Turffontein runner comments

There are three TAB Jackpot ONE carryovers to SA race meetings this end-of-year weekend from Saturday 30 December to Sunday 31 December. With R250,000 to kick-start each Jackpot, pools of at least R1 million are expected for all of them. 

On paper, Jackpot ONE at Turffontein’s Standside track on Saturday looks the easiest of the three Jackpots to win. There is a potentially solid banker in Johan Janse van Vuuren’s up-and-coming three-year-old Red Bomber, an eye-catching second in a quality field last time. He’ll be having his peak run (his third after being gelded) and has the benefits of a good draw and a top jockey in Race 8 over 1400m.

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock has two runners in the third leg, the Listed War Of Athena Handicap over 1800m (Race 7). This is potentially the hardest Jackpot leg. Mike has returned from his family holiday and said: “Bonete ran an excellent race leading for most of the way in the Syringa Handicap last month and was only tagged late by Silver Sanctuary who went on to a narrow defeat in the G1 Cape Fillies Guineas. Bonete is in a similar vein of form and doing well. The form has worked out, she’s a money contender here. Littlemarysunshine is a nice filly, well exposed at handicap ratings but shouldn’t be left out of anything.”

Mike has five other runners at the meeting, starting with Forgiveness and newcomer Kadizora in Race 3 over 1600m. He said: “Forgiveness kicked on well over 1800m last time, she ran up to the winner and couldn’t go through with it, so this 1600m should suit her well, she should give a good account again. Kadizora is a typical staying type filly. I trained her dam Gorongosa, she is a similar specimen, very angular and doesn’t show too much in work. But she does show enough to keep us happy, she gets going late. I’d throw her into the Quartet.”

Japanese Star (Race 4, 1600m), has not made the places in three starts, but he does appear better than his form suggests. Mike commented: “We’ve gelded him, he is doing well but I think he’ll just need this first run back after gelding. Al Moohal is exposed now, what you see is what you get. He was a distant second last time, but also clear of the third horse so he’s not out of it in this open race. He is fine over this course and distance.”

Mary’s Greenlight takes her place in Race 5 over 1600m and has bottom weight of 52kg and Muzi Yeni up. Said Mike: “She was a touch disappointing last time, but in saying that she did win two weak races before that, one of them with a 4kg claimer om board. We’ll see how she goes here, she could have a lot to do.”

Jackpot ONE at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on Saturday is arguably the trickiest of the weekend’s carryover Jackpots and you’ll need a good spread of runners in all four legs. The same goes for Sunday’s meeting (now moved to Greyville due to rain). Remember to take part, the Jackpots should pay well this weekend!