Runner preview, Turffontein Satuturday 13 Jan

There is a local double-header with a bumper 12-race programme on the standside track at Turffontein and a nine-race card at HWB Kenilworth on Saturday. The Turffontein meeting includes three feature races postponed from last weekend’s rain-affected meeting. There are two Bi-Pots and three Jackpots on offer for exotic players, all with healthy return potential. Access the tote via the Betway portal, and get your 6% betting tax paid back!

Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock is set for a busy day at Turffontein with no fewer than 16 runners representing the stable.

Here are Mike’s runner previews:

Race 2, 1160m: “Japanese Star has been disappointing. He drops back to 1160m and we’re putting blinkers on him, but he will be leaving us to go to Gqeberha soon.”

Race 3, 1160m: “We’ve raced Outer Dimension over 1400m and further but her form is average. We’re going to try her down the straight with blinkers back on, hoping for a fair run but she is limited. Fire Away comes off a rest, she needs the run. Love Song tries blinkers here, she has not lived up to expectations and will soon be on her way to Gqberha.”

Race 4, 1600m: “Kadizora was far off on her debut and she can improve on that, She needs another run, and will be better over a lot further, so is best watched here.”

Race 5, 1600m: “Green Garnet has been gelded, he was a rig, and he’s come back well from it. He is not 100 percent wound up but he is in good shape and has a definite chance in the field.”

Racer 6, 1600m: “Shoemaker has long been plagued by wide draws and uncannily drew widest again this week. He is very well and should give a good account of himself, but his draw could be problematic if there is no pace on.”

Race 7, 1400m: “We have three nice fillies in this feature, all in with money chances. I prefer this trip for White Pearl. She is in very good form, nicely drawn this time and is a big runner. Mary’s Greenlight is a course and distance winner. She takes a step up in class but she is improving nicely. I wouldn’t leave her out of calculations. As noted last week, Woman Of Power tries the distance for the first time. On her pedigree she should have no problem with the extra 200m, but she is drawn wide and that is a worry. She is above average, however, and worthy of inclusion.”

Race 8, 1400m: “Gimmeanotherchance also had a rig operation and this is his comeback run. It’s a prep for the Gauteng Guineas but he has impressed us after his gelding and is doing really well, don’t leave him out. Champagne Cocktail was going to be drawn 11-11 in the fillies feature, so we switched her to this race against the colts where she has an inside draw. This is a much harder race to win, but it was important to me that she gets a run as a part of her prep for the Triple Tiara. It’s a Plan B, really, but the better draw means she won’t be under much pressure to hold her position. We’re thinking long-term and this will be a come-on run. The 1400m is a touch sharp for her.”

Race 9, 1400m: “Bold Act and Good Queen Bess are in a race with some decent fillies, but they can’t be ignored at the weights, both are fit and in good nick.”

Race 10, 2000m: “Spring In Heaven is in a good place at the moment, an improving sort. I have a slight doubt about the distance, but if she sees out 2000m she is a big runner.”

Race 11: “Holocene has been battling a bit after his Maiden win. He’ll be best off a lower rating and may have a length or two to find, to be competitive.”