Punters face an interesting card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday with a couple of intriguing handicaps and a competitive Pinnacle Stakes sprint.
The Ethekwini Municipality Pinnacle Stakes, a 1000m dash, has attracted some quick gallopers with plenty in with chances. However, Michael Roberts appears to have picked the right race for Good Traveller. The gelding got a hefty rating early in his career and has been battling ever since but he is down from 118 to 104 for Sunday’s race, not that the ratings count in this set weights event although he is relatively well in. With Rachel Venniker’s allowance and a close-up third last run he must have a strong chance. Kom Naidoo’s stable has turned the corner and the feisty bay Faustino has always been a stable favourite. After a spell on the Highveld, the gelding is showing signs of his best form and with 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies aboard he could go all the way. Mike Moroney will be watching Pray For Rain from his home in Ireland and Carl Hewitson’s runner is well weighted. He is back over the course and distance of his last win. Mike Miller sends out Rulership who was a close-up second last time out but at the weights could be hard pressed to turn the tables on Pray For Rain given their last meeting.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Deryl Daniels stays aboard Jam for Glen Kotzen. The filly found some market support last time out and now gets first-time blinkers as she switches to the turf. She could make the required improvement. Miss Paget has a wide draw and was an easy recent maiden winner last time out. Alyson Wright has her horses in a good space at present and along with Muzi Yeni the filly can go in again. Miss Gibson has been runner-up at her last two for Yogas Govender but takes a rise in class. However, she has bottom weight and a good draw that will be in her favour. Paul Lafferty was unhappy with the ride on Devils And Dust last time out but the apprentice was caught out wide and getting a mouthful from the senior on his inside. She was in a tough field and could spring a surprise.
In the fourth, El Dante is smart on his day and MJ Odendaal has booked top heavyweight rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe for the ride, his only mount on the day. The gelding was in need of his last sprint, a distance short of his best and from the best of the draw he should go close. Weichong Marwing saddles Purpleninjaturtle who has the widest draw and was a touch disappointing last run when not getting onto terms with most of his rivals. He ran a cracker at his previous start behind the unbeaten Sovereign State so may be worth another chance. Trustova made a promising seasonal debut for Peter Muscutt who has booked Richard Fourie for the ride. The gelding is lightly raced and can make the required improvement.
In the last, Sundance Kid is an interesting entry. He has the widest draw but Wendy Whitehead’s gelding contested features early in his career. This is his third run back after a lengthy break and he has improved with each outing. He should strip at his peak and could prove a little too classy for this field. Should he not run up to expectations, Lake Como showed up well first run back from a lengthy break and Doug Campbell’s yard is in form and he will be looking for a big effort. Whitehead has a second string to her bow in Senor Garcia who has a plum draw and has been improving steadily since a break. He cannot be left out of any exotics.
After a spell in the wilderness while his horses acclimatised to the move from Ashburton to Summerveld, Duncan Howells is now a regular visitor to the winner’s enclosure. He could have a double with Papa C and Mia’s Athena.
Papa C has come good for Howells at recent starts and can go one better. He stays well and the apprentice has been replaced by experienced Sean Veal. Alyson Wright has backed up Dance To The Music in a week after finishing a promising third last time out. His last win was over course and distance and the gelding should strip at his peak. Twice Golden was narrowly beaten on this course last time out but not an easy horse to catch right. He takes a drop in class and Garth Puller has replaced the apprentice with Richard Fourie. Louis Gooden is confident that Cyber Time will win sooner rather than later as the gelding has not been far off at recent outings. Off a light weight he could be the surprise package.
Howells has always rated Mia’s Athena but the filly has had her issues. They appear to now be behind her as she was a comfortable maiden winner last time out. She faces a stiff test but does look capable. Bonne Bouche has dropped in the ratings and was close-up to the speedy Red Roses Too last time out. She switches back to the turf but has a handy weight. Kom Naidoo saddles Aisling who showed good pace before fading late over a furlong further last time out. She is better suited to this trip and the 4kg claimer stays aboard. The blinkers did not have the desired effect on Acasia’s Blossom last run and Gooden has removed them. She does have another wide draw to contend with but apprentice Trent Mayhew does take 4kg off her back.
