Winning Form selections for racing from the Vaal on Thursday 5th March where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
PROUD MARY is an unraced daughter of Vercingetorix from the Mike and Mathew de Kock stable with Callan Murray aboard. She is related to Grade 1 winner Thunderstruck. If not in need of the run, she should start her career on a positive note. The betting market will be the best guide with regards to her chances.
GRANDE HAWAII ran a creditable race on debut over 1160m at Turffontein. She lost a length leaving the start, understandably raced green but the manner in which she stayed on at the finish was encouraging. The daughter of Hawwaam would have come on from the run and she should make the natural progression.
DRACHENFUTTER is an unraced daughter of Hawwaam from the Lucky Houdalakis stable with Craig Zackey in the irons. If not too green in running, she should give a good account of herself.
Race 2
THE BRONX BULL ran a decent race on debut over 1000m at Turffontein. He took time to find his feet, but stayed on at the business end. The son of Buffalo Bill Cody would have gained from the experience and should love the rise to 1200m. With the natural improvement that is expected, he may be the one to beat.
SHINING SUN is an unraced son of Danon Platina from the Johan Janse van Vuuren yard with Keagan de Melo in the saddle. He is related to multiple winners including Joy And Peace and Forever Mine. If not too green in running, he should start his career on a positive note. The betting market will be the best guide with regards to him and the other first timers.
SHERIFF BILL BROWN is a son of Buffalo Bill Cody from the Lucky Houdalakis yard with Craig Zackey in the saddle. If not in need of the run, he should give a good account of himself.
Race 3
SPEEDMAN won a game race over 1450m on the Turffontein Inside course last time. He received a six-pound penalty for that victory. He should have no issues with the drop to 1200m. He has class about him and with match fitness on his side, he can follow up with another victory.
TITAN OF THE TURF returns from a lengthy 32-week break, during which time he would have strengthened up. He won on debut under Craig Zackey. If not in need of the run, he should pose a massive threat.
STONEYWOOD showed speed when winning his last start over 1160m at Turffontein. He finished second in his penultimate outing on this course. The son of William Longsword carries a handy galloping mass of 54.5kgs and must be considered.
Race 4
TOP FLOOR ran a good race when second in his comeback run over this distance on the Turffontein Inside course. He stayed on at the finish but found one too good in the form of Status. The son of Rafeef will strip a much fitter horse today and from his good draw of two, he can go one better.
POMPEII SHIELD finished 0.6 lengths behind the top choice last time. The pair meet on the same weight terms today and there should not be much separating them at the finish.
SMUGGLER has shown improvement in each of his races to date. He was slow into stride last time but stayed on to finish fourth. He gets the blinkers fitted for the first time which should keep his mind on the task at hand.
Race 5
FUTURE GAMBLE ran a good race in her first outing on the Highveld. She took the lead at the 200m mark that day before getting caught late by Galaxy Queen. The daughter of Futura will love the longer straight and she can go one better.
MIRACULOUS MOMENT ran a creditable race on debut over 1160m at Turffontein. The manner in which she stayed on at the finish that day suggests that she will love the rise to 1600m. With the natural improvement that is expected, she should pose a massive threat.
SOUTHAMPTON is having her first run for the Fanie Bronkhorst stable. She was not beaten far in her last start over this distance at Hollywoodbets Durbanville. Ryan Munger rides and the combination cannot be discounted.
Race 6
TOMMY SHELBY won a good race in his last start over 1800m on the Turffontein Inside course. He showed a good turn of foot that day and won going away. The son of Querari won his only attempt over this C&D. Apprentice Blaine Marx-Jacobson takes the 4kgs off his back which will assist his cause. He is in a good space and can follow up with another victory.
BOB’S YOUR UNCLE stayed on when third over 1450m on this course last time. It must be noted that the form of that race has been franked. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
BIRTHRIGHT found another kick after setting the pace in his last victory over this C&D. He received a five-pound penalty for that win. The son of William Longsword jumps from a good draw of four and may be hard to peg back.
Race 7
DUCHESS OF PALOMA has top recent form lines to her name. She showed a good turn of foot when winning her last start over this C&D. The daughter of Royal Mo takes another rise in class, but she is in a good space, and should be up to the task at hand.
AZALEAS FOR ALL has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. She has won once, finished second once and third twice from five starts over this C&D. The daughter of Captain Of All will be mowing down the frontrunners.
COCOMELON finished 2.8 lengths behind the second choice last time. She is 1kg better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result.
Race 8
ONE MORE STAR is better than his last start against stronger company as he was reported to be fatigued. He has won twice and finished second once from four starts over this C&D. The son of One World drops back in class and with Callan Murray in the saddle, he can return to winning ways.
GIMMEACHOICE’S last two starts have been good. He is having his peak run today and will be cherry- ripe. Mickaelle Michel takes the 1.5kgs off his back which will assist his cause. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
NARETOI followed up his maiden victory with a good third-place finish over 1800m on this course. He does have a wide draw to overcome, but Marco van Rensburg knows him well and should give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 9
PIVOTAL ROLE followed up his maiden victory with a good third-place finish over this C&D. He showed good speed before getting outrun late. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. Keagan de Melo retains the ride and the combination may find themselves in the winner’s enclosure.
BLINDFIRE won a good race over this C&D last time. Apprentice Blaine Marx- Jacobson rides once again and the combination merit healthy respect.
ORIENTAL BOUQUET is better than her last start over this C&D. She gets the services of 2.5kgs claiming Apprentice Jacey Botes which will assist her cause. On the form of her penultimate run, she can go close.
Race 10
TRAIL RUNNER followed up her maiden win with a good victory over this distance on the Turffontein Inside course. It must be noted that the horse that finished third that day has come out and won since. She takes on male opposition, but is in a good space and can notch up the hat-trick.
BRAVE VIKING stayed on when second over 1400m at Turffontein last time. He takes a drop back in class and with luck from the widest draw, he should be the first male past the post.
READY SET FIRE is better than his last start over 1160m at Turffontein. He has finished second twice and third once from as many starts on this course. He jumps from pole position and cannot be discounted