Some rare selections from outside Europe today but I feel I found two really good value chances at the Turffontein's big meeting today...
14.50 Turffontein: Silent Partner @ 40/1 Bet365 - 0.5pts e/w
Fantastic Grade 1 action from South Africa today as this years Summer Cup looks a cracking renewal. 20 runners, and many within a chance, probably primed for this race like the popular Smanjemanje and "the peoples horse" Pierre Jourdan. Mujaarib is the clear favourite though and this lightly raced 4yo colt is very exciting indeed. Unbeaten in four starts, winning a Grade 2 here at Turffontein four weeks back, but he has to transfer this brilliant form now to a new distance as he's stepping up in trip to 2.000m for the first time. He should be capable of that and off a lowly weight he might be hard to beat but personally I can't see value in his very short price in such a big and competitive field so I stick with another De Kock runner: Silent Partner. This 5yo Silvano son looks massively overpriced and should be absolutely primed for this race, having the advantage to race of a featherweight of just 52 kilos! Mick De Kock said he is expecting a big run and that statement from the master himself should be taken very seriously as Silent Partner has a profile that makes him a big runner indeed here. He didn't have that many runs in the last number of month and was rather kept fresh. This will be his third run after a four month break today and he has some interesting form to share with favourite Mujaarib, as his reappearance after that lay-off came in the Grade 2 Emperors Palace Charity Mile, the race which Mujaarib won in such impressive style when finishing like a train to take it by a short head. Silent Partner finished fifth in this race, but only 3,5 lengths beaten in the end, staying on well after having a troubled run in the final 500m over a distance which is probably too sharp for him actually. He didn't perform that well two weeks later in another Grade 2 but that form is to ignore. This two prep runs should have get him into super shape though and he'll be fit and well and despite being maybe a bit short of class in terms of what is required in a Grade 1, there is a big race in him and of the bottom weight he can go very close I feel.
14.10 Turffontein: Wild One e/w @ 20/1 Bet365 - 1pt e/w
The Grade 2 Dingaans Mile is another exciting race with a very short priced favourite who is opposable in my mind as he looks exposed compared to some lightly raced horses in the field. Nonetheless he sets a high standard and we will see if any of the opposition is able to reach this standard but at 11/10 I take Hangman on anyway. My selections Wilde One is very lightly raced, had only two start to date, winning well his maiden on debut and finishing a very eye-catching third in a strong Listed race just two weeks ago. He was slowly into stride there, very green through the whole race and also slightly outpaced at some stage. He didn't get a hard ride though by his jockey and was 300m out plum last but stayed on in very impressive fashion from an impossible position to land the third spot, without being hard ridden. He had no chance with the winner who is super horse and therefore this form is worth allot but with natural improvement and more experience Wilde One could turn into a really nice horse as well. He should have a decent chance to be in the frame here today I feel anyway and connections won't make the trip with the horse over from Durban to Turffontein just for the fun of the game.
No comments :
Post a Comment