The Tommy Hotspur Handicap (Gr 3) tops Saturday's card at Turffontein and eleven runners have been carded for this 1000m event. There are certainly a few in with chances but Renegade may be the one to stick with. Jan Breedt's runner is as game as they come and gained a well deserved victory over this trip at the Vaal last time out. Effective on both turf and sand, he is likely to try and make all the running once again and if there is a concern, it is that he may just be vulnerable to something finishing from off the pace in the closing stages. However, he has Robbie Hill in the irons so he certainly won't lack assistance from the saddle as the race reaches its climax.
Lightning Lecture has spent much of his career competing against the best sprinters around and, having looked out of sorts for some time, came right back to his best with a strong late run to beat Renegade at the latter's penultimate start. He is now 1kg worse off but it's worth noting that Piere Strydom has stuck with him despite winning aboard Renegade last time out. There should not be much between the two once again.
Hurricane Force was just beaten into third behind Lightning Lecture and Renegade last time out and meets them on identical terms. He looks best over this trip and has to be in with a chance. However, Anton Marcus has opted for stable companion Cyber Case, who has been a model of consistency but is yet to convince he can beat a field of this class.
Filly Picadilly Miss has been holding form and could sneak into the placings while cases can be made for any of Fuzzy Cuzzy, Royal Exit, South Country and Beta Patrol to pick up a minor cheque.
Meanwhile, Kenilworth stages a Gr 3 event of its own in the form of the Riverworld Stud Prix Du Cap, a fillies and mares contest over 1400m. This looks to be a far more straightforward affair - on paper, anyway - as Mother Russia stands head and shoulders above her rivals on form. Her third place in the Cape Guineas against the males sets her apart from the rest here and it is augmented by a Gr 1 victory in the Fancourt Majorca Stakes three weeks ago.
Settling on a trifecta combination may prove to be bit trickier. Nordic Moon seldom runs a bad race and it would be no surprise to see her make the frame here while Joshua's Mistress is not the most consistent of late but has some genuine big race to her form to her name. Temair was not disgraced when fourth in the Cape Fillies Guineas, Empress Crown is inconsistent but capable in this league and Ice Belle looks best at this trip but has repeatedly failed in feature race company. They all look capable of earning check at their respective bests but it certainly looks as if they are racing for second place if Mother Russia can reproduce any of her recent efforts.
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