Piere Strydom’s Turffontein picks

He was well beaten last time but it may have been too far for him. He has the better draw and should again beat Rebel Flame who lacks pace and is badly drawn. The only dangers appear to be Weaponology and Ultra Silver

My two picks in Race 2 are Colour My World and It’s Magic. Obviously Colour My World can make more improvement as he’s only had one run. Neither has great form and it would be no surprise to find a first timer winning this race.

In Race 3 I ride Penitent Pirate. Although he ran second last time it is very poor form. In fact, three starts ago he finished behind Law Enforcer while Out My Way finished just 1.25 lengths behind Law Enforcer in his only start and you can get 20-1. The stable jockey is riding an unraced horse in Shoshone and that makes me think one should rather lean towards the first timers. The fact they have backed Splendid Garden as well makes it more likely a first timer will win this.

As a result, for the Place Accumulator I am taking Out My Way, Shoshone and Splendid Garden.

In Race 4 I’ve bankered Red Star in all bets. After studying form, Amber Jet finished behind Image while Gold Cup Girl finished 2.50 lengths ahead of Image in the race won by Pennington Sands.

Then there is a formline with Rascality in which Red Star finished closer to Rascality than Gold Cup Girl.

With No 3 draw this time she has a lot more in her favour and more room for improvement.

Race 5 looks quite difficult. There are quite a couple for horses with chances – Rodeo Dandy, Heart Of A Lion, Dennis The Menace and Crown Gold. Heart Of A Lion should find this too short but as he is quite a classy sort he could race fresh after a rest and could surprise. But the fact this is 1000m in the middle of winter he could battle to get there, even though he has the most talent.

My first pick, though, and he’s a possibly both a PA and Pick 6 banker, is De Var Hyt. In his last four starts he was twice drawn quite badly on the inside track where it is vital to have a good draw. He also was beaten by Magico, who we know is a feature-race winner and would quite easily beat this field.

He also ran second to Vulcan who won last Thursday to frank the form.

On current form he is the horse they all have to beat but unfortunately he misbehaves quite badly at the start and that could cost him dearly. You need to decide for yourself whether you hope he will behave or whether you need to have others as back-up.

In Race 6 I’m riding Coby. She’s held on numerous runs and looking at the form, the best I can hope for is a place. We decided to put blinkers on her which I hope will help. She doesn’t quite put her mind on the job and doesn’t travel. The blinkers should keep her focused on the task at hand and improve her form.

But, as she held on a number of runs, I’m leading towards Barrack Babe, Tinseltown and Turkish Delight, in that order. You could also consider Arica Blue as she has a reputation as nice filly, is drawn No1 and has a light weight.

In Race 7 I’m riding Baracah. On current form I’m not expecting too much. In fact, I tried other horses I this race and Baracah was only a pick-up ride. My banker for the PA is Judicial and for the

Pick 6 I would just add in Augustinus.

There is a saying in racing that the smaller the field, the bigger the upset, and I normally attribute it to a lack of pace. This race could possibly have the same problem.

In Race 8 I’m riding Klondike River. He is held on form but he’s drawn No 2 as opposed to his earlier runs where he has had to overcome bad draws. This is quite an open race and I would include him in all bets. Others who have beaten him in the past and look the ones to beat are Commodore Al, Ganesh and Afterburner. Those should suffice for the PA.

For the Pick 6 include Lions Emblem. Even though he is held on form he is lightly raced so could make improvement, and is drawn No1.

In Race 9 I ride National Key. He has good form but has bled before and he coughed last time. As a result you cannot trust him and the fact Captain Haddock has beaten him tells you what sort of chance he has. However, he needs to be included in all bets.

This looks one of the hardest races on the card. I exercised Mr Mulliner last time before his run and I was quite surprised he shortened in the betting after I told everyone the horse was not fit. He probably will be a lot fitter now.

Anyday Anytime has a huge reputation and his form is quite solid. Topostwego has run just behind some of the best of his age group in the country and, as he has shortened significantly in the betting, he is an obvious inclusion. Those four are my PA selections. For the Pick 6 you have to consider all of Brad Surge, Captain Haddock, Hillbrow, Hard Rock and Ahoy Captain.

In Race 10 I ride Nuggets. I hope he can place but unfortunately I got turned down on the horse I wanted to ride – Last Battle. My first selection is Captain’s Anchor and my total roughie is Campbell Black. He’s run over distances that were possibly too far for him in the past and his merit rating has come down significantly.