There’s plenty of fascinating feature racing action to look forward to this weekend, including the Summer Cup at Turffontein on Saturday.
Greyville (Friday)
Race 1 – Caramel Fudge
Caramel Fudge is the selection in the first race on Friday evening. He finished in the money in both of his starts to date and from a good inside draw of 2, he should be right there in the run down to the line. With Ashton Arries aboard for Garth Puller, the pair should be right there in the run down to the line and should be able to get the day off on a winning note.
Race 2 – Chelsea Blue
Chelsea Blue was impressive on debut finishing in third. She gets in-form Keagan de Melo in the irons today for and from pole position, she should be up to the task at hand and should be able to shed the maiden tag quite easily.
Race 8 – Winter Journey
Winter Journey and Muzi Yeni have been in good form and from draw one from the Wayne Badenhorst stable, the pair should be right up there in the final furlong. With there being a bit of rain overnight, the track should be a little quicker and that should suit his handy running style.
Turffontein (Saturday)
Race 4 – Gobsmacked
Gobsmacked showed her ability in her last start to get up on the line to make it four wins from as many races, keeping her unbeaten record intact. The daughter of Querari gets the services of Keagan De Melo once again, who is riding at the very best of his career. She’ll be much fitter now and should make it five wins on the trot.
Race 7 (Summer Cup) Grade 1 – Nebraas
Mike De Kock holds a strong hand in this year’s Summer Cup, with Sparkling Water and Safe Passage being the fancied horses in the race. As hard as it is to look past them, you get the feeling that trainer, Sean Tarry, could spring up yet another upset as he has done on many occasions. The top selection here is Nebraas, who will get the services of the blonde bomber, Piere Strydom, who reached 5500 career wins this week. The 6-year-old gelding has been finishing off his races nicely and will give more than a decent effort in this year’s Summer Cup, bringing up another Tarry victory in this race.
Race 8 – Gimme A Shot
Gimme A Shot steps up to a mile for the first time and looks set to return to winning ways here. The 3-year-old filly from the Mike and Adam Azzie stable has been doing her best work late in the closing stages of her races and should relish the step up in distance. She finished right behind Miss Daisy and Feather Boa in her last start and has all the potential to turn the form around.
Kenilworth (Sunday)
Race 4 – Doubling Up
Richard Fourie and Justin Snaith team up in Race 4 to bring home Doubling Up. The well-bred son of Twice Over will have his first run as a gelding and should win this with relative ease should he be fit. It isn’t the most competitive field for runners so this looks like it could prove to be one of the most profitable bets of the day.
Race 6 – Silvano’s Dasher
The highly-rated Silvano’s Dasher steps onto the track once again looking for a hat-trick of wins. The stunning grey gelding got up on the line on his last two starts, finishing strongest of all, leaving no doubt that he’ll be at home over the 1600m trip. Keagan De Melo retains the ride for the Brett Crawford stable and should be able to lead this one home.
Race 7 – Charles Dickens
Undoubtedly the best bet of the weekend comes in Race 7 on Sunday as the devastatingly good, Charles Dickens, returns to the track. He’s won all his races to date in quite convincing fashion and is the early favourite for the Cape Guineas. The Candice Bass-Robinson-trained colt will be using this as a prep run for tougher races in the future, but should still be able to get the victory under his belt.