Shorter distance will be a boost for Umfula

Race 1 (1,000m)

(5) GODRIC GRYFFINDOR made a great debut, only beaten just over four lengths by Champagne Castle on Dec 13. With natural improvement expected, this colt should go very close to winning.

(1) VERCICAT stayed on well for fourth behind Catwalk King on debut, finishing just over five lengths behind the winner. He should improve a lot, watch him closely.

(11) OMKHULU BOSS found some betting support on debut, but was a touch disappointing behind Champagne Castle on Dec 13. If he can improve from that performance, he could sneak into the places.

(2) ST HARRY and (13) NAVASNINE are well-bred first timers, keep watching the market.

Race 2 (1,000m)

(11) TRAILFINDER ran a cracking second on debut behind Digby on Dec 3. The form of that race has worked out well, he will improve tremendously going into his second start.

(14) PANJANDRUM ran a good race for second behind her stable companion (Whirlwind) on Dec 17. She is honest and will be right there in the finish.

(10) TURBULENT ran a much better race on Dec 21, when second in a driving finish behind Influence. If he can bring that run to the track, he will go close.

(7) FORT YUKON is much better than his recent run behind Give It Laldy. He will be just off the speed early, and will do some good work late.

Race 3 (1,200m)

(5) SEVEN NO TRUMP ran a good race for fourth behind Kubu on Dec 17. The drop in trip is key for this filly. Big winning chance.

(10) HAZEL GREEN never runs a bad race. She stayed on for second to Wyze Declaration on Dec 17. She will be right there in the finish.

(1) SWIFT SERENITY ran a lovely race for second behind Black Erika on Dec 10. She certainly enjoys the sprinting trips. Place chance.

(11) WINTER IN AUCKLAND has some fair form. She stayed on nicely for fourth in the same race as Swift Serenity last time. Can sneak into the quartet late.

Race 4 (1,400m)

(5) SUGAR DADDY caught the eye late for second behind Give It Laldy on Dec 6. He should love the step-up in trip to 1,400m. From a neat draw, he will have a serious winning chance.

(2) GALLIC KING ran a great second to Rockanrollin on Dec 13. He has a big winning chance now that he steps up in trip to 1,400m.

(14) PRAIRIE DAWN had absolutely no luck in running last time when he flew home late to finish second to Sommerstern on Dec 3. If he gets some luck in running from a bad draw, he could be hard to beat in this field.

(11) I AM SAM disappointed in his second start on Dec 21. Ignore that run. He is a big individual with a big action and should improve now that he steps up in trip.

Race 5 (1,800m)

(2) WOMAN IN GOLD ran a lovely second to La Patrona on Dec 17. She was touched off in a close finish. Hard to beat.

(11) LOUI’S STAR finished strongly for second to Cassandra on Dec 10. Has drawn wide, which will make it tough for her, but she will be powering home late.

(10) UP IN FLAMES never runs a bad race. She stayed on well for third to La Patrona on Dec 17. If she gets some luck in running from a tricky draw, she will be competitive.

(3) HOMING PIGEON ran a nice race for third to Her World on Dec 10. She steps up in trip again, and she gets the blinkers fitted. She will run a big race.

Race 6 (1,800m)

(5) YAMAZAKI ran on for a great third to Mente Et Manu on Dec 13. He was a long way back early, and he really powered home late to finish just over one length off. He should love the step-up in trip to 1,800m, and will be hard to beat.

(6) WEHAVEASITUATION won impressively on Dec 17. Jockey Andrew Fortune gets a good tune out of this mare. She will be storming home late.

(7) SIGNOR DANTE won a terrific race on Dec 6. He could be anything. If he brings that last performance to the track again, he can win again.

(10) ARBITRATION is extremely honest, he stayed on well for fourth behind Noble Hero on Dec 21. Even with a big weight on his back, he will be switched off early, and will be running home strongly late.

Race 7 (1,800m)

(7) UMFULA ran a fair fifth in the Cape Summer Stayers Handicap on Dec 6, beaten just under five lengths by Holding Thumbs. The drop in trip is key. At his best, he can definitely win.

(4) TENPENNY ran a closing second to Major Master on Dec 3. He has lots of ability. The step-up in trip to 1,800m will be no problem at all.

(1) LANDOFTHERISINGSUN finished just under eight lengths behind Regulation in the Grade 3 Peninsula Handicap on Dec 13. On his best form, he will be among the places from a good draw.

(10) BETTER MAN ran a lovely race in the Grade 2 Cape Punters Cup on Nov 22. He finished just under three lengths behind Good For You. If he can overcome his tricky draw, he will be right there in the finish.

Race 8 (1,200m)

(9) WORLDLY stormed home for third to Demanding Dave on Dec 10. With some cover early, he will be hard to beat.

(6) HIAWATHA GOLDBERG won a good race on Dec 21. With no weight on his back, he should be competitive in this field.

(4) RHYDIAN ran a fair race behind Pomp It Up on Nov 22, beaten just over three lengths in a competitive race. He will be just off the speed and will run on strongly late.

(3) SHIFTING PATH will need to improve a few lengths to win a race like this, but he has dropped quite a bit in the ratings. He could sneak into the places at a big price.

Race 9 (1,000m)

(3) MARITZBURG MEMORY caught the eye late for fourth behind Shesgotclass on Dec 21. The 1,000m trip is on the short side, but she will be switched off early, and attack the line hard late.

(9) DAME OF TRIX stayed on nicely for third behind Catch A Penny on Dec 6. She is honest and she will go close to winning again.

(1) PEACE OF MIND finished just over five lengths behind Palace Gift on Dec 24. She is lightning-fast. With no weight on her back, she will be hard to fetch late.

(4) OCTOBER FEST was touched off in a close finish behind Dame Of Trix on Nov 15. She will stalk the speed early, and she will be running on strongly late. Each-way chance.