We kick off the weekend with three runners at Turffontein this Saturday 8th February 2020, with the most notable contender being LOOK TO THE SKY who lines up in the Grade 3 Tommy Hotspur Handicap. The meeting on Sunday has been moved to the Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly due to inclement weather. AFRIEL makes her return after two eye-catching efforts, when she has her first outing in KZN. TRAVELLING LIGHT (pictured) is another smart 3-year old filly making her return to racing and both fillies should be worth following in their respective races. See more about their chances, as well as our other runners here.
SATURDAY – 8 FEBRUARY 2020
TURFFONTEIN STANDSIDE
Race 1 – 12:30
1160m – Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
4 – Bahlebonke
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 16 (16 Runners)Predicted Betting: 25/1
This Pathfork filly has her debut here and despite the fact that we are expecting a positive showing, she will need to strengthen up and this will be a nice opportunity for the stable to give her a test to see where they are with her.
Race 2 – 13:05
1160m – Maiden Juvenile Plate
11 – Phinda Mzala
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 9 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 12/1
He gave a very good account of himself on debut, in arduous circumstances. Travelling between the 250m and 100m markers, Phinda Mzala was carried out significantly by a horse called Magic Blaze, which shifted out continuously away from the crop. Despite this, the former managed to get going again and he ran on nicely in the closing stages. He now steps up slightly in trip and if finding a smooth passage this time, we expect him to go a lot closer to winning and he should have a nice each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Made eye-catching late progress on debut. Will enjoy the extra distance on offer and should improve.
Race 6 – 15:25
1000m – Tommy Hotspur Handicap (Grade 3)
11 – Look To The Sky
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster
Wgt: 52.0kg
Draw: 7 (13 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
He is a very speedy sort, now having his toughest test to date in a field of very talented sprinters. With that said, we expect him to ping the gates and find a relatively handy position early on. From gate 7, he should be able to track over towards the better going on the day and if apprentice Syster manages to let him settle, he will certainly be in with a shout. There is a lot that needs to go in his favour in this class of opposition, but we are optimistic that he can find the first 3.
Winning Form Comment: Won latest with ease. Meets a competitive field, but don’t ignore.
SUNDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2020
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE POLY
Race 2 – 13:15
1000m – Maiden Plate
7 – Kings Road
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jason Gates (-1.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 7 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
He gave a very good account of himself last time out, when having the blinkers fitted for the first time. Back in KZN for his first outing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, he will be expected to show further improvement here and the 1,5kg claim will also help his cause. He does line up against some useful contenders with decent form to their names, but we expect him to be fighting out the finish and he must be included in all bets.
Winning Form Comment: Shown some pace on the Highveld. Blinkers worked last time and can shed maiden.
Race 3 – 13:50
1000m – www.trackandball.co.za Maiden Plate (Fillies and Mares)
2 – Afriel
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Anton Marcus
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 1-1
After two very promising performances in Gauteng, she suffered serious abrasions after getting loose at home. Since returning, we are very happy with the way she is coming along and her grass work last week was impressive. Anton Marcus picks up the ride for her first outing at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and if she reproduces her recent work, she won’t have much trouble dispatching of this field.
Winning Form Comment: Madame Patrice has been faring well in the handicaps. Will be running on.
Race 5 – 15:00
1600m – Track & Ball Gaming MR 68 Handicap
13 – Lauren Of Rochelle
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 55.5kg
Draw: 13 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 25/1
He has had absolutely no luck with the draws of late and that poor luck continues here. Drawn in gate 13, he will be dropped out once again and Athandiwe Mgudlwa will have his work cut out at the top of the straight, hoping for a smooth passage to mount his challenge. He continues to drop in the ratings and in this class of opposition, he should start to show some improvement. With a bit of luck in running, he should finish in the first 4 places.
Winning Form Comment: Dropping in the ratings and could improve.
Race 6 – 15:35
1000m – MR 98 Handicap
6 – Travelling Light
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Jabu Jacobs (-4kg)
Wgt: 57.5kg
Draw: 6 (10 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
She is a very talented filly with lots of scope for further improvement. Having spent some time at the farm, she has really thrived over the course of the spring and we are very happy with the way she is currently handling her work load. Having beaten the likes of Golden Chance by 5.95 lengths last time out, the latter has since gone on to finish 3rd in the Sceptre Stakes behind Celtic Sea and Clouds Unfold. On that collateral form line, she clearly has the accolades to pass this test with flying colours.
With that said, she does lack racing fitness having last been on the track in the middle of August last year, but if not too in need of the run she should go close to winning here.
Winning Form Comment: Progressive filly but may just need this outing. Has scope.
Race 7 – 16:10
1200m – MR 78 Handicap
6 – Binary Star
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Yuzae Ramzan (-4kg)
Wgt: 62.5kg
Draw: 6 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 25/1
He was a little disappointing last time out and we were hoping he would’ve gone a lot closer than the 5.05 length defeat he suffered on that occasion. Back over the same course and distance, he has his peak run after a rest and gets the services of the 4kg claiming apprentice. He is drawn on the right side of the course and with the expected improvement to come, he should go a lot closer this time and we expect a top 4 finish here.
Winning Form Comment: Finished well in latest and the apprentice claim will assist here.