Interbet Preview Of The Sycamore Sprint (G3)
By Mark van Deventer
A closely rated group of 12 fillies and mares contest the
Sycamore Sprint (G3) over 1160m at Turffontein on Saturday.
Off time of Race 7 is 15h40.
Ante post betting makes it a 5/1 the field job indicating how open the race is, as one would expect of a handicap.
After crunching the numbers, five horses make the contender shortlist.
Vanakkam could represent value at 14/1 or better. She goes well for Kabelo Matsunyane, witness a fluent penultimate defeat of
Rafa Bay carrying 59kg’s at the Vaal over 1000m. This was worthy of a speed score of 97, even though her saddle slipped. The daughter of
Vercingetorix now drops down to carry just 52kg’s.
She may be a bit suspect beyond the minimum trip but could give a good sight if not put under too much early pace pressure.
Robbie Sage and Muzi Yeni are a successful partnership, and they campaign
Poblano who has been consistent this year. Her last number of 93 + underestimates her ability as she was slow out by two lengths. If running in the high 90’s, which she hinted at in the
Bauhinia when second to
Green Diamond, then she can win this.
Song Of Myself s/s 99 has won five of 11 starts, thriving since moving to the Eastern Cape and the Smith Stable. The mare has come back strong this year holding off
Danish Dynamite then only going down a length at level weights to
Symphony in White in the
Ladies Pendant a month ago despite a tardy start.
Perfect Miracle comes back on a quick turnaround after racing nine days ago. Her first two starts in August (s/s 87 ++ on debut) and October 2025 were most encouraging, but she has drawn a blank since, when lacking a finishing punch. She is hard to assess but respected on back form, with a light weight and a favorable high draw additional positive factors.
Rachel Wall s/s 98 makes her first start of the year. Laid off after a disappointing
Magnolia try, she beat reopposing
Frozen Fantasy and
Blizzard Snow in October and November 2025 to showcase her talents. If Tony Peter has her ready after 112 days off track, then she can get into the mix.
Those are my top five in order based on a winning par requirement of 98.
Others that come up marginally short on the ratings yet can get into the finish include
Little Ballerina s/s 97 +,
Calantha s/s 97,
Chrome Tourmaline s/s 97 and
Frozen Fantasy s/s 96.
Komati River and
Glastonbury have been downgraded due to suspect recent form.
Sonic Jet s/s 93 fails to meet the required standard.
Bio: Mark van Deventer has been refining his speed figures for thoroughbred racehorses over three decades. A full-time racing journalist since 2013, he’s known for his integrity and imaginative handicapping, adapting the principles of Andrew Beyer’s figures to South African racecourses.
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