in this race.

Lanzarote ran a very good race when second to Griselda last time out and with the weight turnaround she should run into the money.

Race 5 is the Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m and I ride Warm Reception who disappointed me last time out when unplaced in the Wilgerbosdrift Gauteng Fillies Guineas. This looks an easier assignment in my opinion and I’ll be very disappointed if she isn’t in the first three, and I make her one of my better rides on the day.

Care Forgot ran a really good race last time out and will enjoy the step up in trip based on that effort. From a good draw she rates the biggest threat.

Bakwena was very impressive in a small field last time out and if she is able to bring that form into this race she will be competitive.

Gerbera drops back slightly in trip but she has really strong form to her name and looks to be one of the main contenders.

Famous Lady won a good race last time out and must be included in wider bets as must Warning Sound, who also won a good race last time out.

Race 6 is the Grade 1 Wilgerbosdrift SA Fillies Classic over 1800m and I ride Scarlett Heart who has won two good races in a row, but this is a massive step up in class and I’ll be hoping to run into the back end of the Quartets.

Hazy Dazy is the horse we all have to beat after her impressive victory in the first leg of the Triple Tiara. That win confirmed her form in the Fillies Mile and showed that she is the best three-year-old filly on the Highveld.

Charge It has finished second to her twice and she should love the step up in trip so she could definitely bring it closer and she rates the main danger.

Champion two-year-old filly Golden Palm hasn’t quite been able to recapture her brilliant best yet but she ran a good race last time out and if she is able to improve on that then she is a definite runner. These three horses should get you through all bets.

Race 7 is the Grade 1 HKJC World Pool SA Classic over 1800m and what a quality race this has turned out to be.

Jan Van Goyen on his best form is the one to beat. He was disappointing last time out when unplaced in the L’Ormarins King’s Plate but if he is able to return to the form of his penultimate start then he is the standard setter.

Splittheeights won the first leg of the TAB SA Triple Crown in good fashion and he is still very unexposed so further improvement could be expected now that he steps up in distance and he rates the main danger.

Grand Empire jumps from draw No 1 and should enjoy the step up in trip. He is a classy horse that must go into all bets.

Trust was unlucky last time out and without any issues this time around over a trip that should suit, he must be included in all bets.

Errol Flynn could be anything after two very impressive wins and on the evidence of those performances he should enjoy the step up in trip and while this is his toughest test to date trainer Joe Soma knows what it takes to win a Classic.

Race 8 is the Grade 1 HF Oppenheimer Horse Chestnut Stakes over 1600m and some of the best horses in the country take their places.

See It Again was super impressive when capturing the Cape Town Met and a repeat of that performance sets the standard.

The Real Prince is a top-class individual, having won multiple Grade 1 races, and he is in very good form and looks the main challenger.

I would be surprised if these two horses do not get you through all bets.

Race 9 is the Grade 3 JJ The Jet Plane Stakes over 1000m and I ride Cosmic Star who was disappointing last time out and I’ll be hoping he can return to his best form. If he does, he will definitely be able to feature.

Green Diamond is one of my value selections on the card. She was hugely impressive when returning to form last time out and off a light weight of 51.5kg I think she represents massive value in what is otherwise a very open race.

William Robertson ran a lovely race again last time out and he rates one of the main dangers.

Taxi To The Moon goes for three in a row and while this is tougher he must be respected.

Constellation returns from the Cape after a fair effort in the Cape Flying Championship and he must go into wider bets.

Mount Pinatubo ran a decent race last time out and he has always been a very good horse so he can also go into wider bets.

Race 10 is a MR 100 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m and I ride Poblano who is in really good form. She is one of my best rides on the day and I think whatever beats her will win.

Precocious, however, is a filly on the up and she goes for four wins in a row. She has been ultra-impressive in all her victories and with the apprentice allowance she might be tough to beat.

Alpine Jet ran a better race last time out and with further improvement could run into the money.

Manyeleti returns from a break but has shown good ability and if close to peak fitness she must be considered for your bets.

Race 11 is a MR 96 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and I ride Vamanos who was disappointing last time out. But he has the benefit of a good draw this time and I’ll be hoping she can run into the money.

Pretty Persuasive is the horse we all have to beat and I make her the value bet on the card. She drops drastically in class after competing in feature races and this looks the right distance for her. Based on that she will be a very hard horse to beat.

Too Late My Mate is in decent form and her winning turn shouldn’t be too far away and off a handy weight she can go into larger bets.

Race 12 is the final race on the card and it’s a MR 79 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. I ride Glamorous Lady who has been slightly disappointing of late but once again she jumps from a good draw which will be beneficial and I’ll be hoping she can run into the money.

Traditional Belief won a really good race in her second start and from draw No 1 will get all the favours. With the apprentice allowance she only carries 52kg and she could be a very tough nut to crack as she could still be far better than rated.

Cape Saffron was slightly disappointing last time out but drops in both class and distance which should suit and she must be included in all bets.

Trail Runner was carded to run yesterday and if she did then it’s unlikely she will line up in this race. but if she does take her place she goes for three in a row and will be one of the main contenders.

Quiet Winter ran a really good race last time out and should enjoy the step up in trip and although she is drawn wide she must be respected.

BEST BET

Race 3 No 3 World Attraction

VALUE BET

Race 11 No 5 Pretty Persuasive

PICK 6

R540

Leg 1: 2, 4, 7

Leg 2: 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12

Leg 3: 1, 2, 3

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Leg 5: 2, 3

Leg 6: 13