Race 1 (1,400m)
Race 1 (1,400m)
The well-bred (5) CRESCENDO returns from a rest and gelding operation. A strong pointer is Craig Zackey picking him after getting off (8) GREEN STREET, who was second in two of three outings and has also shown enough to fight for victory.
The well-related gelding (6) MOLOTOV COCKTAIL is worth a market check on debut.
Runner-up in three of his six starts, (1) ICHACHA need not be fully tuned on his reappearance to play a leading role.
Race 2 (1,700m)
(3) CAPE SAFFRON and (2) NKWENKWEZI are open to improvement over the extended trip, and could fight out the finish, with a slight preference given to the latter from gate 1.
(4) ARTIC SILVER and (5) FLIGHTLIGHT have earlier engagements but should not be far off the mark, if taking their place in this line-up.
(9) LAVA LAMP was fourth on debut and would have come on further from that first run under the belt.
Race 3 (1,700m)
(1) THE ULTIMATE KING has improved with each outing and need not make a great deal of further progress to score on his reappearance as a gelding.
(2) SEVENTH FLEET and (8) FUTURE KING are likely to pose the biggest threat to the selection, although (5) CHIEFTAIN'S SHIELD has the form and experience to also make his presence felt.
Race 4 (1,600m)
Hard-knockers (4) DOUGLAS DRAGON and (7) SAFE SPACE are effective over this distance but probably better over further.
As such, a chance is taken on improving (9) OBSIDIAN who will relish this extended trip after a comeback maiden victory over 1,400m.
(2) WILLOW EXPRESS completes the shortlist.
Race 5 (1,400m)
(7) BOB'S YOUR UNCLE, (4) PRESLEY and (5) THE AFRICA HOUSE are versatile and consistent performers with good records over this distance. They all finished second in their most recent appearances and will likely play leading roles if repeating those performances.
(1) ZUZAN should not be underestimated either. Won a 1,600m race at Turffontein two starts back.
Race 6 (1,200m)
(4) NIGHT VIGIL is a last-start winner and has thrived since relocating to the Highveld.
(11) CALANTHA is lightly raced and remains open to improvement, so could get involved.
Younger rivals (5) MISS LIA and (6) SALENIO PENINSULA also have the ability to stake claims.
Race 7 (1,200m)
(9) CARS BIG AS BARS won back-to-back starts over this distance before a 156-day absence. She is open to any amount of improvement on her reappearance, so it could pay to follow her progress.
Last-start winner (6) MAVERICK QUEEN and (10) LADY OF ARC fit a similar profile and will likely expose any chinks in that rival's armour.
(3) ALABAMA ANNA appeals most of the remainder.
Race 8 (1,200m)
(1) HONG KONG could complete a quick race-to-race double for the Andrew Fortune-Tony Peter combination, with improvement expected after an encouraging comeback second.
(6) ONE PARTY and (7) FLIGHT OF A CONDOR have shown enough to trouble the top weight.
(11) WESTERN WISHES completes the shortlist.
Race 9 (1,000m)
(4) VIRGIN RIVER had (9) PHANTOM EXPRESS and (13) LONELY AS A CLOUD behind her last month when winning a similar contest over this distance. She carries a three-point penalty for her troubles but that should not prevent another bold winning bid, especially as she is weighted to confirm her superiority.
Male rivals (5) TIGER STORM and (7) KINSHIN SHA are specialists over this distance and will likely acquit themselves competitively.
