Durbanville racing tips, form and preview for Saturday
Our Hollywoodbets Durbanville tips, form and preview for Saturday’s nine-race card focus on the seasonal return of champion Eight On Eighteen, while exciting youngster Continue The Dream looks one of the better bets on the programme.
Former Horse of the Year Eight On Eighteen makes his eagerly anticipated return in Race 5, an A Stakes contest over 1400m. Justin Snaith’s champion has not raced since defeating See It Again in the Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup at Greyville in July and holds a commanding advantage on official ratings. However, the distance is shorter than ideal and he has yet to win first-up from a break, so this could prove more of a preparation for his summer campaign than a straightforward victory. Gallic Dream receives 7.5kg from the champion and could make things interesting, while progressive Hah Lah Lah is another worth respecting.
MORE: South African horse racing
Continue The Dream appeals as a banker in Race 6 after producing an outstanding debut victory over this course earlier in October. The beautifully bred Dean Kannemeyer colt showed an impressive turn of foot despite racing greenly and should have plenty more improvement to come. Le Soleil, Loving Prague and It’sGood It’sNice provide the opposition, but Continue The Dream looks capable of taking the next step. Hey Jack Your Late is another promising youngster with strong claims in Race 4 after finishing powerfully on debut behind Big City Roller. He should benefit from that experience and looks the one to beat ahead of Bullet Tooth Tony.
The closing races present some tougher decisions. Lark’s Song should be fitter following her recent comeback and looks well suited to the step up to 1600m in Race 7, while the eighth is particularly competitive. Magma Flow can improve sharply dropping back to 1000m, although veteran All About Al has each-way claims and Ulez Camera should be competitive with Richard Fourie aboard. Turn To The Law gets the nod in the finale after an impressive debut victory, but Axis Power and Ruby Rex are capable of making their presence felt.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all nine races at Durbanville on Saturday.
Race 1
Hollywoodbets Durbanville Welcomes You Mdn Plate
GIMMETHEJACKHAMMER (6) looks progressive and stayed on strongly for second behind TIME OF OUR LIVES on 23 September. He has shown enough to suggest a maiden victory is close and should prove difficult to beat if reproducing his latest effort. FAIR FATE (7) ran an encouraging race behind AFRICAN WILD DOG last time and should be doing his best work in the closing stages. He rates a serious danger and belongs in all calculations. MERCURY (1) improved considerably between his first two starts and has the advantage of a favourable draw. Further improvement would bring him firmly into contention. PREMIER WINTER (2) gets cheekpieces fitted for the first time and should be competitive from another handy draw.
Our tip: 6-7-1-2
Race 2
Rcs Two Year Old Sale 24 October Mdn Plate (F & M)
SAUTERELLE (1) made a promising debut when finishing just over two lengths behind CAPTAIN’S ELECT and is well-priced with South African betting sites. The well-bred filly showed an attractive action and should have benefited considerably from that first experience. With a favourable draw and natural improvement expected, she looks the one to beat. CAPTAIN’S LASS (4) was bumped leaving the gates when finishing fourth behind NADIA NERINA on 4 October. She was returning from a break and should be fitter now, making her a genuine threat from a reasonable draw. VENUS (5) and ARCTIC FLOW (6) look the best of the remainder, although both will need to show significant improvement to trouble the leading pair. SAUTERELLE looks a strong winning prospect.
Our tip: 1-4-5-6
Race 3
Centenary Club Syndicate Mdn Plate (F & M)
GETORIX PRINCESS (5) caught the eye on debut when finishing powerfully for third behind FIRST BLOOM. She should have learned plenty from that experience and looks capable of making the necessary improvement to open her account. A favourable draw strengthens her claims. CYDONIA (10) also shaped well on debut when finishing behind GEORGIE GIRL and should be competitive with natural improvement. Her wide draw is the main concern, but she has the ability to overcome it. CAPE TOWN DEERN (4) has produced two respectable performances and should appreciate stepping up to 1250m. She could offer some value at bigger odds. SENORITA LOLITA (9) has shown enough on her better form to suggest she can sneak into the places.
Our tip: 5-10-4-9
Race 4
Lucky Fish Chilli Heat Mdn Plate
HEY JACK YOUR LATE (9) produced an excellent debut when finishing strongly for second behind BIG CITY ROLLER. The form has received a boost, with that winner subsequently running highly rated VIVA ASTERIX close, and Adam Marcus’s colt looks open to considerable improvement. He was particularly impressive in the closing stages and should prove difficult to hold off if getting a clear passage from his wide draw. BULLET TOOTH TONY (7) was narrowly beaten by SOSSUSVLEI on 26 September and brings solid recent form into the contest. He could prove difficult to catch if allowed to dictate the pace. VELORIAN KING (10) improved nicely at his second start and should be running on strongly despite a wide draw. SKYTURA (8) was beaten just under six lengths by BIG CITY ROLLER on debut and could get into the places with further improvement. The betting market should also be watched for any well-supported newcomers.
