Winning Form selections for all races from Turffontein on Saturday 5th October where there are huge prizes available in the free to enter @Hollywoodbets Punters Challenge
Race 1
This is a weak Maiden Plate and caution is advised. The tentative first selection is THE OCTAGON from the Alec Laird stable. He has finished third in his last two starts over this distance in KZN. The son of Ideal World meets the right field and with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, he should find himself in the winner’s enclosure.
OBSIDIAN was in need of his debut effort over 1160m on the Standside course. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. He will love the rise to 1600m and should make the natural improvement.
CLIFFIE CLAVIN ran a fair race over 1500m on this course last time. It must be noted that the horse that finished second that day has come out and won since. He is coming along the right way and can feature.
Race 2
ANCIENT WISDOM was disappointing in her last start over 1450m on this course. It must be noted that multiple horses from that form line have come out and won since. Her debut effort when second over 1450m catches the eye. If finding the form of that race, she should be the one to beat.
FETCHING FLYER stayed on when fourth over this C&D last time. Her penultimate run when second over this distance on the Standside course, catches the eye. Rachel Venniker takes the 1.5kgs off her back and she is one of the leading contenders.
STORMY SUNDAY has fair form lines to her credit. She returns from a 15-week break, during which time she would have strengthened up. From pole position, she can finish in the placings.
Race 3
BATTLEOFBARBERTON was given a peach of a ride when winning his last start over this distance on the Vaal Classic course. He would have come on from the run and should strip fitter. Piere Strydom retains the ride and the pair can follow up with another victory.
ATARIME ran a fair race over 1600m last time. He has won once and finished third once from as many starts over this distance. Rachel Venniker takes the 1.5kgs off his back and he is one of the leading contenders.
MOOLA MAN’S last two starts have been good. The manner in which he finished off his last start suggests that he will love the rise to 2000m. He runs well for Gavin Lerena and must be included in all bets.
Race 4
RAISEAHALLELUJAH won a game race in his last start over this C&D. He raced from a handy position and kept finding all the way to the line. He meets a similar line-up this afternoon and should notch up his ninth-career victory.
EXPLOSIVE BOND finished 1.25 lengths behind the top choice last time. He is 1kg better off at the weights today and should finish closer as a result.
ZEUS finished 5.4 lengths behind the top selection in the race referred to above. He is 1kg better off at the weights today which is not enough for the tables to be turned.
Race 5
MIA MOO found one too good in the form of Double Grand Slam in the Grade 3 Umzimkhulu Stakes last time. She returns from a 27-week break which would have done her the world of good. The daughter of Vercingetorix will enjoy the drop to 1200m and if keeping on a straight line, she should be too good for this field.
SALENIO PENINSULA is unbeaten from two starts, the latest of which was over this C&D. She takes on much stronger but looks to have ability and can bring up the hat-trick.
FORCE EIGHT’S last start is best ignored as she was reported to be not striding out. She ran a fair race in her penultimate run over 1160m on the Standside course. If putting her best foot forward, she can finish in the placings.
Race 6
WHITE PEARL is much better than her last start in the Grade 1 SA Fillies Sprint. She returns from an 18-week break and is having her first run for the season. The daughter of Danon Platina has won once and finished second twice from as many starts over this C&D. On best form shown, it would not be a shock to see her in the winner’s enclosure.
CELTIC RUMOURS is unbeaten from three starts over this distance. She has won once and finished third once from as many starts on this course. Should the top choice fluff her lines, she may be the one to pick up the pieces.
GIMME A SHOT won a good race over this distance on the Vaal Classic course last time. She has won twice and finished third once from four starts on this track. The 5yo mare is in a good space and merits healthy respect.
Race 7
MAIN DEFENDER finished 1.4 lengths behind UNZEN last time. He is 6.5kgs better off at the weights today and that should be enough for the tables to be turned. He won this race last year and with Gavin Lerena in the saddle, he can retain his title.
PURPLE PITCHER stayed on when third in the Grade 1 The HKJC Champions Cup. He returns from a 10-week break and makes his seasonal debut. He won his only attempt over this C&D and merits healthy respect.
GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE ran a fair race in the Grade 1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge last time. He has won once and finished second once from as many starts over this C&D. He is drawn wide in barrier 12 but Craig Zackey knows him well and should give him all the necessary assistance from the saddle.
Race 8
TRUTH is better than his last two starts at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He returns from a 10-week break which would have done him the world of good. He showed good promise earlier in his career and if putting his best foot forward, he should be the one to beat.
BUFFALO STORM CODY was running on when second over this C&D last time. It must be noted that multiple horses from that form line have come out and won since. He is having his peak run today and Gavin Lerena may be able to get the best out of him where it matters most.
HOTARUBI returns from a 13-week break which may have done him the world of good. He has finished second once and third once from as many starts on this course. Piere Strydom is booked to ride and he may be able to coax that little bit extra out of him where it matters most.
Race 9
KARANGETANG finished 2 lengths behind SMITH AND WESSON last time. He is 3.5kgs better off at the weights today which is enough for the tables to be turned. He is likely to race on the speed and may be hard to peg back.
SWING UPON A STAR had excuses in his last start against stronger. He finished second in his only attempt over this C&D. Should the top choice fluff his lines, he may be the one to pick up the pieces.
RAINBOW REWARD has not finished too far off the winner in recent outings. He has won twice, finished second three times and third three times from 11 starts over this distance. The son of Rafeef should earn another cheque for his patrons
Full details of how to play the Punters Challenge are available here
Details of how to open a Hollywoodbets account
