22-06-2025
June 23 South Africa (Turffontein) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m)
(1) DESERT CLOUD has been costly to follow, but she had legitimate excuses in her last two starts and would not be winning out of turn.
(9) HOTARU has a prior engagement so her participation must be monitored, but she would have every chance if she takes her place.
The returning (2) MISS MUNROE is not to be taken lightly either.
(4) MISTY METAL will make her presence felt if her recent improvement is no fluke.
Race 2 (1,000m)
(7) TRAJANUS was well fancied in the market when only touched off on debut. He would have benefited from that experience and would not need to improve much to go one better.
(8) UMZINGELI WENYATHI fits a similar profile and should acquit himself competitively.
(1) BINGO has the form and experience to play a leading role too.
Newcomer (9) ALPINE JET is worth a market check on debut.
Race 3 (1,000m)
(10) SNOW QUEEN improved with the benefit of an introductory outing to finish a close-up fourth over the track and trip in a race that produced winners, so she need not improve a great deal to open her account.
(4) JAZZ PIANIST has also shown enough in both starts to fight out the finish.
Watch the betting on well related newcomer (8) ONCEINABLUEMOON.
Debutante (3) EMILY'S PEACE draws well in gate 4. Worth considering.
Race 4 (1,400m)
(3) GOLDEN OPERATOR was an unlucky loser on debut, but he would have come on appreciably with the benefit of that experience and it should pay to follow his progress.
Watch the betting on newcomers (8) TRIP TO PEACE, (10) SALT LAKE CITY and (2) COPPER EAGLE.
Race 5 (1,400m)
(2) JAPANESE GARDEN has the form and experience to play a leading role but it could pay to side with (4) MAMLAMBO, who caught the eye on debut over a shorter trip. The latter would have benefited from that outing and this extended trip should unlock improvement.
(6) ONE SUMMER will likely improve to make her presence felt.
Newcomer (8) STAMPEDE AHEAD is worth a market check on debut.
Race 6 (2,000m)
There are several horses with chances, although none appeals more than the thriving hat-trick seeker (3) KING'S EXPRESS, who races off a career-high mark. He won twice over 1,800m recently and also placed in both outings over this trip.
Hard-knockers (6) LA MOOHAL, who ran unplaced in a Grade 3 last time, (7) HAWKBILL and (8) PLAYER all have the means to trouble the selection.
Race 7 (2,000m)
(14) ROSY LEMON is 3.5kg better off with last-start winner (3) ALADDIN'S LAMP, so she should have a role to play. However, the maturing latter seems good value to follow up after his winning Highveld run.
(1) SALUTE THE FLAG has earning potential too.
The well related (11) DUAL PROPHECY did not go unnoticed on his reappearance and could also improve to make his presence felt.
Race 8 (1,800m)
(2) DIMAKO'S JET deserves a reward for her consistency and is good value to turn the tables on last-start conqueror (4) FREE IN SEATTLE, who is 2.5kg worse off and engaged to run at an earlier meeting.
(3) MOUNT ETNA and (5) IT'S HER WAY are closely matched on earlier form and have the means to make their presence felt.
Race 9 (1,000m)
(1) READY SET FIRE is an interesting runner on his reappearance for a new stable. He has strong form and could fight out the finish if he is ready to roll after a lengthy absence.
(2) BUMPS LAST GRIND also has the form and experience to play a leading role, especially if building on an encouraging Highveld debut second over the same distance.
(8) ICONIC WINTER also shaped with promise on debut and can improve after a subsequent layoff, but preference is for (10) SAFE TRAVEL, who will be wiser to the task after a pleasing debut third.
