May 24 South Africa (Greyville) form analysis
Many first-timers. Of those who have run, (4) DARK MATTER has gone close at both starts and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time. Drawn well and should go close.
(6) WINTER BLESSING has come on nicely at recent outings and should be competitive.
(7) CASSANDRA got a cautious thumbs-up from her in-form stable and is one to watch in the betting.
(2) MS SAKURA has a blue-blood pedigree but may need further.
Race 2 (1,200m)
Mostly first-timers. Of those who have run, (9) HAWKSDALE found some market support on debut and finished close-up. She takes on males but looks forward enough to take this race.
(8) VANAKKAM was a modest second at her second start but has been entered for the Grade 1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship.
(1) GOLDEN OPERATOR has the best of the draws and comes from a strong stable.
(13) ZIYAN'S PRIDE has the widest draw but does have some experience.
Race 3 (1,400m)
(2) RUN FOREST RUN made good improvement at his second start, running on strongly. The extra furlong will suit and from a good draw, he should put in another strong showing.
Visiting (6) XENOPHON found market support on debut and showed up well. That experience will count in his favour and he will be a big runner.
(4) BRUH was a distant fourth on debut but should come on from that and should enjoy the extra.
(9) GOOD OMEN raced green on debut and should come on from that effort.
Race 4 (1,800m)
(6) DESTINY OF FIRE takes on males but has good form in useful female company of late. She goes well this trip and should be in the shake-up.
(2) WORLD OF OUR OWN is back over a more suitable trip and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he should be a big runner.
(3) ARVERNI KING was a smart second behind the promising Regulation last time. Richard Fourie replaces the apprentice rider.
(14) JOHNNY THE THIEF has the worst of the draws but has been in good form of late and can feature.
Race 5 (2,400m)
(7) HOLDING THUMBS was making steady progress up the handicap before putting in a below-par effort in the Grade 3 WSB 1900. However, he did not get the best of passages and this step-up in trip will be more to his liking.
(8) MARAUDING HORDE has consistent Highveld form over the trip and is a borderline case for a place in the Durban July. A win here will help his cause.
(2) SHOOT THE RAPIDS was making late progress in the 1900 and will much prefer this trip. He has a big weight but looks capable.
(4) FUTURE SWING was probably in need of his last effort. He shoulders top weight but is not out of it.
Race 6 (2,000m)
(9) GIVE ME EVERYTHING caught the eye when closing fast from a wide draw and the back of the field when a two-length fourth in the Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. It snapped a four-race winning streak but the extra could see her back on track in the Grade 2 Woolavington.
(6) BEATING WINGS carries top weight but has been in good form on the Highveld and finished third in this race last year.
(8) REGENERATION is lightly raced and was a close-up fifth in the recent Grade 2 WSB Fillies Guineas. She will enjoy the step-up in trip and handy galloping weight.
(7) MOCHA BLEND was possibly just in need of her last start when beaten by (10) MASCHERINA. She found good market support that day and is better off at the weights.
Race 7 (2,000m)
(7) EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN is sure to start deep in the red given his record winning the Grade 1 WSB Cape Met and the Grade 1 Cape Derby and his fast-finishing effort in the recent Grade 2 WSB Guineas. He is ideally suited to this trip and is the horse to beat.
Mike and Mathew de Kock have avoided the Grade 2 Woolavington 2000 looking for a Grade 1 win with the filly (4) SPUMANTE DOLCE. She has shown her best form at recent outings and this trip will suit.
(1) OKAVANGO was running on late in the Grade 3 WSB 1900. He looks to be up against it in this company but is still improving.
(3) CONFEDERATE has not finished further back than second in his eight starts. He won his last two including the Grade 1 SA Classic. If he is ready after a three-month break, he should be right there.
Race 8 (1,200m)
(10) SOHOT SOWHAT was narrowly beaten by the useful Bevies Delight on this course last time.
Title-chasing Gavin Lerena has jumped ship to ride (1) BOSUM BUDDY but weight could have been the decider. Bosum Buddy has the best of the draws backed up by some solid Highveld form.
(2) MALCOLM'S DREAM is always dangerous and has dropped in the handicap.