Our tip: 9-7-10-8
Race 5
Race Coast Incentives Powered By Hollywoodbets A Stakes
EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (3) makes his seasonal return after an 83-day absence, having last been seen defeating SEE IT AGAIN in the Grade 1 HKJC Champions Cup at Hollywoodbets Greyville on 26 July. The former Horse of the Year is comfortably the highest-rated runner in this field and his class could prove decisive, even though 1400m is shorter than his optimum distance. He has yet to win first-up from a break, but remains the horse to beat. GALLIC DREAM (4) returns from a 118-day break after finishing second behind CHASINGTHERAINBOW. He receives a substantial weight allowance from the favourite and could be dangerous if returning in peak condition. RANDOLPH HEARST (5) has been absent for 189 days but is highly regarded by his connections and deserves respect. HAH LAH LAH (6) was impressive when winning at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 22 July and has won four of his five starts. This represents a significant rise in class, but the progressive Dean Kannemeyer gelding could make his presence felt.
Our tip: 3-4-5-6
Race 6
Lucky Fish Monopoly Live C Stakes
CONTINUE THE DREAM (6) created a tremendous impression when winning on debut at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on 4 October. He attracted strong betting support and justified that confidence with an outstanding turn of foot, producing a particularly quick closing sectional despite racing greenly early on. The beautifully bred Gimmethegreenlight colt is a sibling to champions GIMME A PRINCE and THE REAL PRINCE and looks a horse with considerable potential. He should take plenty of beating with Craig Zackey aboard. LE SOLEIL (9) won his maiden convincingly on 6 September and should appreciate stepping up to 1400m. His wide draw is a concern, but he should be finishing strongly. LOVING PRAGUE (7) has produced two excellent recent performances and is well suited to this course and distance. IT’SGOOD IT’SNICE (5) fought hard to defeat AFRICAN WILD DOG on 5 August and has ability, although he returns from a break following gelding. CONTINUE THE DREAM appeals as one of the strongest selections on the card.
Our tip: 6-9-7-5
Race 7
More Than Just Racing Class 4 (F & M)
LARK’S SONG (7) should strip considerably fitter after finishing third behind STAR WORLD on 6 September in her first run back from a break. The step up to 1600m looks ideal and she has the form to make a strong winning challenge. VERSE FOR SUZANNE (4) opened her account in good style on 6 September and appears to have plenty of ability. She steps up in distance and carries a light weight, giving her every chance of remaining competitive against stronger opposition. WHO IS SHE (3) stayed on nicely for third behind BOOZY SUSIE on 23 September, her first outing after a three-month absence. She should improve with that run behind her and has the advantage of a favourable draw. MISS ATTITUDE (6) finished second in the same race and is an honest performer who seldom gives less than her best. She belongs in all exotic calculations.
Our tip: 7-4-3-6
Race 8
Bet With Tote Www.tote.co.za Class 4
MAGMA FLOW (3) was well beaten in the Grade 3 Matchem Stakes on 26 September, but that performance can be forgiven against stronger opposition. The drop back to 1000m should suit and he looks capable of bouncing back from a favourable draw. ALL ABOUT AL (5) had little luck in running on 16 September and is better than that result suggests. The veteran has an excellent record over this course and distance and has been producing consistently strong speed figures. With a claiming apprentice helping to offset his weight, he could offer attractive each-way value. ULEZ CAMERA (2) was narrowly beaten by SHIFTING PATH last time and has the benefit of Richard Fourie in the saddle. He is highly regarded by his stable and should be competitive from a good draw. PEACE OF MIND (8) quickened impressively to win on 26 September and received a four-point handicap increase. She faces a tougher assignment from a wide draw, but has the early speed to prove difficult to catch if getting to the front.
Our tip: 3-5-2-8
Race 9
Hollywoodbets Bright Future D Stakes
TURN TO THE LAW (10) returns from a 111-day break after winning impressively on debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on 28 June. The form of that race has worked out well and she looks capable of progressing further. Her fitness after the absence is the main question, but she should have a strong winning chance if sufficiently forward. AXIS POWER (1) was not seen to best advantage on 4 October and could improve significantly with blinkers fitted and Andrew Fortune taking the ride. He has an excellent draw and should be given every opportunity to make amends. RUBY REX (4) finished second behind her stable companion on 16 September and continues to race consistently. She seldom produces a poor performance and deserves serious consideration at this level. HERITAGE RIDGE (6) finished second behind PEACE OF MIND on 26 September and would be competitive if reproducing that effort. An open finale in which TURN TO THE LAW gets a narrow preference.
Our tip: 10-1-4-6
