Turffontein Saturday 19/1

bayern wrote: The wino's are confident Wine Festival will arrive here

Frodo wrote: Some very competitive racing on a day where the ground has turned up 'good to soft'with the possibility of further showers .... I think fractional betting is our big friend today .... thoughts:

R2: Top Shot has been disappointing in hos last two efforts, but is at best on this track where he has recorded 5 wins (2 this distance) and 3 seconds, so certainly was good value earlier on at double figure odds; The Dazzler a little more to do imo, but obviously can't be ignored - interesting runners are the stable mates Tendre and Tirzan - both ran poorly on Thursday night, but the fact that they are in again today might suggest that they used that run as a gallop two

R3: Real trappy opening leg of the PA, even a runner like The Litigator was not too far of them behind Two of Us - put in as many as the budget allows

R4: Open F&M handicap - obviously Sunshine Silk has consistent form and should be right there again; for me I think Pilgrim's Progress might find this track not to her liking, but is in great form and not to be ignored; best value imo is Emerald Bay, who I think is going to start to finish; Redberry Wood tries blinkers and more ground - who knows

R5: Silver Thursday a real disappointment; tries blinkers and if she suddenly decides to recapture the form that saw her run close to Takingthepeace, will take a lot of beating; safer options obviously Warrior's Rest (1800 ?) and Orpheus; March to Glory very easy maiden win and could be anything

R6: Need to take a stand somewhere, and I'm going with Hakeem, who is overdue to win; draw a slight concern, but hopefully not that big a disadvantage over the trip; big danger imo is Top Rank - has been disppointing recently, but I think the give in the ground could be what he is looking for; bar those two there are many others to consider for the places - only Cumberland, Cosmic County, Roman Flight and African Magic can be considered no-hopers imo

R7: Polar Ice - who knows - so this is another open race

R8: I fancy Dame Kelly, with Regal Graduation the biggest danger; Pale Lilac imo has a bit to find from the draw, but has obvious claims and the best roughie imo is Elusive Buttterfly - beat the useful Chitengo in July and has been dropping in the ratings

R9: Very open again; worthwhile inclusion could be Blindfold who has also taken a huge drop in the ratings

Enjoy