Upcoming Midweek Runners: 6 – 9 January 2020

We kick off the week at Flamingo Park on Monday 6th January 2020, where Spanish Fort has a nice chance once again, in the 2nd race on the card. On Wednesday 8th January, we turn our attention to the Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Track, where Ralph The Rascal (Pictured) has his debut after an impressive trial. Thereafter, Lauren Of Rochelle and Agent Murphy (Reserve) line up in the 4th race. Finally, on Thursday 9th January 2020, we have four runners out at the Vaal. A few should be involved in the finish, but see more about their chances here.

Monday 6th January 2020
Flamingo Park

Race 2 – 13:05
1000m – MR 70 Handicap

8 – Spanish Fort
Trainer: Cliffie Miller
Jockey: Marco van Rensburg
Wgt: 55.5kg
Draw: 5 (10 Runners)
Current Betting: 8/1

He has been a consistent performer of late and the speedy son of Elusive Fort gets the blinkers refitted for his 14th career outing. Drawn on the right side once again, Marco van Rensburg retains the ride and he will be looking to capitalise on that favourable 2,5kg turn around at the weights with the winner of his last start. He is an honest sort and we can expect him to give another good account of himself. If he doesn’t win this time, he will be right there again.

Winning Form Comment: Is held by number 5 on latest, but gets the blinkers re-fitted.

Wednesday 8th January 2020
Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly Track

Race 2 – 13:30
1200m – Maiden Plate

2 – Ralph The Rascal
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2 (12 Runners)

He was eye-catching in his barrier trial a few weeks back. Despite being slow into stride as he left the stalls, he moved up impressively travelling through the 450m marker and went on to win the trial. He now lines up for his debut over the same course and distance and lands the added benefit of a finding a plum draw. Tristan Godden rides and on his ability shown, we expect him to be involved in the finish.

Winning Form Comment: Gimmethegreenlight gelding.

Race 4 – 14:40
1400m – MR 68 Handicap

9 – Lauren Of Rochelle
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 56.5kg
Draw: 9 (14 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1

He has his peak run after returning from that 14 week lay-off in August last year. The handicapper has been kind to him, having shaved off 6-points in his last three starts and he has now landed on a very competitive looking mark of 61. Athandiwe retains the ride from another wide draw, where he will be dropped out early. A fitter horse this time, he will once again be running on strongly in the closing stages and if finding a smooth path through, he should have a nice each way chance.

Winning Form Comment: Dropping in the ratings. Respect.

13 – Agent Murphy
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Reserve
Wgt: 61.5kgDraw: *
Predicted Betting: 7/1

As he is a reserve runner, he will have to wait for a withdrawal in order to take part in this race. With that said, we’ll be hoping for a much better ride this time after he found himself at the front in his latest effort. He is far more comfortable sitting just off the speed and as a result of that poor position last time, his effort faded out tamely over the last 350m. If building on his penultimate start, he should give a much better account of himself.

Winning Form Comment: Inconsistent form but chance if repeating penultimate effort.

Thursday 9 January 2020
Vaal Turf

Race 2 – 13:40
1000m – Maiden Plate

2 – Blow Me Down
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2 (16 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 5/1

He has taken a while to get going but the penny seems to have dropped for this son of Toreador. He has his peak run after a rest now and going on his current trajectory, he has the credentials to go right onto contention once again. Captain Hindsight is probably the horse to beat here, having finished just under 2-lengths in front of us last time. But S’manga Khumalo retains the ride and if he can track across from gate 2, he will finish a lot closer to the former if not in front of him and as such, has a nice each way chance.

Winning Form Comment: Finished behind number 1 last time. Having peak run. Don’t ignore.

4 – Jozi Hustle
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 7 (16 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 10/1

Jozi Hustle stems from the same form line as the stable companion, having finished behind Blow Me Down last time out. A speedy son of Great Britain, he is much better than that effort suggests and we’ll be expecting him to repeat that effort he showed in his penultimate start. Warren Kennedy takes the mount, the pacifiers get fitted and we’ll be looking for a top half finish.

Winning Form Comment: Is held by number 1 on latest, but gets the pacifiers fitted and Kennedy rides.

8 – Kings Road
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 6 (16 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1

He has had three modest starts over the 6-furlongs and considering the amount of early speed he has shown, he is going to relish this drop to the minimum trip. Jeffrey Syster claims the 2,5kg’s off his back and despite the fact that he is more than likely outgunned by Captain Outsight and Blow Me Down, we expect some improvement and he can find the places.

Winning Form Comment: Has been showing speed over six furlongs. May enjoy the drop to the minimum trip. Can improve.

Race 3 – 14:20
1000m – Interbet.co.za Maiden Plate (Fillies)

2 – Blessed Rain
Trainer: Stuart Pettigrew
Jockey: Gavin Lerena
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 15 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 7/1

She was a little slow out the stalls in her comeback run last time out and she did well to stay on in the closing stages, despite finishing over 7-lengths back. She needed the run more than we expected and it was encouraging to note that she didn’t cough this time. The run has brought her very nicely and she will go to post a lot more tuned up for this outing. Gavin Lerena is a positive jockey booking this time and if she jumps on better terms here, she will go right into contention. Rainbow Haze and Towards The Sun appear to be the main dangers to her, but with the expected improvement this daughter of Soft Falling Rain could finally live up to expectations and she gets an each way chance.

Winning Form Comment: 2nd run after rest. Found betting support when needing comeback run last time. Should strip fitter. Include.

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