Winning Form selections for racing from Turffontein on Saturday 31st October where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
More than half the runners are first timers and the betting market will be the best guide. THE LIVING YEARS is an unraced daughter of Vercingetorix from the Mike and Mathew de Kock stable with Callan Murray aboard. She is related to multiple winners including Safe Passage and Silver Sanctuary. If not in need of the experience, she should start her career on a positive note.
SMOKE AND SHADOWS is a son of Gimmethegreenlight from the Sean Tarry yard with Keagan de Melo doing duty. His mother, Victoria Paige was a four-time winner from 1400m to 1600m. If not too green in running, he should give a good account of himself.
GLOBAL SKY is a son of Gimmethegreenlight from the Clinton Binda stable.
Race 2
MISS BARBADOS produced an encouraging debut effort when fourth over 1200m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. She raced from a handy position and stayed on at the finish. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. The daughter of Chimichuri Run would have gained from the experience and with the natural improvement that is expected, she may find herself in the winner’s enclosure.
PITERAQ stayed on when third over 1000m at TAB Vaal last time. Matinee was an impressive debut winner on that occasion. The daughter of Hawwaam is in a good space and should the top choice fluff her lines, she may be the one to pick up the pieces.
QUINTARELLI is an unraced daughter of New Predator from the Lucky Houdalakis stable with Keagan de Melo doing duty. Her mother, Thumbs Up was a five-time winner from 1100m to 1200m. If not in need of the experience, she should start her career on a positive note. The betting market will be the best guide with regards to her and the other unraced entrants.
Race 3
CATFISH was super-impressive when winning his last start over 1200m at TAB Vaal. He showed a good turn of foot and won with ease. The son of Danon Platina has won three times, finished second four times and third once from eight starts over this distance.
He carries a handy galloping mass of 53kgs and may be the one to side with. TROMPE L’OEIL was a tad disappointing over 1200m at TAB Vaal last time. Both his career victories have come over this distance. The son of Gimmethegreenlight is loaded with ability and if putting his best foot forward, he should pose a threat.
KAALVOET showed signs of needing his last start over 1100m at TAB Vaal. He would have come on from the outing and should strip much fitter. His effort when fourth in the Grade 2 Golden Horse Sprint catches the eye. On best form shown, he should be competitive.
Race 4
FLOWER ISLAND is the top bet on the programme. She was given a peach of a ride when winning the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring F & M Challenge last time. The daughter of Rafeef would have come on from the outing. She should get a good run in transit from pole position and is the horse to beat.
GET UP had to overcome a wide draw when 2 lengths behind the top selection in the race referred to above. She will strip a much fitter horse and has cracked a good draw of two. She has won under Craig Zackey previously and the combination merit healthy respect.
ALICE B TOKLAS was a beaten odds-on favourite in the Grade 2 Douglas Whyte Thekwini Stakes last time. It must be noted that Marchland has come out and won again since. The 14-week break would have done her the world of good and if fit, she should have a say in the outcome of this contest.
Race 5
BISOU BISOU’S last three starts have been good. He finished 0.25 lengths behind TIME IS PRECIOUS last time and is 2kgs better off at the weights. He finished 0.55 lengths behind GIMME A FIREBALL in his penultimate outing and is 7kgs better off.
He finished 1.1 lengths behind FISH TALES three runs ago and is 2kgs better off at the weights. The son of Querari jumps from an ideal draw of four and with Craig Zackey retaining the ride, he can return to winning ways. FISH TALES ran on powerfully to win the Grade 2 World Pool Bet With Tote Umkhomazi Stakes last time. He returns from a 14-week break and is having his first run for Mike and Mathew de Kock. The son of Heavenly Blue would have strengthened up and if fit, he can remain unbeaten.
FIERCENESS fought hard for his last victory over 1000m on the Inside course. The son of Hawwaam is above average and if seeing out the 1400m, he would not be a surprise winner.
Race 6
SCARLET O’HARA may not have seen out the 2200m last time. She has won three times and finished second once from as many starts over this distance. The daughter of Red Ray is likely to be settled near the rear of the field from her wide draw and if there is a decent pace, she will be finishing strongly.
INDIAN OCEAN finished 1.3 lengths behind INTO DANCING last time. She is 3kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough to turn the form around. She is having her peak run and may be hard to peg back.
INTO DANCING won a good race in the Non-Black Type Allez France Stakes last time. The daughter of Ideal World always gives of her best and can notch up the hat-trick.
Race 7
I’M A FIREBALL ran a cracker when second in the Grade 2 Betway Joburg Spring Challenge last time. He set the pace before getting caught late by Gladatorian. The son of Vercingetorix is having his peak run. He should race on the pace from pole position and with Muzi Yeni back in the saddle, he may be hard to peg back.
CHOISAANADA finished 1.9 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 1.5kgs worse off at the weights and may have to settle for the same result. This outing will bring him to his peak for the Betway Summer Cup.
COSMIC SPEED finished 2 lengths behind the top selection in the race referred to above. He is 2kgs worse off at the weights on this occasion. The son of Querari has cracked a good draw of two and on best form shown, he should be competitive.
Race 8
CURIOUS GIRL should have finished closer to the winner in the Non-Black Type Michaelmas Handicap last time as she hung inwards in the closing stages. The daughter of Futura is unbeaten from two starts on this course. She will strip a much fitter horse and from pole position, she can return to winning ways.
BEST CANDIDATE has good consistent form to his name. He set the pace over 1800m last time but found one too good in the form of First Wish. If seeing out the extra distance on offer, he should throw out a big challenge to the top choice.
POSITIVE ATTITUDE was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over this distance at TAB Vaal. The booking of Richard Fourie is a big plus and with luck in running, he can follow up.
RACE 9
KING HARALD was doing his best work late when fifth over this distance on the Inside course last time. The son of Erik The Red has won twice, finished second once and third once from eight starts on this course. He is having his peak run and if not too far out of his ground turning for home, he can win.
PLEASE BE TRUE hails from the visiting Justin Snaith stable. He showed guts when winning his last start over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. If all went well with his travels, he should fight out the finish.
IMMEDIATE EDGE returns from a lengthy 69-week break. He is much better than his last start in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July. The son of Vercingetorix won his only attempt over this C&D. If not in need of the run, he should give a good account of himself.
RACE 10
PERIODIC TABLE followed up his maiden victory with a good second-place finish over this distance on the Inside course. He showed good speed that day before getting caught late by Fierceness. The son of Danon Platina has plenty of scope and may be hard to peg back.
EVENING PARADE was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over 1200m at TAB Vaal. He won his maiden over this C&D at the second time of asking. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
DOG IN THE FOG was an impressive winner on debut over this distance at TAB Vaal. He showed good speed, found another kick and won with a ton in hand. The son of Vercingetorix takes on stronger, but he could be anything and may be up to the task at hand