PREVIEW:CLAIRWOOD - 26 JANUARY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 17h00 Wednesday 25 January 2012.

To check for the latest scratchings go to www.sahorseracing.co.za and then click on "public" Find the race meeting and then press the number "1". Finally find "Card Changes" and then click on that.

RACE 1:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1200m Straight

REIGN AS KINGS (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech) made an excellent debut last time when well supported in the betting. Came second by the proverbial whisker that day. The obvious one to beat. LIONIZE (Dennis Drier/Stuart Randolph) makes his debut. Watch the betting. ROMAN LEGION is another to make his debut and again the betting could be your best guide. ROYAL RAJAH makes his debut. Watch the betting. KINGOFMOUNTAIN made a dull debut. May improve.

SELECTIONS: 1st - REIGN AS KINGS ** (4); 2nd - LIONIZE (3); 3rd -  ROMAN LEGION (5); 4th - ROYAL RAJAH (6); 5th - KINGOFMOUNTAIN (1)

RACE 2:Maiden Plate 1000m Straight

SPECIAL HENNY has improved in his last three starts. Consider in this field. LAURENCE OF LENASIA improved by over ten lengths last time. Chance on that improvement. Anton Marcus has the ride. Watch the betting on the two first timers and stable companions, BUTLER YEATS (Dennis Drier/Alec Forbes) and SOUL MATE (Stuart Randolph). SHARK ATTACK needs to repeat earlier form. Anthony Delpech rides.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SPECIAL HENNY * (3); 2nd - LAURENCE OF LENASIA (2); 3rd - BUTLER YEATS (7); 4th - SOUL MATE (10); 5th - SHARK ATTACK (1)

RACE 3:Graduation Plate 1000m Straight

SINGING LORD has won his last two. This comes after a good debut the run before. Looks to be above average and he should be the one to follow. Goes for the hat trick. Anton Marcus rides. CASH LORD (Dennis Drier/Alec Forbes) is holding form and is very well suited to this distance and track. All wins and places this distance. STUNNING GUY has only won once in twenty eight starts but has been showing encouraging signs of improvement. FIRE CURTAIN (Gavin Van Zyl/Raymond Danielson) ran a good post maiden last time. Has shown encouraging signs of late. BLONDE AMBITION could be returning to form.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SINGING LORD * (2); 2nd - CASH LORD (1); 3rd - STUNNING GUY (5); 4th - FIRE CURTAIN (4); 5th - BLONDE AMBITION (8)

RACE 4:African Holly Hcp (MR) (R89 500) 1000m Straight

TETELESTAI did not show in the Grade 3 Labelo Sprint at Turffontein last time. His form in KZN has been very good and he has won and placed on most of his visits to this C & D. Shows good pace and should go close. OCCHI DI LUPO has won his last four starts, all over the distance of which one was this C & D. Will be running on. Felix Coetzee rides for Dennis Bosch. MR MICKEY MOUSE faded over the distance last time. Chance on earlier form. All wins have been over the distance. ORIENTAL SPIRIT (Dennis Drier/Alec Forbes) usually races handy. Place chance. ANTIOUS will be running on. Has won his last three starts. May find this too short.

SELECTIONS: 1st - TETELESTAI * (1); 2nd - OCCHI DI LUPO (6); 3rd - MR MICKEY MOUSE (3); 4th - ORIENTAL SPIRIT (4); 5th - ANTIOUS (2)

RACE 5:Maiden Plate 1600m Bend

SUGARFORMYHONEY has not shown in his last two starts. Respect back at this C & D where he has placed second on four occasions from four starts this C & D. Consider on that form. GIDA has shown good improvement in his last two starts. Anton Marcus has the ride. BENJAMIN BRUSH has also shown improvement in his last few runs. Has a good shout in this field. GENEROUS GENT is improving and must also be a factor with Felix Coetzee riding. DESERT RAPTOR (Alec Laird) improved by seven lengths in his second start last time. Consider on that improvement.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SUGARFORMYHONEY * (1); 2nd - GIDA (4); 3rd - BENJAMIN BRUSH (5); 4th - GENEROUS GENT (12); 5th - DESERT RAPTOR (11)

RACE 6:MR 93 Hcp 1450m Bend

MALIYAKHE has been facing some good sorts in this past year. On form he should go close in this field. Has run well over similar distances. Anton Marcus rides for Yogas Govender. TOP MARK (Dennis Drier/Alec Forbes) has been showing good improvement and must have a shout. CASTLE ROSS has not won in a while but is never too far back. WILD TYPE ran on to win over 1400m last time. Rates a chance on that run. KNYSNA FOREST (Alec Laird) should be considered on an improved latest effort.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MALIYAKHE * (1); 2nd - TOP MARK (5); 3rd - CASTLE ROSS (6); 4th - WILD TYPE (3); 5th - KNYSNA FOREST (7)

RACE 7:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1450m Bend

GEORGIA ON MY MIND has some fair form. Consider with Anton Marcus aboard for the first time this afternoon. IRRESISTIBLE YOU has improved in her last three starts. has been running on and should challenge. SHEIKINA has shown some improvement in her last two starts. watch the betting on the well bred, MISS KITTY. Stable companion, REIGNING QUEEN has improved in her last two starts. Small chance of winning.

SELECTIONS: 1st - GEORGIA ON MY MIND * (3); 2nd - IRRESISTIBLE YOU (1); 3rd - SHEIKINA (5); 4th - MISS KITTY (9); 5th - REIGNING QUEEN (7)

RACE 8:MR 76 Hcp 1450m Bend

NORTHERN EMPEROR (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) made a winning debut last time. He won easily that day and should go on to win a few more. Consider again. CHARRO NEGRO (Joey Ramsden) ran his worst race last time. Chance on previous form which was good. JACK HOBBS (Dean Kannemeyer/Muzi Yeni) won under lights at Greyville last time when running on. Has improved since racing in KZN. Chance in this field. AUTO PILOT (Charles Laird/Anthony Delpech) runs best at this track. Two most recent starts have been disappointing. YURAKING is never far back and was running on last time. Obvious danger.

SELECTIONS: 1st - NORTHERN EMPEROR * (9); 2nd - CHARRO NEGRO (8); 3rd - JACK HOBBS (2); 4th - AUTO PILOT (5); 5th - YURAKING (4)


BEST BET:        RACE 1 - NUMBER 4 REIGN AS KINGS

VALUE BET:    RACE 5 - NUMBER 1 SUGARFORMYHONEY

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 2 - 8