16-07-2025
July 17 South Africa (Turffontein) form guide
Race 1 (1,200m)
With Gavin Lerena sticking with last-start winner (3) PRETTY PERSUASIVE instead of (1) ALPINE JET, the riding arrangements suggest the former is preferred.
(2) LET'S GO LOLA and (4) SPIRITRIX are closely matched on form, and both have shown enough to acquit themselves competitively in this line-up.
Race 2 (1,200m)
(3) TOP DIVISION justified strong market support when winning on debut and with natural improvement, he may well remain unbeaten.
(1) GOT THE FEELING has the form and experience to threaten the selection.
(4) ALPHA WORLD and (7) SECOND TO NUNN are likely to improve after pleasing introductions.
Race 3 (1,450m)
(4) FRERE JACQUES performed above market expectations on debut when a fast-finishing second over 1,200m. He has not been sighted around the track for a while but would have strengthened and improved during his subsequent absence, so a forward showing is expected.
Youngster (8) SAFE TRAVEL is bred to appreciate this extended trip and will not need to improve much after back-to-back thirds over 1,000m to play a leading role.
(1) SEVENTH FLEET has shown enough to make his presence felt too.
Watch the betting on newcomer (6) LUWAK.
Race 4 (1,450m)
(1) WINDS OF GRACE was second over track and trip last time and needs to only produce a similar performance to fight for victory.
Youngster (12) WISE COUNSEL fits a similar profile but should improve for the step-up to this distance.
Improving (2) RENDEVOUS IN RIO also filled the runner-up berth recently but has to overcome a wide draw.
(11) WINTER WEDDING did not go unnoticed on debut over 1,160m and could also be competitive over this extended trip with that experience to count on.
Race 5 (1,800m)
This will not take much winning and (10) HOPSCOTCH, despite a wide draw in 10, is good value to open her account over a distance more to her liking.
Sparingly raced (2) MATTIAZO is open to improvement but is held by the selection on recent form.
(3) BELLA BOOP BOOP and (1) FLIGHTLIGHT appeal most of the remainder.
Race 6 (1,800m)
(3) HEROIC ACT, (5) ROYAL MIRACLE and (1) MIZZEN SWORD are experienced maidens with fair recent form and they should be competitive, though they are vulnerable to less-exposed rival (10) SERGEANT SOQRAT who could improve stretching out to this distance.
Race 7 (1,000m)
(2) CAPTAIN EFFICIENT is overdue for a second career victory.
Improving last-start winner (1) MISTY METAL carries a big weight on her handicap debut but has more scope than her rivals.
Class-droppers (4) LONELY AS A CLOUD and (3) PRINCESS LOLA are respected off reduced marks.
Race 8 (1,600m)
(7) KISSHOTEN has thrived since relocating to the Highveld and could represent the value in this race over this trip after an eye-catching last start over shorter.
Fellow last-start winner (6) IT'S HER WAY is up in class and carries a six-point penalty, so she will be tested off her career-high mark.
(2) MISS HANNIGAN beat (1) FRANCINE and (3) QUEEN OF LOVE recently over 1,400m but are better off at the weights and there should not be much between the trio on these revised terms over the extra 200m.
Race 9 (1,600m)
(1) AZALEAS FOR ALL showed her form and well-being when winning for the second time in her last three starts on the Polytrack in KZN over 2,000m last month. A resultant three-point penalty seems rather lenient and, even under top-weight 60kg, she is good value to continue her hot streak.
Fellow last-start winner (4) ANNEWITHAN E fits a similar profile and should remain competitive off a career-high mark.
(2) STREISAND and (6) PRETTY ANALIA (unbeaten over the course and distance) are consistent hard-knockers with the form and experience to make their presence felt.
