All Racing Tips w/c 17th August

This weeks local racing kicks off with Greyville (poly) on Tuesday followed by the Vaal on Wednesday. Thursday is blank and then there is a polytrack double header at Fairview and Greyville on Friday. Saturday is Durbanville and Sunday is Scottsville. 

Top racing in the UK Wednesday to Saturday with the Ebor Festival at York so will take a look at that as well.

Previews and picks to follow and all this week's racing tips are most welcome on this thread

Greyville Tuesday, a couple of others I'm tempted by so might add to these early picks in the morning.

Race 3 Your Ladyship at 5/1, ran well last 2 on this surface from wide draws and pole position today. MR sliding and  useful 2.5kg claimer on board 
Race 6 One Path at 7/2, ticks a few boxes, connections also had a winner here on Friday 
Race 8 Thought Control at 3/1. The least exposed of these runners, form of latest win franked

Competitive racing on the Greyville polytrack today. 

Race 1 - Ayzal (12/10) bumped an above average first timer last time. Was still very green and can only improve. Bellanca Viking (9/2) ran over the same distance that day when finishing 4th in a slower time than Ayzal. She can only also improve on that run and is one I would follow next time over further. SW 2x3

Race 2 - The Flat Cat (3/1) is showing good improvement and having his peak run after a +-80 day rest. Two winners from previous run (Old Harry Rocks and Skipper Zip) when just over a length 4th to Tickey Box. I have fancied In The Red (9/1) at bigger odds before. Hung in last time, second run after a 3 month rest today. Platinum Grey (29/20) formlines hasn't exactly stood up that well for me. 

Race 3 - A few with a positive weight swing to consider. I agree with Chris, Your Ladyship (28/10) from draw one with apprentice Louw claiming a further 2.5kgs.

Race 4 - Ultra Quick (4/1) won his last three starts over 1600m, including 2 over C&D. Jockey de Melo in red hot form and deadly on the polytrack. Respect for Hoodia (21/20) who is having his peak run and placed in both starts on poly behind talented horses. 

Race 6 - Praise De La Rey (3/1) is in form, earning a stake cheque in his last 8 runs. Won maiden over C&D. The stable is very confident. Heard the song on radio last night for the first time in ages, could be an omen  .

Race 7 - Close at the weights. Champagne Mac (23/10) is having his peak run in KZN and should win if takes to the poly. Also jockey strike with Serino Moodley now taking over from apprentice Sesingi. Respect for Trafalgar Square (33/10).

Race 8 - Again close at the weights for a few runners. I'm taking a chance with Lou Lou (6/1 e/w) who plummets in class after lining up in feature races against the likes of Quickstepgal and Keukenhof recently. She only carries 54.5kgs and jockey Venniker knows her well. Think it was Southpaw or KT who pointed out a few weeks ago what strong record the Roberts yard have in the final race of a meeting. 

Feel like crying. In The Red won race 2 with ease @ odds of 9/1. Rookie mistake by not sticking to a horse tipped in its previous run, no matter what the odds! This horse ran under a length 2nd to Kazenoyoni in its 2nd start and then had excuses behind the likes of Eric Dubois and Rich Man's World after that. I wasn't impressed with his last run behind Gimme A Fireball(Another horse rated by its stable) and decided not today.

Bit of a result in Race 4 with Ultra Quick, who was totally unfancied in the market by race time, and Hoodia both missing the P/A. 

In the Red, Rachel for Doug Campbell another pointer Jacques, I swerved that race but would probably have also gone Flat Cat who was backed. I hit the post twice and got Thought Control in but feels like I missed out overall on Tuesday.

Vaal on Wednesday just the two for me and not with much confidence in all honesty.but can't get hurt at the prices. 

Race 6 Diwali Rocket at 7/1. Has a wide gate to overcome but should enjoy the step back up to 1800m after taking on stronger over 7 furlongs last time.

Race 7 Naretoi each way at 20/1. No show last time but some weight turnarounds from previous runs put him in with a squeak. MR dropping and regular jockey back on board.

Punters Challenge Preview

Tipsters Sheet

Racing Hub  

You were extremely unlucky with One Path Chris, he looked a winner all the way. Well picked. Hope someone took the swinger with our picks, One Path and Praise De La Rey which paid a generous R4.30. We missed out indeed.

