There’s plenty of fascinating horse racing action to look forward to this weekend with plenty of value on offer from .
Greyville (Saturday)
Race 6 – Trip Of Torfune
Trainer Candice Bass-Robinson looks to have brought an outstanding float of runners to KwaZulu-Natal and one of the best runners from her yard comes in Race 6 in Trip Of Fortune. The son of Trippi won the Horse Chestnut Stakes in his last start and is a 1400m specialist, winning all four of his runs over this distance. Aldo Domeyer gets the ride and looks tough to oppose here.
Race 7 – Golden Hostess
Once again, the combination of Aldo Domeyer and Candice Bass-Robinson should be worth following here with Golden Hostess standing out as the top selection. She’s come up against some Grade 1 winning company in her last few starts and bounced back to victory in a Grade 3 last time out. She has the widest draw to contend with but has the ability and class to overcome anything that stands in her way.
Race 8 – Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens makes the trip to KZN ahead of the new season and there’s no doubt that this will be a prep run for bigger and better races to come, but he does come up against a new-found rival of his in Cousin Casey, who he beat by over 4 lengths in the Cape Guineas. Again, it’s the Aldo Domeyer-Candice Bass-Robinson combination teaming up, and as much as their other horses have chances throughout the day, Charles Dickens does seem to be the banker for all exotic bets.
Race 9 – Our Emily
After her fourth successive victory aboard Our Emily, Rachel Venniker described her bond with this filly as special as they team up and chase a staggering five wins in a row. The daughter of Rafeef has plenty of gate speed, and from barrier draw one, she does look the horse to beat. She carries 55.5kgs with Venniker taking a further 1.5kgs off her back. Definitely one for trebles and doubles on the day.
Turffontein (Sunday)
Race 1 – Barbaresco
Barbaresco and Keagan de Melo look to be a good bet to start the day’s proceedings. He ran a good 2nd on debut, despite losing a length at the start, and the pair look to be the best to start the day off on Sunday. He took on winners on that day and should make his presence felt against the maiden company.
Race 2 – Rose Tinted
Rose Tinted is a winner taking on maidens and gets the apprentice Siyanda Sosibo, who claims 2.5kgs which should aid her past the winning post. The daughter of Flower Alley will relish the step up in trio to 1160m and with a wide draw up the straight, she should be tough to oppose.
Race 4 – Mayor Of Merrivale
Neo Quale and Ashley Fortune look to have the day’s value bet in the form of Mayor of Merrivale, he steps out over the extra distance on offer here and the pair should be able to break the maiden. Quale finished third in his only attempt aboard this son of Rafeef. It isn’t the most competitive field, so he should be able to get the job done.
Race 7 – Shangani
It will be a true test of stamina in Race 7 for this year’s running of the Gold Bowl over 3200m. The top selection is Shangani who is a champion stayer and a winner of his only attempt over this distance. He gets the ride of in-form jockey Keagan De Melo and should be able to fend off his opposition.