Clive Robinson
Both Swing Upon A Star and Countdown have been nominated for the Grade 1 Premiers Champion Stakes that runs at the end of the month and so rate the ones to beat in Race 1 at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday, a Maiden Plate over 1600m on the Polytrack.
However, as it is a prep for a race in two weeks – who will go all out?
Trainer Paul Peter may have the answer, he is looking to break the all-time wins record for a season and even though Swing Upon A Star has the Grade 1 race in his sights, his frontrunning style suggests this race could be his for the taking.
Countdown is also highly regarded. He has already tried his luck in a Grade 1 and Grade 2 company but has not tasted success. However, as he is related to legendary miler Legal Eagle, he could be crying out for this trip.
It may be at the lower end of the scale but Geronimo showed he is on the up. He went from being merit rated 53 to 66 after running a cracking second behind highly regarded youngster Formagear. The form line has already produced a win and a second from horses who were well behind.
The hike in ratings may not work in his favour in Race 4 which is a 1200m Maiden Handicap but there doesn’t look to be another Formagear in the race and two dangers, namely Cannatonic and Grandaddy Purple, have drawn wider out.
More of a danger looks to be Rose Velvet who has not done badly against high-class opposition in her hometown.
Others with strong each way claims include All Of Me (Race 5) and The Tinkerman (Race 6) and well-drawn Galway (Race 8).
The last-mentioned runner is quite an interesting horse on the day. Not only is he taking a steep drop in class, but his rating has come down significantly. To add to his chances, he has a 4kg claiming apprentice on his back.
