Clash of the Titanettes next week – Dancer’s Daughter (pic Thurs am) vs River Jetez

Tonight’s meeting at Greyville gets somewhat overshadowed by the mighty challenges looming over the next few days here in KZN.. finally the big guns roll out and on Sunday Pocket Power tackles Our Giant, then on Wednesday Dancer’s Daughter (pictured) takes on River Jetez with both matches over the same Clairwood 1450m - exciting stuff!

By the time this is uploaded on Friday morning, Pocket Power will have put in his final prep gallop and River Jetez will have her sprint up on Saturday. I'll be heading out there again tomorrow to get the latest so check back here on Sunday for the updates or hook up direct with Interbet's Facebook page ID - Interbet Sa

Thandolwami has all but won a black type event

The headliner Bettingworld 1900m is the 7th race on the card and there’s a glaring absence of SA’s top racehorses involved, this resulting in a weaker than normal field when compared with past years. Local July hopeful Thandolwami has been threatening to win a feature for some time and has placed 2nd in a grade-2 and a grade-3, as well as a 3rd in a grade-1 most recently. He’s 2nd favourite at 5/1 and as with more than half the competitors, he’s looking for a win here to bounce into the July final field.

Judged Excellent (pic Thurs am) is fancied by Mike Bass to run well

Spoke to Mike Bass about his runners and he was reluctant to commit to who’d come out best, saying he usually gets it wrong. Regarding Air Combat, he’s very well but there is the concern about whether he will get the trip. Thundering Jet has a tough task from the draw, especially because the fail rail is almost non-existent for tonight. Judged Excellent garnered the best response from Mike who ‘fancies his chances’ and expects him to be thereabouts.

Gold Game @ 8/1 back to sprinting and poised to strike!

In the 8th race an interesting runner is No.5 Gold Game (8/1) who reverts to the minimum distance over which he’s unbeaten. He’s been riddled with problems, particularly with his feet and breathing, two critical areas for racing but they’ve been attended to and he is now on the comeback trail. His last start over 1600m is best ignored as the track conditions that day were bad news and there is the very real questionmark around whether he’s effective over anything further than blistering sprints. Prior to that, he put in a very decent run in the Byerley Turk a month ago, moving up midway down the straight but failing to stay on at the end. He was reported to have needed the run and considering the strength of that field it was a promising effort. The form from that race has so far proved to be rock solid and there’s nothing here in that league. Gold Game has really been looking good lately and back to his best distance from a good draw, 8/1 does seem exceedingly generous – he should win this easy but don’t take my word for it, I haven't backed a winner in so long memories of the experience have all but faded from recollection.

In the 4th race No.2 Rushing Wind (16/10) is considered by Bernard Fayd'Herbe to be his best ride on the night

No.3 Bullion 8/1 (pic thurs am) - trainer Vaughn Marshall says he’ll need the run and it will be a surprise to see him win

No.5 London Action (8/1) – Garth Puller says London Action is very well but the field is a bit strong for him and he should rather be followed over Clairwood 1450m when a race next becomes available.

An interesting contest and the outcome may hinge on the readiness of the classy Bush Pirate (16/10). If he’s not quite there yet then Rushing Wind is waiting in the wings to clean up. Of the local contenders, watch out for Lune De Miele (50/1) he’s an awesome specimen highly rated by his trainer and looked in exceptional condition last time out but blew his chances (yet again) by not settling. He’ll get it right sooner or later and should be watched. With London Action, although the trainer isn’t confident I don’t think he should be written off in this race. With almost no false rail front running tactics are going to be an advantage and things could play into his hands. He’s got settling issues but has plenty ability as his close-up 4th behind multiple graded stakes winner Blue Tiger shows. Place contender

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In the 3rd race Bennet Bulana runs No.2 Dancing Casey (7/1) and he is very bullish about her chances. Must include in everything.

In the 9th race, Tony Rivalland sends out Jenna the Pink from his Clairwood (secondary) stable. She returns from a long break but Tony reports that she’s well so keep an eye on her she's a lovely looking filly.

All prices quoted from www.interbet.co.za as of Friday morning (22 May-09)