Durbanville racing tips for Saturday, September 26
Our Durbanville tips, form and preview focus on a quality nine-race card on Saturday, where multiple Grade 1 winner Double Grand Slam has a huge class edge in the Diana Stakes and Jet Force looks the one to beat in the Matchem Stakes.
Double Grand Slam is an 11-time winner and stands out in Race 6, the Diana Stakes. The accomplished daughter of Vercingetorix has an OMR of 125, is at least ten points clear of her rivals on official ratings and has proven form over the Durbanville 1400m. She handles different ground conditions and has won fresh before, so the 84-day break since her KZN campaign should not be an issue. Justin Snaith and Keagan de Melo combine with the multiple Grade 1 winner and, if she returns anywhere near her best, she should take plenty of beating. Keukenhof and Stormwatch look the main dangers, while Beware The Bomb could get into the placings from a good draw.
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Jet Force is the pick in Race 7, the Matchem Stakes Gr 3. Des McLachlan’s stable star beat Buffalo Storm Cody in the Post Merchants Gr 3 before narrowly going down to the same rival in the Mercury Sprint Gr 1, and that level of form makes him the horse to beat back over 1400m. Grant van Niekerk takes the ride on a gelding who enjoys this course and should appreciate a truly run seven furlongs. LEGAL COUNSEL could prove dangerous from the front, while the late-running Chasingtherainbow and 12-time winner Sugar Mountain add further depth to an excellent contest.
Justin Snaith could also have a strong hand in Race 5, the Settlers Trophy Listed, with Miami Summer and Prairie Dawn. Miami Summer has been specifically aimed at the race and looks capable of improving again over his optimum trip, while Prairie Dawn returns from a break after finishing third in the Pocket Power Stakes Listed. Legal Dancer appeals as one of the better bets on the undercard in Race 2 after an excellent second behind Wreath Of Snow, with the form subsequently boosted by third-placed Time Of Our Lives winning impressively at Hollywoodbets Durbanville.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all nine races at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on Saturday.
Race 1
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Mdn Plate
LANDMAN (12) stayed on well for second behind HAVOC on August 22 and now has blinkers fitted. He has a difficult draw to overcome, but with some luck in running he can go close to winning. BULLET TOOTH TONY (1) improved nicely from his first start to his second and should appreciate the step up to 1400m. From an excellent draw, he looks capable of running a big race. PREMIER WINTER (5) attempted to make all when second behind LE SOLEIL on September 6 and a repeat of that effort would make him highly competitive. SUKHOI (9) drifted in the betting on debut but produced an encouraging performance behind ULEZ CAMERA on August 12. With natural improvement, he should be involved in the finish.
Our tip: 12-1-5-9
Race 2
Lucky Fish Diamond Rise Mdn Plate
LEGAL DANCER (9) quickened smartly late to finish two lengths behind WREATH OF SNOW on September 2 and looks progressive. The speed figure and finishing fraction from that performance were better than standard for this grade, while the form has subsequently been boosted. He has a poor draw to overcome but should be hard to beat if the race works out for him. BART NEL (13) had little luck in running when finishing two lengths behind SWAZILAND last time and should appreciate the step up to 1400m, although his wide gate makes life difficult. OCTOBER RUSH (6) returns from a 90-day break after finishing just under ten lengths behind BENNY AND PAUL on debut. He is well bred and open to considerable improvement. ROYAL CLINTON (5) is admirably consistent and must be respected from a decent draw.
Our tip: 9-13-6-5
Race 3
Jazz Syndicate Mdn Plate (F & M)
FIRST BLOOM (8) finished strongly for second behind SABRE WING on debut and should relish the step up to 1400m. With natural improvement expected from this well-bred filly, she can go close to winning. PEACE MOON (3) finished just under six lengths behind THELEIA up the Hollywoodbets Scottsville straight on August 30 and is open to plenty of improvement. She is worth watching closely from a good draw. WHAT THE FLUFF (4) is honest, consistent and seldom runs a bad race, so her chances must be respected in a tricky contest. ROCK THE ROAD (6) has the services of Keagan de Melo after a promising effort behind OVER MY SHOULDER and should appreciate the extra distance. GETORIX PRINCESS (5) is an unknown quantity and any significant market support should be noted.
