Race-5 (Turf) R 250 000 1800m  - Grade 3 JACARANDA HANDICAP (F & M) - A very open race and an upset lurking

The betting as well as the form of the horses participating in this race suggests that an upset may be on the cards in this very open feature on today's card. Trainer Geoff Woodruff sends out the four-year-old filly TOUCH THE SKY. She showed good improvement last time when staying on this distance on the inside track. She is a proven stayer but she is battling to win her third race and she has stayed out of the number one box for quite some time now. At best she could be the one to bring home the honours despite the slight stepping up in class.

Last time ERIN, the Ormond Ferraris trained five year old mare ran it looked very much as though she was dodging live minefields on the track as she was continuously baulked and had to look for a way to get through. If she finds the correct way through this afternoon there would be nothing to prevent her from winning.

SANTA CAROLINA, Mike De Kock trained, has very patchy form but must be given something of a sniff on her penultimate run. The 55½ kg on her back will be to her advantage. Is better off at the weights with VINO VERITAS for a 1.25 length beating last time.

VINO VERITAS won her last two. Both wins were with Piere Strydom aboard. Nothing to suggest that she cannot make it the hat trick. Has her work cut out at the weights though.

MARIA THERESA, another Mike De Kock runner, drops in class. She was not disgraced when staying on for fourth to WHATALADY in a stronger race. Don't write off her chances.

1st - TOUCH THE SKY (5); 2nd - ERIN (3); 3rd - SANTA CAROLINA (7); 4th - VINO VERITAS (1); 5th - MARIA THERESA (9)