Best Bet: KINGDOM OF LOGRES (Race 7)
Value Bet: IMPACTFULL MISS (Race 8)
Jackpot (race 5 – 8)
|
1st |
2nd |
3rd |
4th |
|
1 |
10 |
2 |
11 |
|
7 |
9 |
6 |
12 |
|
13 |
11 |
|
7 |
|
|
1 |
|
|
Cost: R72.00
Race 5
MR METRICS made a solid improvement to win his last start over seven furlongs by 1.3L. He raced just behind the leaders that day before striking the front at the 200M mark to record his third career victory. He will have to negotiate a wide gate nine, but he should use his early gate speed to move across without expending too much energy.
GALACTIC WARRIOR has finished closer to the winner in each of his last three starts, the latest when second over seven furlongs, one and a half lengths behind the winner. The gelding was slow away on that occasion and overraced in the early and middle stages, before coming three wide into the home straight, but stayed on well over the closing stages and even from a wider draw twelve, he should be right up there when they hit the line.
MY BLUE JEANS made good late progress when ending up in sixth place last time out over 1300M, just under four lengths back from the winner. He is drawn one inside the latter and is likely to be dropped out of it in the early stages and then start to pick off the front runners over the latter part of the race.
Race 6
SWEYSIVE finished third in his latest outing over six furlongs, just under a length and a half off the winner, when returning from a 19-week break. He raced wide throughout but still battled all the way down to the wire and whilst he faces a wide draw ten, he looks to be the one to side with here.
SUMO STAR’S last five runs have yielded three seconds and two third-place finishes, the latest third over seven furlongs, just under a length adrift of the victor. He did jump awkwardly on that occasion and overraced throughout, but hit the front at the 200M pole, only to be run out of it late. The gelding jumps from gate seven and should appreciate the drop in trip.
THE EIGHTH I AM has cracked pole position and has only had the two runs to date, finishing fourth on debut over 1100M and then fourth again, this time over six furlongs, six lengths adrift of the winner, when returning from a 24-week spell. He showed plenty of toe that day and would have come on further with that run under his belt. He will have ex-SA jockey Brandon Lerena in the irons, so will get all the necessary assistance from the saddle. There is an unraced runner in the field, so keep an eye on the betting markets to get some indication as to whether his connections believe that they can win first time out. Any betting support for him should be respected.
Race 7
The day’s best bet, KINGDOM OF LOGRES has only had the three runs to date, but goes for his hat-trick after victories over a mile and the latest over ten furlongs by one and a half-length, despite being slow away and being bumped at the top of the home straight. The colt will have to deal with a wide draw thirteen and does return from a 13-week rest, but he has had the benefit of two barrier trials to prove his well-being.
A 4yr old and a 3yr old filly could chase him home, with the slight preference going to DOOLA TEELA who raced up with the pace before finishing third last time out over 1300M, two and a half lengths behind the winner. She is drawn one outside the top choice and should keep him honest.
PREFER TO SMILE came from some way back when showing marked improvement to win her last start over ten furlongs by putting 2.3L between herself and the opposition and was immediately rested for 27 weeks. She returns here after having had four barrier trials and from a slightly kinder draw eight, she should be involved in the finish.
Race 8
IMPACTFULL MISS is a 3yr old filly taking on the boys, but she showed any amount of speed when winning by 0.8L on debut over five furlongs, notwithstanding his jockey dropping his crop at the 50M mark. She returns from a 57-week spell, but she has turned in two encouraging barrier trials and the fact that her connections have brought her back into racing after such a lengthy absence would seem to suggest that they believe that she still has something more to offer them. As such, she is made the value bet on the day’s card and could give trainer Annabel Neasham a quick double in the Jackpot.
BATTLE ABBEY had his consistency rewarded with a one-length victory last time out over five furlongs. The colt raced wide throughout in that event but delivered a powerful finish to win going away. He will have to overcome a wide gate twelve, but he should be doing his best work late.
FLYING SHELLY is another 3yr old filly in the race, but she is seldom far off the action, finishing third last time out over six furlongs, just under two lengths back from the winner, notwithstanding overracing in the early stages and coming three wide into the home straight. She comes back from a 20 week rest, but has had the two barrier trials and from her useful draw three, she should be included in all bets.