Our tip: 8-3-4-6
Race 4
Kikkuli Standing At Paardeberg Stud B Stakes
ONE LINER (5) was a touch unlucky behind BLACK CHEETAH on September 6 and should be cherry ripe for this assignment. He appeals at a potentially decent price and should be included in all bets. ABSOLUTELY YES (3) finished second in the same race and, from a good draw, has a major winning chance on his best form. IRELAND FOREVER (4) quickened smartly to win going away on August 22 and received a three-point increase for that impressive victory. He should be doing his best work late. OLIVER (9) is in excellent form and will be competitive again if the race unfolds favourably and the gaps appear at the right time.
Our tip: 5-3-4-9
Race 5
Settlers Trophy (Listed Hcp) (4-Year-Olds And Older)
MIAMI SUMMER (2) won impressively on August 22 and received a five-point increase for that success. The Justin Snaith yard thinks highly of this gelding and he has been specifically targeted at this race, with the 2000m expected to bring out the best in him. PRAIRIE DAWN (5) returns from a 125-day break after staying on well for third behind FUTURE FREE in the Pocket Power Stakes Listed. He is progressive and should be right in the finish if sufficiently forward. SOHO HEARTTHROB (4) resumes after 74 days and won a gutsy race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on July 14. The step up to 2000m should not be a problem and he can win again. BILLY BOWLEGS (8) could provide some value after finishing less than two lengths behind MIAMI SUMMER last time and should now be cherry ripe.
Our tip: 2-5-4-8
Race 6
Diana Stakes (Grade 3) (Fillies And Mares)
DOUBLE GRAND SLAM (5) returns from an 84-day break and has a huge class edge over these rivals. The 11-time winner has an OMR of 125, is the clear best-weighted runner and has proven course-and-distance form. She has also won fresh before and, if anywhere near her best, should be extremely difficult to beat. KEUKENHOF (4) also returns after 84 days and produced an excellent fourth in the Ridgemont Garden Province Stakes Gr 1 on July 4. She has a good draw and rates the biggest danger. STORMWATCH (6) has been rested for 146 days after winning the Ladies Mile Listed impressively on May 3 and is capable of being competitive on her best form. BEWARE THE BOMB (1) resumes after 97 days, loves this track and could sneak into the Quartet from an ideal draw.
Our tip: 5-4-6-1
Race 7
Matchem Stakes (Grade 3)
JET FORCE (7) returns after 62 days following a gutsy second in the Mercury Sprint Gr 1 on July 26. He had previously beaten top sprinter BUFFALO STORM CODY in the Post Merchants Gr 3 and that form sets a high standard here. He should settle just off the speed and can use his turn of foot to finish over the top of them. LEGAL COUNSEL (5) has also been rested for 62 days after finishing just over three lengths behind EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN in the HKJC Champions Cup Gr 1. He can be particularly dangerous when allowed to roll in front and must be respected. CHASINGTHERAINBOW (9) resumes after 97 days following an impressive Hollywoodbets Kenilworth victory and should be charging home late. SUGAR MOUNTAIN (8) is a 12-time winner with an excellent record over 1400m and could get into the placings on his best form.
Our tip: 7-5-9-8
Race 8
Lucky Fish Crazy Time Class 4 (F & M)
STAR WORLD (6) quickened beautifully to win on September 6 and received a three-point increase for that success. She loves Hollywoodbets Durbanville and looks capable of going close again. OVER MY SHOULDER (10) won impressively on August 5 and the form from that race has worked out well. The wide draw is the obvious obstacle, but she looks smart and is capable of winning again. SING FOREVERMORE (9) produced a good second behind OCTOBER FEST on August 12 and should be running on strongly late with very little weight on her back. WYZE DECLARATION (7) returns from a 63-day break after finishing only a length behind CLIFFSCAPE and has a solid place chance if she does not need the run.
Our tip: 6-10-9-7
Race 9
Hollywoodbets Bright Future D Stakes
PEACE OF MIND (5) stayed on nicely for second behind EASY MONEY on August 15 and possesses plenty of speed. She has a big weight to carry, but could prove difficult to catch if allowed to use that speed effectively. BARNEY MCGREW (4) quickened well to score on September 2 and received only a two-point increase for the victory. His form is excellent and he has another big winning chance from a good draw. AXIS POWER (8) finished second behind BARNEY MCGREW last time in his first Western Cape appearance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. He has a tricky draw but should again be competitive with some luck in running. WORLD OF SECRETS (1) returns after 81 days following a good maiden victory on July 7 and will be given every chance from the inside gate.
Our tip: 5-4-8-1
