Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday starting with the first, a five-furlong maiden. Jane’s Vision has come on nicely for Michael Roberts and was narrowly beaten last start when favourite. She can make amends but Kom Naidoo’s runner Kian’s Pride was also close-up in that race and followed up with a good second to the smart Mia’s Athena. She has had the benefit of a poly outing which is in her favour. Weichong Marwing had a winner on the poly last Wednesday and Regina Bellisima put in her best recent effort on this surface. She has improved in blinkers and can make a race of it. Vision To Achieve got a hefty merit rating after finishing six lengths back in a Gr2 and the switch to the poly could see her justify that rating.
Naidoo has another strong chance in the second where he saddles Hereinafter. She has put in two smart sprints for Naidoo who is back hands-on after illness. She was narrowly beaten over course and distance at her penultimate start and that form has since been franked. Flying The Stars was given stipes permission to scratch from Sunday’s meeting in favour of this race where she has drawn favourably and goes well on the poly. Vision Of Will may just have been in need of her last run when second over course and distance and can build on that effort. Poppy Of Bayeux has been knocking at the door and is over what looks to be her best trip.
In the third, Garth Puller has set Addiena against males but she likes to roll from the jump and loves the poly. With a 4kg claimer up she could go all the way. Iron Bark has won his last three for Gareth van Zyl and is in a good space but gets inexperienced apprentice Nirvan Nastili in the irons who is looks for his first winner so this could be a bit of a gamble. Stable companion Music Of Life has first choice jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard and the gelding was narrowly beaten on the poly in a feature two runs back. Louis Goosen saddles Donquerari who has come to hand of late and won well in a tricky handicap last time out. He has the best of the draw.
Muzi Yeni is having a good run for Alyson Wright and they team up with Eventador in the fourth. The gelding goes very well on the poly and his recent poor efforts have both been on the turf. Riccardo was a comfortable winner of his last start for Dennis Bosch and although he is up in class, he does have a preference for the poly. Radiccio has not been out since May but Garth Puller’s charge is lightly raced and obviously has a few issues. He showed up well first run out of the maidens and if not in need of the run should go close. Warrior Bling was not far back to stronger last time out and his best form is on the poly.
The fifth is a wide open handicap where Banha Bridge makes the trip from the Highveld for Candice Dawson and the switch to poly could bring out the best in the seven-year-old. He goes well this trip. The Wright-trained Caesura finally had his consistency rewarded last run going 2400m on the turf last time out. He goes equally as well on the poly and with a 4kg claimer aboard he must have a strong chance again. Shoefella faced much stronger on the turf last run from a tricky draw. Peter Muscutt has booked Richard Fourie for his charge who ran a cracking race first up out of the maidens and a repeat will see him close. Time Taker improved at his last two when switched to the poly. He has a handy weight and must have a strong winning chance.
Darryl Moore thought Bosnay good enough to take on feature company after her maiden win and was not disgraced behind the likes of Mrs Geriatrix. If anywhere near her best she is the one to beat in the sixth. Foreshore won well first time out for Duncan Howells, following up on her maiden win. She makes her poly debut but has come to hand nicely and looks the biggest threat to the selection. Theappleofmyeye finished behind Bosnay when meeting in the maidens and has since come on with each outing. She was a recent maiden winner but the stable is in form. Tony Rivalland has again teamed up with Richard Fourie for Rain Wear. The consistent mare is looking for her sixth win but did get a five-point penalty for her last success which could dampen her winning chances.
Rivalland sends out Prince Of Taranto in the next and the gelding is seldom out of the money. His two best recent efforts have been on the poly. He has drawn a touch wide but Muzi Yeni is in such good form of late that the draw may not be a factor. Captain Of Grit was a beaten favourite on the Highveld last run but has been consistent. The switch to the poly could bring out the best while the grey Voldemort is seldom far back. He went close last run and is at home on the poly with a handy galloping weight. William Rufus appears to be the pick of the Dean Kannemeyer pair with stable rider Craig Zackey aboard. He was well beaten by Valdemort when last they met but he did have the worst of the draw that day and has pulled gate one this time around.
In the last, Justfortheepenny was due for retirement after his last start but he had no luck in the running behind Brave Voyager and has been giving another opportunity to retire on a winning note. He is 1.5kg better off with Brave Voyager and with some luck in the running he can turn the tables. Porfirio has won his last two for Kom Naidoo and only got a three-point increase for his last victory. He should have the measure of many of his rivals once again. Vengeance Forever has the benefit of the best draw and is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip and will be competitive.