(4) WINGS WITHIN ME has not been far back at recent starts and should be competitive.
Race 9 (1,200m)
(5) DAPPER is a recent addition to the Duncan Howells yard. He was a well beaten third over a mile last run but does appear to be more at home over this shorter trip.
(7) PHUTULICIOUS returns from a disappointing Cape trip and has a change of stable. His best recent form has been at Hollywoodbets Greyville and that past form with a drop in trip could see him make big improvement.
(9) REAL WAR backed up on his maiden win with another narrow victory. He has been around the turn and can feature again.
(8) HONOR OF KINGS is better than his last effort and shows some promise.
Race 10 (1,200m)
(2) VIRGIN RIVER has only once been out of the money in 13 starts but has been restricted to 1,000m. Greyville favours quick horses and she could handle the extra furlong.
(7) GOLDEN MOMENT has consistent Highveld form and stays the trip. She should put in a good showing.
(11) GETOFFOFMYCLOUD was a little disappointing on the Poly last run and can do better on the grass.
(8) THERE SHE GOES has her 55th start but has been in good form of late. With a 4kg apprentice up, she has only 50kg on her back.
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July 24 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,200m) (3) EMPRESS WU is overdue for a maiden win. She would not be winning out of turn after four second-place finishes in a row. (1) TRAIL RUNNER was recently gelded and has the form and experience to fight out the finish. (4) SHIMMERING also has a role to play. (2) FIRE STARTER will not need to improve much over this shorter trip to make his presence felt too. Race 2 (1,600m) (5) TRIP TO STATES was a well-beaten second last time but needs only to repeat that performance over this extended trip to play another leading role. (4) CODEWORD finished a career-best second in this headgear three weeks ago under the same rider and could fight for victory if confirming that improvement. (6) WINCHESTER and (1) JOHNNY DRAMA appeal most of the remainder. Race 3 (1,600m) Last-start scorer (8) TOMMY SHELBY and debut winner (7) COPPER EAGLE are promising 2yo colts with scope to improve over this extended trip that should suit. (2) WAR REPORTER confirmed his previous outing by running second over 1,800m recently. He should go well again over a course and distance he is unbeaten. Hard-knocker (3) LAUGHING WILLIAM bounced back to form last time and could be hard to peg back if adopting similar tactics. Race 4 (1,000m) Consistent (5) KIA KAHA fared slightly better than (1) COSMIC QUEEN in a stronger 1,000m race last time but the latter was drawn wide around the turn that day and with any improvement should turn the tables. (2) BOSUM BUDDY had excuses for a disappointing last start and should not be underestimated on her Highveld return. (4) STARS AND BRA'S is not taken lightly off her reduced mark. Race 5 (1,200m) (4) FALCON STRIKE took advantage of a drop in the ratings when winning last time and a four-point penalty is not likely to prevent another forward showing. Runner-up (3) ALONE TIME is 1.5kg better off, so he could avenge that 1.10-length defeat. Highveld newcomer (1) PEREGRINE FALCON should not be underestimated on his reappearance off a career-low mark. Hard-knockers (8) PHALA MILLIONS has the form and experience at this level to also acquit himself competitively. Race 6 (2,400m) Progressive (4) LAVA LAMP and the thriving (7) CARTAGENA are both last-start winners, though preference is for the latter whose experience over this distance will stand her in good stead. (2) ARTIC SILVER finished third in her sole 2,400m appearance at a higher level and won her only start on this course, so she is not taken lightly either. (1) ORDER OF HOPE has claims. Race 7 (2,000m) Top-weight (1) SNEAK PREVIEW will appreciate the step-up to this distance and is worth siding with off her career-low mark. (2) HAT FURIOUS and (3) RED SPARROW have performed moderately since opening their accounts but are not underestimated off their reduced marks. (4) CREPUSCOLO has earning potential too. Race 8 (1,450m) (4) RED AMBER got going late to finish a close-up third in a stronger race over 1,400m against male opposition last time and this extended trip will be more to her liking. Will be hard to beat against female-only rivals. (5) GHOSTBUSTER will likely pose the biggest threat, as she remains open to improvement on her return from a break. (6) SHEETS AND GOGGLES and (9) LADY LOXTON complete the shortlist.