Vaal Wednesday:
Race 2 - Handsome Badger (23/10) is a R1 million half brother to Bristol Hercules. The de Kock yard have been sending out some good 3yo of late including the impressive Reckless Abandon this past Sunday. Campo Formio (25/10) is racing week in, week out dropping back to 1400m today. Champion jockey Craig Zackey takes the ride for the first time. He ran a close 4th in his only run over this trip and should win soon. The Spies yard have already send out 3 winners and plenty of places this month so he is in with a chance. I have fancied him before and won't leave him out today just to possibly suffer the same fate as with In The Red yesterday. Steel Pier (3/1) had winners in front and behind him in his previous races. Last run in a workriders he was found not striding out and blowing. He could also get closer to the action. Boxed SW/TF 3x4x6

Race 3 - Takeachanceonme (11/4) earned a stake cheque in all 5 of her starts thus far. Korcula (23/20) drops back 600m in distance. I'm not a fan of such big drop in distance, the formlines of her two runs over 1400m and 1450m doesn't appeal to me. Won't be surprised if this race throws a big result. 

Race 4 - Future Red (13/20) was quietly fancied when 3rd on local debut behind the talented Hot Choice. She should improve and rates the horse to beat. I'll chase some value by backing Echo Of The Wild (15/4) who was badly interfered with leaving the 200m in his last run. He was also found making an abnormal respiratory noise that day. The step up in trip shouldn't be a problem and I feel he could turn the tables with Uncle Bob (14/10). SW/EX 6x4

Race 5 - Titans Of War (36/10) is the Magner yard's only runner on the day and one of only three for jockey of the moment, Keegan de Melo. The combo enjoyed some success recently with Master's Lady and is one I will follow closely. Formbook suggests Titans Of War needs further than the 1800m today, could this be a prep run for a bigger race later? King's Express (9/2) has been racing against stronger, good form over 1800m and won for jockey, Samo-Burthia before. Olympian Gold (31/20) won after returning from a 3 month rest last time out. He has earned a stake cheque in all 8 of his career starts, his strongest task to date. Certainly up to it as the yard is also in top form.

Race 6 - Culturati (4/1) won a competitive race returning from a rest last time out. He should improve and will be a big runner with the aid of the apprentice claim. 

Race 7 - Unsolved Riddle (8/1) comes from the Culturati formline. He has decent form over 1600m and could be the e/w value of the race. Interesting to see Keegan de Melo riding Redlightgreenlight (34/10) for the Peter stable. Redlightgreenlight was slapped with a MR of 88 after winning his maiden, but has steadily dropped to a competitive 76. Not much between him and Snow Moon (7/1) at the weights. Golden Warrior (18/1) contested graded races earlier and his MR fell from 105 to 79 in less than a year. He could also become competitive soon. SW 3x7

Race 8 - Bell Of Angelus (7/1) won over 1000m last time out, I feel 1200m is his best trip. He narrowly beat Sergeant Soqrat that day, who came out and ran a credible 2nd to Trompe L'Oeil last Thursday. The Webber yard has 4 runners in the race and I'm not sure what to make of the jockey bookings. He carries only 48kgs as apprentice Botes takes the ride. There has been money for Valieva (5/1 from 7/1), who has been racing against stronger and dropped in rating. She has been competitive off this rating before. SW/Box EX 5x13

Thanks Jacques, I'm going to York. A few thoughts.

R1 Starting with a Hail Mary, West Acre is way overpriced at 50/1 imo on best form, blew start last time so that is best ignored.

Races 2,3 and 4, fancied runners look hard to beat, hard to see past the first 3 or so in the betting but I'm undecided as to whether to get involved. Looking forward to seeing Ombudsman either way. 

Race 5 Small Fry probably a worthy fav on last run but would have hoped for a bigger price in such a competitive big field handicap, Two at each way prices, Manxman 14/1 (returning from a very long break but has gone well fresh in the past), Kilmeaden (irish raider) 25/1, good run last time out a few days back, each way shout if this does n't come too soon.

Race 6 Two I like here, Poatan at 11/1, trainer saying needs soft, rain has arrived but perhaps not as much as will be needed but unless they scratch it late I'll be involved. Also like Underwriter each way at 14/1 based on good last run at huge odds. 

Race 7 Ending with another Hail Mary, Savage Mariner, cracking debut run behind a top sort, two shockers since but just on that debut run alone I'm thinking this one is worth including each way at all of 33/1