Champion mare Beach Beauty was one of the stars of her generation but the field that lines up in the race named in her honour, the Beach Beauty Mile that heads the card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday, are not likely to emulate her feats – not at this stage anyway.
However, the race has attracted a smart field. Foreshore is unbeaten in three starts for Duncan Howells and the filly got an eight-point shunt up the handicap for her last win, not that it matters much in this set weights race. She is now the second best rated but does have a tricky wide gate to negotiate. Bomber Girl is the best rated runner by one pound but her rating has been earned over sprints. However, Tienie Prinsloo is a smart trainer and if Bomber Girl can carry her form to a mile, she will be a big threat to the selection. Bosnay was not match for Foreshore last time out and Darryl Moore’s charge has been dropping in the ratings but she is useful and has a strong money chance. The same goes for Sign Of Fate. Robbie Hill’s filly enjoyed the jump in trip when shedding her maiden and although taking on stronger she can make an impression.
Howells could have pulled one off one in the card opener where he saddle Maquette. The mare may be carrying 62kg but she is down in class over her best course and distance taking on some recent maiden winners who could find it difficult at the weights. Mamas Baby is back from a break after shedding her maiden at first time of asking over the Scottsville short-cut but she does look progressive. Moore saddles Tara Star who caught all by surprise winning at long odds on debut. The stable may well have thought that she would need the run.
In the second, Vision To Achieve went close on the poly last run with first time blinkers. Paul Gadsby’s filly was not far back in a Gr2 feature last season while still a maiden and the switch to turf could see her home. Jazz Cafe found good market support on debut but finished a distant third. She is sure to come on from that effort and the same goes for The Queen Bee who made a promising debut for Wendy Whitehead and should come on for the experience.
Michael Roberts has two lively contenders in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Plettenberg and Noble Warrior both showed up well on debut with stable jockey Rachel Venniker opting for Noble Warrior but she will be up against Richard Fourie on her stable companion. Silver Savage was backed at long odds last start when tried in blinkers for the first time and Mark Dixon’s runner did improve. The blinkers come off as he steps up over further but he is one to watch.
Elegant Act put in a smart first run for Dean Kannemeyer and is sure to improve when she lines up in the fourth. The same goes for Juniper Green with Gareth van Zyl’s filly second best to Miss Paget in what was a competitive maiden field. Ocean Palace was a beaten favourite at just her second start but that was on the poly and Weiho Marwing’s charge has a tricky draw to negotiate. Elusive Belle also caught the eye on debut but has it all to do from the widest gate and will need some luck in running.
The fifth is a difficult race. Alyson Wright and Muzi Yeni have struck up a good relationship of late and they team up with Imaginable who was much improved in first-time blinkers but he will need to build on that effort. Swift Nicks looks held by Imaginable on their last meeting but Gareth van Zyl’s runner found good market support that day so there may be more to come. Streetshavenoname was a touch disappointing last run after a good previous effort. He goes this trip for the first time but should see it out.
The sixth is another wide open contest but Can’t Catch Me has her third run for Stuart Ferrie and her third run after a break. She has come on nicely, the trip should suit and she rates a strong chance in this line-up. Faizah is lightly raced and was a narrow winner over course and distance last time out. That form has held up well and she can go in again. Leopard Lady has the worst of the draw but is long overdue a second win for MJ Odendaal and Nicholas Patel. She has been remarkably consistent of late and her stable is in form. Mel’s Princess surprised at long odds when winning a sprint but with that run under her girth over what looks to be a more suitable trip, she can go in again.
Gareth van Zyl could hold the key in the last His two runners, Captainofthegreen and Fateful Day have drawn widest of all but both are in good form. Serino Moodley has again been booked for Captainofthegreen who he has ridden in his last two races, both from tricky draws. Stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa stays aboard Fateful Day who takes a healthy drop in class. These two could dominate. Doug Campbell looks to have a decent three-year-old in Ermelo but the gelding has not been out since early June. He does show promise and from pole position must be taken seriously. Veteran Teichman hardly knows how to run a bad race and gets on well with rider Cole Dicken. He has a handy weight and must have a strong money chance again.
