There’s plenty to keep TAB horseracing fans interested this weekend and the action kicks off with a potential clash between the country’s two leading trainers in a pair of Listed races at Fairview this Friday. Attention shifts to the finals of the Winter Country Championships at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday followed by an attractive, and winnable, Pick 6 at Turffontein on Sunday.
While Alan Greeff saddles two quality runners and has home-ground advantage in both Listed features, champion trainer Justin Snaith is raiding with capable contenders who could spoil the Greeff party. Snaith’s mare Knockout ran a credible fifth in the Grade 2 Gold Bracelet, finishing strongly from off the pace on the tight Hollywoodbets Greyville circuit. She won her only previous start at Fairview and could deliver a knockout punch to Greeff’s Lady Silvano in the 2000m Jockey Club Stakes (Race 6).
Royal Aussie is an accomplished 1600m runner with solid form and squares up to local star My Best Shot in the Memorial Mile (Race 7). Stand by for an exciting duel.
Old-timers and career rivals All About Al and Bluff On Bluff face off once again in Race 6 over 1200m, one of four R200,000 Winter Country Championship finals on the card. They have met seven times with Bluff On Bluff holding the edge with two wins to one and several close placings. Eight-year-old All About Al, however, now enjoys a 3kg weight advantage over his year-younger rival and could level the scores.
Another Cape Town stalwart Sugar Mountain looks the banker of the day in Race 3 over 1500m. He is in the form of his life and rated 14 points and more superior to his rivals. Rely on him to extend his winning run.
William Haggas and Tom Marquand have combined to win seven minor races already this month and could add a feature trophy in Race 4, the Visit Malta Hungerford Stakes over 1400m, with four-year-old colt More Thunder. He claimed last month’s Bunbury Cup over the same course and distance, and Bruce Raymond, racing manager to More Thunder’s owner Saeed Suhail, said: "I can’t see why he won’t be up to it. He’s been unlucky not to be unbeaten this season. Having only run in handicaps, his rating is still relatively low compared to some in the race, but I’d be very disappointed if he wasn’t up to this level."
Galaxy Bar, now in the care of Richard Lines, has been steadily building towards peak form in Malaysia and looks ready for an ice-breaking win in Race 11 over 1800m. The six-year-old made his debut here over 1200m in June and has been upped in distance gradually since then, finishing a strong third over 1600m recently. He’s back to his preferred journey here and looks the right choice.
TAB customers must please note that with effect from Selangor this Sunday, the unit cost of a Trifecta on races in Malaysia will increase to R10 with no fractional betting. Until now the unit cost of Trifectas on Malaysian races was R1 with a minimum bet value of R10, but the unit cost has now been upped to R10 following a request from the Malaysian racing authorities. The unit cost of Exacta and Trio bets remains R1 with a R10 minimum.
The Ultimate King looks a sound Pick 6 banker in the topliner, Race 6 over 2000m. He has been progressive and reliable this winter, winning three times in succession, and could still be ahead of the handicapper. It will come as a surprise to see him beaten.
Another formidable Pick 6 contender is Matcha Mint (Race 4). He is ideally course and distance suited, well drawn and has shown more speed than main rival Special Star - an advantage on the Inside track.
Talented sorts Chestnut Bomber and Pioneer Square look set to do battle in Race 5 and classy Francilien should dispose of lesser lights in Race 7 over 1200m, even though she may be ring rusty after a rest. The same goes for Bjorn Ironside in Race 9 over 1200m. He is the class act of the race, but it may be wise to add a few others in your perms because of his lack of a recent run.
Leg 1: 1
Leg 2: 1, 5
Leg 3: 1
Leg 4: 1, 2, 5
Leg 5: FIELD (1-8)
Leg 6: 2, 4, 8