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July 9 South Africa (Scottsville) form analysis
Race 1 (1,600m) (1) OPERA FAN made a smart debut for her new stable but has had her chances, although she had some promising Highveld form. Dean Kannemeyer has a stable of promising juveniles and the unraced (2) GIMMEANOTHERVIKING is bred in the purple. (5) OMNIA was much improved second time when trying a little further on the Poly. She should come on from that effort. (4) GATHERING WINTERcompletes the shortlist. Race 2 (1,600m) Paul Lafferty's runner (10) BRUH has come on with each outing and looks primed for this. (2) FRENCH WAR LORD has shown up well in two sprints and the step up in trip from a plum draw can see him home. (4) MASTER SPY was a well-beaten fourth over the trip last time, but he can improve on that effort. (1) PIED PIPER showed up well on debut and steps up to a more suitable trip. Race 3 (1,200m) (10) XENOPHON looks primed to fire after two smart efforts. Narrowly beaten last run and he should go close again. (4) NEXT OF KIN showed up well on debut over course and distance, and one can expect good improvement from him. (8) CARDINAL CHIEF ran on strongly on debut and the extra furlong should suit. (9) RAGING MOON has not been far back in two outings and has a money chance. Race 4 (1,200m) (9) CELESTIAL DIAMOND was a beaten even-money favourite last start. She has shown up well in both starts and should run another good race. (16) LUCIENNE has put in three good efforts and should be involved in the finish again. (5) TRAIL RUNNER was a beaten favourite at her last two on the Highveld. She was not far behind and should feature. (1) CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT made a smart debut at long odds and is one to watch in the betting. Race 5 (1,600m) (5) WORLD OF ROYALTY steps up to a mile but has two good sprints in the bag. Beaten favourite last run but this trip should suit. (1) EL CAPITAN has the best draw and has not been out of the money in four starts since his return from the Cape. (8) LIMELIGHT LEGEND has been runner-up in his last three and stays the trip well, so he has a strong chance. (9) QUEEN OF THE AIR showed up well in her first run back from a lengthy break and is one to watch. Race 6 (1,750m) (5) PRINCESS PALACE is seldom far behind and steps up in trip. She has a handy weight and rates a strong winning chance. (3) HODGEPODGE shoulders top weight but has consistent form and should be in the firing line again. (10) ELEMBEE should not be far off. (9) ANOTHER DREAM is a recent maiden winner but won well from a wide draw and can be involved in the finish. Race 7 (1,750m) (4) DANCING ON A CLOUD has been a touch disappointing since running out an easy maiden winner on this course. He does seem better than his last two and gets another chance. (6) LOCK AND KEY has been a beaten favourite at her last two but has been runner-up and can go one better in this line-up. (2) ROYAL INVITATION has improved at her last two and comes from a Cape stable that does not have many runners up for the season. (5) TIRPITZ steps up in trip. One to watch in the betting. Race 8 (1,000m) (4) MAJOR TOMMIE is lightly raced and was not far behind in his handicap debut. He has a big weight but should be right up there. (12) B FIFTYTWO was close-up at long odds last start. He should be competitive. (11) RHYTHM is holding form and goes well on this trip. Not out of it. The form behind (10) RAFA'S BOY could be the key. He jumped seven points in the handicap for his last win but now gets a 4kg claimer aboard.
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14-05-2025
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May 15 South Africa (Vaal) form analysis
Race 1 (1,000m) (2) ACT ON SNOW has the form and experience to play a leading role while youngster (7) BLINDFIRE is improving and is also likely to be competitive. (3) EMPRESS WU should also be prominent. Watch well-bred newcomer (8) HURRICANE POWER. Race 2 (1,600m) (3) CHRONICLE KING and (4) FIRE STARTER showed promise on debut and would have come on with that experience. Both could well fight out the finish. (5) GOLDEN WARRIOR and (6) SERGEANT SOQRAT have also shown enough to run a place. Race 3 (1,600m) (5) MATCHA MINT and (9) WITCHING HOUR have shown promise over shorter distances and are likely to improve over this extended trip. (6) OPERA FAN and (8) REJUVENATE fit a similar profile but have more of a place chance than a winning one. Race 4 (1,000m) (8) EIGHT HATS and (7) SUNSET WARRIOR have twice run well over this trip and neither would have to improve a great deal to open their account. Keep an eye on any betting support for newcomer (6) CAPTAIN FRANK. (4) SUMMER WINTER is worth a shot. The unexposed (1) JET QUERARI and the experienced (2) RINGHO are not to be underestimated. Race 5 (1,600m) (9) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL caught the eye on debut when running on well from a long way back. With that run under the belt, it should pay to follow his progress over this extended trip. (4) CHIEFTAIN'S SHIELD, (2) BRIGHAM and (1) PHIL THE FLUTER have the means to trouble the selection, ahead of (6) MISS TAKES and (5) FOLLOW THE MASTER. Race 6 (2,000m) (4) GAMER is consistent and will be rewarded sooner rather than later. Last-start winner (10) BOB LEE SWAGGER and class-dropper (3) SNEAK PREVIEW are genuine candidates for honours. (9) THE MERCIFUL is to be included in calculations while recent maiden winners (1) BLURRED VISION, (6) STOP THE TRAFFIC and (8) CITY LIGHTS remain competitive on their handicap debut. Race 7 (2,000m) Well-bred (1) WAGRAM is open to any amount of improvement over this trip and it could pay to follow her progress. Hard-knockers (2) IDEAL FUTURE and (4) ROSY LEMON have the form and experience to trouble the selection, as does (12) SILVER FLARE. Race 8 (2,000m) (1) AVOONTOAST sets a good standard and ought to remain competitive despite a penalty for an emphatic last-start success. Fellow recent scorer (2) DIMAKO'S JET is progressive and could have the edge over a distance that she is unbeaten. (7) I AM REGAL and (4) KEY WORKER are not taken lightly. Race 9 (1,500m) This is a tricky handicap, but it could pay to side with class-dropper (4) KOTINOS who races off a reduced mark. (6) SAIL THE SKY and (8) PERINI PALACE will be competitive if taking their place in the line-up. (12) STROKE OF MERCY appeals most of the remainder. Race 10 (1,000m) A tricky last race in which last-start scorers (1) ARILENA, (3) IN THE ETHER, (7) SYLVAN WARRIOR and (9) INAFIX should remain competitive off their revised ratings. (8) GAELIC DANCER and (5) LONELY AS A CLOUD also have legitimate each-way chances.
