Best Bets And Tips: Turffontein And Scottsville

It’s that time of the week again where we look at the weekend’s best bets and tips in the world of horse racing. On Saturday, the action starts at Turffontein before we head over to Scottsville on Sunday for some post-Durban July fun.

Turffontein – (Saturday)

Race 1 – Quantum Theory

Following the disappointment in the Durban July last weekend, jockey Muzi Yeni will be raring to repay his punters after failing to win last week’s prestigious race despite riding the favourite. Quantum Theory looks to be a great bet to open the card on Saturday for the Robbie Sage stable. He beat a very competitive field last time out and showed that he is much better over 1400m as opposed to sprinting.

Race 2 – Barmaid

It will take a lot to beat the odds-on fancied runner in the race, but Barmaid certainly looked up to the task on her debut and should give this field a decent account of herself. The 2-year-old daughter of Jackson will come from an inside draw of gate 1 and has plenty of speed to go to the front and set her own pace. Warren Kennedy and Paul Peter team up once again and are tipped to be in the winner’s enclosure for Race 2.

Race 4 – Arilena

Arilena doesn’t offer much value in the betting market but looks to be a sure inclusion into all weekend multiples and a possible banker in the Pick 6. Jockey S’manga Khumalo will also be in high spirits after winning his second Durban July last weekend. This 3-year-old daughter of Silvano ran a close second on debut, and now with the experience under her belt, she should be able to come out the maidens here in what looks like a relatively weak field.

Race 6 – Casa Inverno

Trainer Paul Peter could have multiple winners on Saturday, this time in the form of Casa Inverno. Gabriel Pieterse gets the weight allowance of 2.5kgs to get off her back to only carry 59.5kgs. The daughter of What A Winter produced a cracking comeback run to win at the Vaal last time. All five of her victories have come over 1000m, so she should go close here.

Scottsville – (Sunday)

Race 2 – Fleet Commander

Sunday’s program at Scottsville looks like a tricky one to call. The top selection in Race 2, however, looks to have some show about him and will come on from that eye-catching debut run where he finished off nicely, despite being drawn out wide. Fleet Commander will get the services of Keagan De Melo on board and is trained by Dean Kannemeyer. He’s also the only horse in the race to have finished in the first four before.

Race 4 – United Prince

One of the better bets on the card seems to come in Race 4 where United Prince looks like he could be included in some multiples. The 2-year-old son of The United States gets the blinkers fitted and will prefer the drop in trip to 1000m. He has good gate speed, and from a fairly neat draw of barrier five, he should be right up there.

Race 6 – In The Summertime

In The Summertime is the best bet on Sunday’s card for a host of owners and connections. The 3-year-old gelding hails from the Gareth van Zyl yard, and is also co-owned by the renowned trainer and will get the services of Richard Fourie in the saddle. He won by just under five lengths last time out, beating a horse called National Dream, who has come out to win since that run. With luck in running, he should make it back-to-back wins.

Race 9 – Diamond Girl

The last race of the weekend sees Diamond Girl get the top selection here for the Dennis Drier stable. She is in great form, finishing third in her last start after winning back-to-back races. She did finish behind another horse in the race but has a 1.5kg turnaround at the weights. Sean Veale knows this filly very well and should be able to coax enough out of her to return to winn

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