Odds on Lazer Star is the PA banker in five horse field
The seasonal debut of the superfast Toreador filly Lazer Star should prove to be a highlight of a quality nine-race programme at Turffontein today. The Ormond Ferraris galloper has won five of her seven starts and faces the boys for the first time.
Weiho Marwing will be in the irons again for his owner-wife and at the weights the 9 to 10 shot Lazer Star looks a ready made PA banker in a field reduced to five through scratchings.
Her biggest danger looks to be Piere Strydom’s mount, Belong To Me, who ran a cracking second behind Generalissimo on the Greyville poly last time. Trainer Johan Janse van Vuuren fancies his charge to go very close.
The Pick 6 looks very catchable today and with an estimated pool of R1,7 million, there will be plenty of interest.
The exotic opens in the fourth race at 14h15 and with two fancied first-timers in the mix, it may be prudent to go narrow with a raced runner, or two, as your nerves permit. Our top-rated In The Moment looks the sensible banker as the beautifully-bred R2,4 million first-timer Captain Nemo tops the boards at 12 to 10.
Another first timer in New Predator is next on the betting boards, and even though the yard feels that he may just need the outing, he is a bonus bet for Pick 6 players.
Andrew Fortune confirmed his current excellent form in the saddle with a nicely judged double at Fairview on Friday and he partners Top Shot at the top of the boards in the second leg.
But the banker recommendation here comes in the form of the SP top-rated Felix M, a son of Mambo In Seattle, who has already beaten everything that he faces.
His trainer Alec Laird feels that his turn is coming : “Although he is a very laid-back horse. I would banker him today,” he said with some confidence.
In the third leg, a very weak Fillies & Mares Maiden Plate, Paul Peter’s The Midnight Train tops the boards.
Some will be nervous and banking a rather moderate maiden and the improving Infinity Knot with Weiho Marwing up looks the only logical danger.
Mike De Kock – saddles Mitraad – but fitness is a worry
The Australian-bred Mitraad starts at 15 to 10 and returns from a 36 week rest in the fourth leg. The son of Northern Meteor has won 2 of his 3 starts and looks above average.
On his excellent penultimate run, Tyrone Zackey’s Front Rank could be the danger, and with the scratching of Captain Aldo, this looks another leg where we can go narrow.
The last two legs are handicaps and may be the zone to up the spend ante and go wide to look for the kicker.
The recently consistent Var Bay tops the boards at 5 to 2 for the fifth leg, where recent maiden winner Movie Man, although poorly drawn, warrants consideration, together with Tabreek and Arkansas.
In the final leg, Hit The Big Time is a weak favourite at 4 to1 and with Piere Strydom riding her for the second consecutive time,she may be worth keeping an eye on.
The Paul Matchett yard had 3 winners at the Vaal on Thursday and they send out the former Duncan Howells runner Lemonade River, who won a good race last time.
Beyond those two, SP top-rated Parisienne Chic from the 2 draw may prove some value – but frankly the field, depending on your budget, looks the safest option!
The Bipot gets under way way in race 2 at 13h05, with the PA jumping at 13h40.
