TAB WEEKEND RACING HIGHLIGHTS: 11 - 13 July

COMPETITIVE LOCAL ACTION AS BIG NAMES CLASH IN UK

A top-class filly bids farewell to racetracks in a Listed feature at Fairview this Friday, ahead of a testing Pick 6 at Turffontein on Saturday when competitive fields leave little room for error. Sunday’s Polytrack meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville also contains a string of tightly-contested races and on the international stage some big names will their stuff at Newmarket’s July Course on Friday and Saturday.

FRIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

FAIRVIEW: LUNA HALO CAN END RACING CAREER ON A HIGH

The Western Cape is represented by well-performed Time For Love, Gimmethatpearl and Fun Zone in Race 7, the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes over 1600m. There is not much among them on recent form, but they all have to beat Luna Halo, the 10-time winning local champion older filly. She was beaten by Rainbow Lorikeet in this contest last year, but could score against slightly weaker this time. Trainer Alan Greeff noted: "Luna Halo is ever-consistent. She isn’t drawn too well, but this is her swansong. She’s off to stud soon and we hope to see her go out on a winning note."

NEWMARKET: AIDEN SEEKS THIRD G1 FALMOUTH SUCCESS

The Group 1 Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes (Race 4, 1600m) has several illustrious names on its roll of honour, including Soviet Song, Goldikova and Alice Springs. Aiden O’Brien seeks his third win in the race with last season’s smart juvenile January, who is prominent in the betting and on the comeback trail. She has a strong rival in Charlie Appleby’s year-older Cinderella’s Dream, only once out of the first two in 11 career starts and a model of consistency. She is looking to build on her second place in the Duke Of Cambridge Stakes last month and should go close again.

SATURDAY HIGHLIGHTS

SELANGOR: STRONG DRAGON TO BUILD ON DEBUT VICTORY

Two-year-old Strong Dragon made an eye-catching debut and can follow up in Race 4, a Class 4B contest over 1200m. Ignored in the market on debut, he scored impressively in a Restricted Maiden at this track on 15 June, sweeping past his rivals to win by 1.25 lengths. He now faces more experienced opposition, but the authority of his debut win suggests he has the talent to rise quickly through the grades. The meeting starts at 07:00.

TURFFONTEIN: TAB PICK 6 CAN DELIVER A BOMB PAYOUT

Punters face a typically competitive winter card with plenty of scope for upsets. The Pick 6 is well worth targeting and could pay handsomely to those able to navigate the six legs. There are two legs in which a couple of runners could suffice. Miss Argonaut (Race 4, 1160m) recently relocated to the Highveld and is regarded as feature material, but she has a possible challenger in Famous Lady. Alec Laird’s duo of improving Birthright and in-form The Playboy Bomber could dominate in Race 8 over 1600m.

SUGGESTED R288 (33%) PICK 6 PERM (Leg 1 Race 3 @ 13:55):

Leg 1: 1, 9, 10

Leg 2: 2, 3

Leg 3: 1, 4, 6, 7, 9, 11

Leg 4: 1, 2, 3

Leg 5: 1, 5, 7, 9

Leg 6: 3, 7

NEWMARKET: APPLEBY’S LATE ENTRY APPEALS IN BIG SPRINT

First run in 1876, the July Cup Stakes over 1200m (Race 6) is one of Europe's premier Group 1 sprint races. There are no stars in the field this year and Appleby has supplemented his 1600m star Notable Speech into the contest. This has changed the complexion of the race and last year’s Group 1 Sussex Stakes winner has been installed ante-post favourite. Applebly’s stable confirmed that the decision to run Notable Speech was made following a "very pleasing piece of work over the weekend", suggesting plenty of confidence in his chances.

SUNDAY HIGHLIGHTS

PERAK: SUPER SALUTE CAN LAND FIRST GRADE 1 SUCCESS

Talented sprinter Super Salute will be chasing his first Grade 1 victory in Race 6, the Perak Gold Vase over 1100m, but he’ll face stiff opposition from the country’s most progressive performer Filial Dragon. Super Salute should prevail, however. He brings strong credentials, boasting a higher rating than his rivals plus Group 2 and Group 3 victories in Singapore to his credit. He returns to a track where he’s tasted success before and has an edge at the weights under the handicap conditions. The first race is off at 07:15.

SHA TIN: RELY ON BOWMAN TO DELIVER ON PATCH OF THETA

Happy Together returned to form with a narrow second to Copartner Prance over 1400m and should relish the step back up to 1600m in Race 8, the Hong Kong Owners Association Trophy. He’ll have to be at best, however, to beat consistent top-level performer Patch Of Theta. Francis Lui’s gelding reunites with Hugh Bowman after running on well for fourth off a slow tempo last time, and the jockey change could prove decisive. This is the last Sha Tin meeting of the season, which ends at Happy Valley on Wednesday next week. Race 1 is at 10:00.

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE: PLAZA ACCORD TO IMPROVE IN SECOND POLYTRACK RUN

Useful Plaza Accord was somewhat disappointing in his only previous run on the Polytrack, but looks weighted with a winning chance in the topliner over 1400m (Race 8). On a recent line of form on the turf track, Plaza Accord has the easy beating of Strathclyde, who is the highest-rated runner in the race and is fancied to win by a number of tipsters. Plaza Accord should improve in his second start on the refurbished surface and is worth an eachway bet.