Saturday's racing comes from the Stand-side track at Turffontein, it's Classic Day and Handlanger's each way pick comes in Race 8, the Grade 3 Acacia Stakes
It's a punting marathon at Turffontein on Saturday with an 11 race card which includes the SA Fillies Classic and SA Classic, both Grade 1 contests but we focus on Race 8.
Turffontein (Standside), Race 8, Due Off 16:15
ACACIA STAKES (Grade 3), (F&M) 1600m
1st: R125,000 2nd: R40,000 3rd: R20,000 4th: R10,000 5th: R5,000
A field of 13 contests Race 8, a competitive looking Grade 3 contest for the girls. The bookmakers have been going 7/2 the field and on Friday lunchtime No 3 Sentbydestiny and No 5 Admire Me were jostling for favouritism. You can make a case for many in the field but Handlanger's preference is for No 1 Mount Laurel.
Wendy Whitehead brings Mount Laurel up from KZN with 4 wins from 19 starts to her name. The 5yo mare regularly contests feature races in her home province, generally putting in consistent performances with today's trip of 1600m seemingly the distance she is most suited to.
Donovan Dillon takes the ride and he is tasked with finding a decent position from an awkward looking draw of 8. Last time out she was 0.7 lengths second to Time to Roll in a MR102 handicap at Scottsville, giving the winner 6.5 kg. That was her first run since another second placing back on Boxing Day at Greyville where she went down by just under a length to Zimbaba and she was the subject of market support in both those runs.
Luck in running will be needed but I'm going to wager that Mount Laurel will run a big race and should give us an each way run for our money at attractive odds (10/1 at the time of writing).
Whatever your fancy if want to play with the bookmakers money, Betway offer a R25 free bet for new online clients so click on the link or banner below.
Turffontein Saturday 5th March
Handlangers pick: Race 8, No 1 Mount Laurel (each way)
*Handlanger is a recreational horse racing punter who's interest in the sport was rekindled in recent times. As the name suggests he is hoping to assist but you are more than welcome to share your own views on the weekly horse racing thread on our discussion forum.
