Three runners from Betway Ambassador Mike de Kock’s stable is represented are races on the inside track at
Turffontein on Saturday.
First up is the well-bred Sea Anemone (Race 2, 1600m), who has shown glimpses of being a smart and progressive sort, but hasn’t quite put it all together yet. The filly by Dynasty is in a competitive line-up in which Robbie Sage’s distance specialist Cape Lights is the one to beat. Mike commented: “You can draw a line through Sea Anemone’s last run. She went to the front and nothing went her way. That wasn’t what we wanted. I’d give her a nice eachway chance in this race.”
Zinovi (Race 4, 1000m), a stakes-placed, juvenile winner last season, takes a leap in class against older horses and Mike said: “He comes in fresh off a bit of a rest and this is a tough line-up. I’d say he has a place chance.”
One can only speculate how the handicappers came up with an 82 rating for the Maiden, Mvelelo, in Race 9 over 1600m. Mike has entered him for this handicap following his second place in a small field last week and said: “We’re having a crack at this handicap and we’ll see if the handicappers are right in their assessment of him. If they are right, he has a chance of being competitive because he is doing very well in his work. I like the fact that he has the inside draw, cheek pieces go on and JP felt he had the race won last time but Mvelelo shifted under pressure. Include him.”
In looking at the Betway betting boards on Friday, there is value on several weekend runners, including three at Turffontein.
There was pre-race hype for the Lucky Houdalakis-trained What A Lucy before her 1000m debut earlier this month. She was backed to 9-4 favourite, but slow away and only got into the hunt late, running on for fifth. The extra 200m will suit and at an opening 4-1 she presents eachway prospects.
Zeus, one of the leading three-year-olds of his generation, hasn’t won a race since last December, but he hinted recently that his sixth career success is close and with his lowered rating looks well placed in Race 4 over 3000m. He is a class act, easy to back at 4-1 in a moderate field and has the makings of a Pick 6 banker.
Trainer Tony Peter has noted that he has had a hard time taking the excess weight off the big gelding Tuscan Gold (Race 7) on the gallop track. But it’s safe to assume that Tuscan Gold will be at his peak in his third run in as many weeks, and that he’ll be near his best racing weight to win this time. He started at 13-10 and 28-10 in his last two runs, respectively, and Betway’s 4-1 looks like reasonable value now.
The Pick 6 starts with as an interesting race at HWB Scottsville on Sunday. Mike Miller’s pair of Ancient Wisdom and Billy Of Tea were priced up joint favourites at 3-1, and both have been backed into 5-2. That Billy Of Tea ran within three-quarters of Mike de Kock’s Trois Trois Quatre recently is a good form pointer since the De Kock runner has won again since. But there is probably not much between Miller’s pair and both will have to go into the Pick 6. A swinger certainty?
Sean Tarry is in town with Richard Fourie booked on his fancied runners Mrs Browning (race 6) and National Star (r7), both well-performed and likely to contest the finish. No value about them at odds-on, but strong banker candidates for exotics.
Bet on Horse racing with Betway
Make sure you back the right silks and don’t get boxed in, Betway brings you the latest in Horse Race betting. Find competitive odds and markets when you bet on the horses at Betway.
Get in on horse racing today and place your bets on at Betway.
If you need any assistance, contact us on 0861 787 250 and if you need help placing your first bet, have a look at our How To Bet guide.