Punters to score

TODAY’S public holiday has an eight race card at Turffontein where punters look to have some fair opportunities.

over 1800m, a workrider’s maiden, Thunder Applause ran a fair race from a handy position with first time blinkers on last time over 2600m and will be dangerous here over this drop in trip with the top workrider Ndlovu aboard. Champion workrider Sam Mosia is aboard Trippi gelding Payne's Grey, who showed a fair turn of foot last time over 1600m before running on at one pace. His useful full brother Liquid Mercury won the Gr 3 Winter Derby over 2400m, as well as a handicap in Dubai over that distance, so on pedigree he should enjoy this step up in trip. William Grace needed his debut over 1600m and then pulled his way to the front with blinkers on last time over the same trip, so he could be surprise place getter here being by Dynasty out of a useful Jallad mare who won threein-a-row early in her career from 1800-2000m. Uposeupay beat Payne’s Grey last time over 1600m by half-a-length when setting the pace from pole position. He now has a good draw again, while Payne’s Bay is drawn wide. Uposeupay has not been successful over more than a mile before but could do better this time as he has generally improved recently. Reminiscence ran on well from the back to finish second over 2000m last time, but the time of the race was slow.

over 1450m, a maiden

In race one In race two

plate for three-year-olds, Querari Viking finished second over 1600m last time and the form has worked out well, so he should do well fresh over this likely too sharp trip. The wide draw is a concern, but his class could pull him through. Zagazig will improve on his fair debut over 1600m being by Silvano and he has a good draw. Sabre Dance stayed on well over course and distance last time for third and has a good draw again. Sail For Joy is knocking on the door and can earn again. Dromedaris has the form to earn too.

In The race three

over 1450m Public Protector will relish the step up to this trip and is likely looking for even further. She was slow away on debut over 1200m down the straight, but she was making up ground with long strides in the final stages for a fair fourth and is well drawn here. She will likely need to jump quicker than she did last time as this track is tight. Rose Water is knocking on the door and should be improving being by Silvano. Pearl Valley ran a good race over course and distance last time from a similar draw and Andrew Fortune is up. Countess Jemina moved up well over 1800m last time from a handy position before fading so might be interesting here over shorter, although she didn’t feature over this trip early in her career and has a wide draw here too. Danny’s Well should be improving.

over

fourth race

1200m William Nicol caught the eye as a horse who is coming into his own when winning over 1200m at the Vaal last time and has a good draw here, although he does have a five point higher mark to contend with and hasn’t run since the end of May. Hililyhililyhilo is a progressive and consistent sprinter who is distance suited and has a fair draw. Inspector Casey wasn’t disgraced against stronger in a handicap last time over this trip at the Vaal and is well drawn.

Dolphin showed a return to form last time and can go close if reproducing his best run over course and distance. Cinema Scope’s best recent run was over course and distance and he is drawn in pole off a six point lower merit rating.

The fifth

over 1600m has attracted a surprisingly weak field considering it’s a Novice Plate for fillies and mares. Sao Paulo looks like an improving sort and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Babbling Brook is a Western Winter half-sister to the useful Brooks-Club. She romped home when stepped up to 1600m in her third start and the form has worked out well. She does have a high draw to overcome and is not officially well in at the weights as a young three-year-old, but on a line through Pearl Valley looks to just have the beating on paper of Sao Paulo, but the latter is better drawn.

Silvery Dream is the second best weighted horse and is distance suited but has a tricky draw. The officially best weighted horse is Fort Ember, but she hasn’t run since finishing a 2,75 length sixth in the Gr 1 Thekwini Stakes over a year ago and the form of that race has not worked out well. Spring Dance has become disappointing but on pedigree should enjoy this trip.

The sixth

over 1600m Dealer's Charm will relish the step up in trip having run on strongly from well back to win over 1450m on this track on debut and although he has a wide draw he should rise above his 66 merit rating. Triple Beat is better than his last start and is well drawn over a suitable trip. Ciao-Ciao went close over 1450m last time on July 3 after a long break and is well drawn over a suitable trip.

Streetwear ran well first time out the maidens and handles this trip but he does have a tricky draw. Fangia and Scotland could earn.

In the seventh

over 1800m American Tiger is unbeaten over course and distance and only two points higher than his win last time from a similar draw. Rain Shadow has been unlucky but is now drawn in pole and could be the main danger along with Shot.

over 2200m Tricia Dupont didn't enjoy the poly last time and should do well from pole position being just two points higher than her last course and distance win.

Tobesuretobesure could go close if not over racing in a likely pacemaking role. A P Chanel should go well with Fortune up from a good draw.

In the last