Winning Form selections for racing from Turffontein on Thursday 1st January where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
NO DRAMA ran a good race on debut over 800m on this course. She was slow into stride, understandably raced green but stayed on to finish third. She would have gained from the experience and should love the extra 200m on offer. With the natural improvement that is expected, she may be the one to beat.
CUSTODIAN found one too good in the form of Heath House on debut. She would have come on from the experience and with the expected natural progression, she should pose a threat.
CALADRIUS was in need of her debut effort over 800m on this course. It must be noted that Heath House has come out and won again since. She has changed stables since that outing and can show good improvement.
Race 2
GALAXY QUEEN finished 0.35 lengths behind SIKELOI last time. She is 4kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. She is a progressive type and can shed her maiden tag. She is carded to race on 23 December 2025 and her progress in that race will need to be monitored.
SIKELOI has shown good improvement with each outing to date. She cost herself winning last time as she hung outwards in the final 300m. She jumps from a good draw of two and is one of the leading contenders.
ANAHITA is better than her last start over 1800m on the Vaal Classic course. She showed promise in her first two career efforts. From pole position, she would not be a shock winner.
Race 3
JAFFA has produced two good runs to date. He was slow into stride over 1450m last time, but finished off his race well. He will love the rise to 1600m and with a bit of luck from the widest draw, he can shed his maiden tag.
SPACE MISSION finished 1.6 lengths behind the top choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and he may have to settle for the same result.
ONE OF THOSE DAYS finished 1.8 lengths behind the top choice in the race referred to above. He is 4kgs worse off at the weights today and may battle to turn the form around. He is carded to race on 23 December 2025 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored.
Race 4
ZIP CODE was doing his best work late when fourth over 1475m at the Vaal last time. He has dropped to a competitive rating and can notch up his second-career victory. He is carded to race on 30 December 2025 and his progress in that race will need to be monitored.
BLIZZARD QUEST stayed on when fourth over 1450m on the Inside course last time. He is having his peak run today and should be cherry-ripe. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
SINGLETON SAM has been disappointing in his last two starts after returning from a 17-week break. It is encouraging that Gavin Lerena keeps faith in the ride and on best form shown, he would not be a shock winner.
Race 5
GRAND EMPIRE has been impressive in both his victories to date. He showed a good turn of foot over 1400m at the Vaal last time and won going away. The son of Vercingetorix should have no issues with the rise to 1600m. He faces his toughest test, but carries a handy galloping mass of 54.5kgs and can remain unbeaten.
PIONEER SQUARE is better than his last start as he was reported to be not striding out. He won the Non-Black Type Michaelmas Handicap in his penultimate outing. If putting his best foot forward, he should be competitive.
MAX THE MAGICIAN has good recent form lines to his name. Two of his five career victories have come over this distance. He should get a good run in transit from pole position and cannot be ignored
Race 6
FUTURE DATE has consistent form lines to her credit. She tired late over 1700m at the Vaal last time. She won over this distance at the Vaal, three runs ago. Ryan Munger rides from a good draw of two and she may be the one to side with.
DIMAKO’S JET finished 0.8 lengths behind the top choice last time. She is 0.5kgs better off at the weights today and there should not be much separating the pair at the finish.
BAKWENA stayed on when third over 1600m on the Vaal Classic course last time. She does have a wide draw to overcome, but gets the services of Keagan de Melo who will give her all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 7
SURPRISE PARTY stayed on to finish fifth after a slow start over this distance on the Vaal Classic course. She ran a good race when second over 2000m at the Vaal in her penultimate outing. She is a filly with scope. She is likely to be settled near the rear of the field and will be mowing down the frontrunners.
PEPPER TREE stayed on when fourth over 2000m on the Vaal Classic course last time. She finished 0.6 lengths behind the top choice, three runs ago. She is 0.5kgs worse off at the weights today and may have to settle for the same result.
LITTLEMISSSPLENDID stayed on when fourth over 1700m on the Vaal Classic course last time. She would have come on from the run and should strip much fitter. The daughter of Act Of War cannot be ignored.
Race 8
RED SPARROW showed good signs of a form return over 2000m on the Vaal Classic course last time. She set the pace that day before tiring late. The daughter of Act Of War has dropped to a competitive rating. There doesn’t seem to be much pace in the race and she may get her own way in front. She may be hard to peg back.
HAT FURIOUS’ last three starts have been decent. He should have finished closer last time as he was eased at the 300m mark. With a bit of luck in running, he should pose a threat.
CASUS BELLI has shown signs of a form return in his last two starts over 2000m. Gavin Lerena is booked to ride and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most.
Race 9
Trainer Lucky Houdalakis holds a strong hand in this contest. RINGA RINGA ROSES tried hard when second over 1600m on the Vaal Classic course last time, but found one too good in the form of The Mightiest. She won her previous two efforts over 1450m on the Inside course. Gavin Lerena steps back into the saddle and she may be the one to side with.
UNITED OFFER was not disgraced when sixth in the Grade 3 Ducat Africa Fillies Mile last time. She finished second over this distance at the Vaal in her penultimate run. She jumps from a good draw of three and should pose a threat.
MOUNTAIN HIGH showed signs of needing her last start over 1600m. She has won once and finished third once from three starts over this distance. She will strip fitter and can show good improvement
