Runners this weekend

Betway Ambassador Mike also has a runner at Turffontein on Saturday. Jaham, a colt by Kingman, will have his first visit to the track in Race 4 over 1450m. It’s s a small field, but the trainer is not overly confident about this one and said: “Jaham’s doing okay. He shows us just enough, but there have been no fireworks in his gallops, however. He had major problems as a younger horse and that is why he never went to the sales. He’s had a recovery process and I haven’t been able to ask much of him. We’ll see how he goes here, assess him after the race.”

Mike has what he believes to be a first-timer with some ability running at HWB Scottsville on Sunday afternoon. Named Destiny Of Fire, she’s a daughter of Master Of My Fate and Festival Of Fire, who won her own 1000m debut in 2012 and as an older filly won the G3 Joburg Spring Challenge over 1450m and finished second in the G1 Empress Club Stakes over 1600m.

Destiny Of Fire will take her place in Race 1 over 1200m and she will be out to emulate her dam’s early success. Mike said: “Destiny Of Fire is showing us some good work and I’d say she’s definitely in with a chance if she doesn’t run too green.” Destiny Of Fire has already found some early betting support – 7-1 to 5-1 on some boards, but word is out that trainer Barend Botes fancies his own newcomer, My One And Only, who is a strong ante-post favourite. A TAB Tote swinger on the pair, taken via the Betway tote portal, is probably the safest route to go if you’re having a few rand on the outcome.

Woodland Glade and Mambo Come Tesio have both been entered for Race 5, a 2400m contest which has an open look about it. Mike has expected Mambo Come Tesio to win again recently – he hasn’t managed to do so – but if he does deliver his best he could be right in the shake-up. He has good stamina and would’ve gained good experience from his run at this track last time out. Mike commented: “He has been disappointing of late, but I think he may have turned the corner at Summerveld, I’m expecting a better performance.”

Woodland Glade found her best form since relocating to Durban for the winter season in June, winning two races and placing three times. She is stoutly bred and Mike said: “She runs like a filly who will see out 2400m and she has a handy galloping weight. If you look at her most recent start, she ran on well at the end over 2000m. She’s no guaranteed to stay the extra 400m, but we’re trying. I think both runners should go into exotic bets.”

Beamonesque lines up in Race 7 over 1200m. This good-looking son of Rafeef was truly impressive when he won on his Maiden over 1200m on the inside track at Turffontein last October. He was sidelined and has had two unplaced runs on his return, the latest when finishing last of 13 in a sprint at Greyville.

Mike commented: “You can draw a line through his last run. That was ridiculous. He came out of the gates wide and ran into the fence. He is much better than that and will probably enjoy racing down the straight more than around the turn. Don’t ignore him, he warrants inclusion.”