Frank Robinson has two smart colts in his yard, both unbeaten at this stage of their careers. Mexican Pete blew them all away in a competitive handicap last Wednesday and Sovereign State will be looking to keep his clean sheet when he faces a tough handicap field in the seventh, an 88 MR Handicap on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.
Sovereign State garnered a hefty 96 rating after his second victory but takes a further step up in class. The form of his last win has not panned out well with Purpleninjaturtle running a dismal race next time out but that was over a mile and the drop back to 1400m may prove more to the liking of Sovereign State at this stage of his career.
However, he does face a number of hard-knockers in a competitive handicap.
Bowie takes a big drop in class and a switch to the poly. That coupled with a 4kg claimer he must come strongly into the picture for Gareth van Zyl while Candice Dawson raids with Mini Coop and Nazare both with consistent Highveld form but the latter only has 52kg to shoulder and Athandiwe Mgudlwa is riding with a lot of confidence.
In the card opener, Highveld raiders hold a strong hand in this event. Johan Janse van Vuuren sends out Babylon who was runner-up at his last two. He makes poly debut and can go one better. Both Paul Matchett and Fannie Bronkhorst have good records when sending runners down for the poly. Gotcha Buzz and Signora Bomba met last time out with the Bronkhorst runner a half-length to the good. They have drawn alongside each other so there should not much between them again.
It took Duncan Howells a little time to acclimatize his runners after his move from Ashburton but he is now a regular visitor to the winner’s box. Keenonkelly has been knocking at the door and was touched off in a tight finish over course and distance last time out. Dennis Bosch has been ominously quiet of late but Le Premiere made a cracking debut at lengthy odds and is likely to start a lot shorter this time around. Sumiko has been well supported in the market at her last two starts, the last time over a furlong further. She gets a 4kg claimer up but does have a tricky draw.
In the third, Mike Miller saddles Style Icon who made major improvement at her second start when going a mile. She started at long odds that day but obviously enjoyed the extra. She also has the best of the draw. Purple Flower has drawn on the other side of the barrier but also showed good improvement last time out. She has had the benefit of having run on the poly but the draw is a concern for Alyson Wright’s filly. Thesupernovastar has caught the eye in two sprints on the turf. This trip should be more to her liking and Kom Naidoo has booked Gavin Lerena for the ride.
Gary Rich resorted to blinkers for You Deserve It last time out and she was caught late. She takes on a lot weaker from a good draw in the fourth and is comfortable on the poly. Mark Dixon has persevered with Shell Seeker and she finally showed her best when running out an easy winner over course and distance. She does look capable of following up. Bronkhorst sends out Cerulean Dancer for her first crack on the poly. She boast some useful Highveld form and if taking to the surface should run a big race.
Alyson Wright sends out her veteran Ibutho in the sixth who has been in cracking good form of late. He loves the poly and with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance he should be competitive again. Ice Kingdom was a touch unlucky last run when caught wide from a deep draw. He loves the poly and with a better draw this time around he must have a strong winning chance. Mr Pigalle has the worst of the draw but he teamed up well with Gavin Lerena last time out over course and distance also from a wide draw so Peter Muscutt will be hoping for better luck in the running.
Chase Maujean has become a regular Highveld visitor and has been aboard Garth Puller’s runner Pascali in his last three starts. The gelding has some consistent form on the poly but looks ready to step up in trip and from a good draw he should make a bold bid in the sixth. National Dream bids for a fourth straight win and has been climbing the handicap ladder. Alyson Wright has elected to book Rachel Venniker to negate some of his recent hike in the ratings where his last two wins were at the expense of Bayview Express who has been a little off colour since. Flag Bearer could be the pick of the Bronkhorst pair although both have plenty of milage on the clock. The switch to the poly could bring out the best although the betting could be a good guide.
The last is a tough handicap but Tribute To You is a lightly raced five-year-old that boasts three wins and no places from nine starts. Alyson Wright has persevered with the entire and he improved with first time blinkers last time out. The switch to the poly could be the key. Purple Operator is over his best course and distance although second best last time out. Rugger Bugger has the widest draw to contend with but on straight form he does have the measure of Tribute To You. Super Fast switches to the poly but has not been far back in two handicaps since shedding his maiden.
Andrew Harrison
