Turffontein, 17/02

Regal Graduation / Zeal and Zest e/w dbls

A mixture of some races that look almost too easy, mixed with some very open handicaps; thoughts ....

R1: Van Halen obviously all the rage - won his first start as he liked - still looks very short in the betting imo given that the first timer Varod is has found betting support and is an unknown quantity - also gets 3kgs from the favorite

R2: Written had been disappointing, but really should fall over to get beat against this lot

R3: The weight received by the unraced and obviously speedy first timer Frankly, should prove decisive - the Spies pair probably fighting for 2nd

R4: Left Hook seems to have a lot in his favour here; pole position, ran his last race to suggest that 1600 should be right up his alley; obvious dangers are Nightwatchem (a worry for me that he comes back in trip) and Ghost Rider (had a few chances), while Mighty Gemini (R1M+ buy) found support in his debut, so could be the upset package

R5: Pennington Sands looks very well in here and I am definitely including her in everything; Sabina's Destiny obviously can't be ignored with Tambalang who should be just about cherry ripe now

R6: Tough race for the stayers; a case of take the field if the budget allows, as even the roughie Sputnik Plain looks well in on some of his previous efforts against Inn a Million; Forafewdollarsmore has the come-on look imo and would be my tentative each-way selection

R7: Very open renewal of the Tommy Hotspur (geez he was quick :ohmy: ) Greasepaint on current form looks very generously priced along with stable mate Brighnumberten; but again it is a case of how many the budget allows

R8: Inyanga imo overdue to win again - rating has dropped and depending on how she goes in the blinkers, should be right there for an in-form stable - inside draw a bit of a worry for me though; On a Mission looks capable - not too sure what went wrong in her last start, but would be very competitive on some of her previous efforts and that stand-side draw won't hurt; the one-time winners imo are up against it a bit, but could of course improve enough to defy the handicapper; runners like Madam Secretary and Last Chirp not out of it either

R9: Looks a two-horse contest; both Hero's Honour and Manhattan Cocktail look really progressive and imo the older horses are going to have to pick up their feet to match them; my preference is for Hero's Honour due to the impression created by the stable that this 1600 is at the bottom of Manhattan Cocktail's range - however HH is out of a Galileo mare, so should also improve even more over ground ; I'm sticking with both - if one looks past them, it becomes a bit of a lottery imo

Enjoy

Pure Blonde in the Tommy Hotspur is the right one for me , stronger jock , blinkers on , all positives for me , having a nibble @ 7/1

1 Vardo
2 All Eyes On You place
3 Miss Boomerang
4 Left Hook
5 Sabina's Dynasty

Inyanga the one for me race 8 , go striker go :woohoo:

How can a Frankel colt not be fav. All his progeny run like good things.

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Joint fav now I see.

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Jim Byrne wrote: How can a Frankel colt not be fav. All his progeny run like good things.

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Hi - which Frankel colt?

The Vardo incident is unfair on the other runners, i think

bayern wrote: The Vardo incident is unfair on the other runners, i think

I agree 100%

The horse was clearly above itself and it was never going to stand for minutes after being loaded. Our starts are an embarrassment when compared to overseas

Van Halen was paying R1 on the tote after the scratchings.

That starter should be shot!!! useless in the highest order