It’s bread-and-butter on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday but there is plenty to look forward to.
The season is still in its infancy but the race for the national jockey’s title between Richard Fourie and Muzi Yeni is already red-hot with Yeni marginally ahead. The two have a number of competitive rides and they face off again in the fifth, a lowly 71 MR Handicap.
Fourie is on Dontshootthebarman for Clinton Binda and Yeni is aboard Princekresh for Wayne Badenhorst. The two geldings met at the same weights over the same trip last time out where they were separated by a neck, Fourie just ahead. These to look the principal contenders and luck in running is what could separate them. War Mistress takes on males but has been in good form at her last three outings. She is lightly raced and goes well on the poly. Zabadak was a recent maiden winner over course and distance when dropped in trip and that form has since been franked although it was in maiden company.
Stuart Ferrie could start the afternoon on a winning not when he saddles Fire Tonic in the card opener. The daughter of Wylie Hall is lightly raced and looks the pick of Stuart Ferrie’s two runners. He has been improving slowly and the drop back in trip should suit. Amber Sky has been rested but ran a fair race behind the promising Foreshore last time out. She has the best of the draw and can feature prominently for Nathan Kotzen. Scampton has had two fair runs for her new stable and makes her poly debut. However, she has the worst of the draw.
The second is a bit of a leap of faith as Lashlaroo has shown up well in two sprints where he was well supported in the market. Frank Robinson steps him up in trip and if he stays the distance, he could be the horse to beat. Josephine’s Pride does stay the trip although a little disappointing last time out. Richard Fourie gets the leg up from Paul Lafferty and a repeat of his penultimate start should see him go close. Hell’s Bells has been improving with each run and his best recent effort was on the poly last time out while King’s Island was much improved last run when tried in blinkers and a tongue-tie and the step up in trip should suit
The third is a tricky is a handicap but Rodriquez comes from an in form stable and has been in cracking form for Louis Goosen of late. However, he does have top weight and is 5kg worse off with Action Stations for less than a length beating if one takes into account the 4kg apprentice claim. Experience could nullify the claim so one has to take your chances. Pascali goes well on the poly and stays the trip. He should be concerned in the finish. Tom’s Act returns from a lengthy break but had good form before that. Doug Campbell reports that his charge is in a good space so he cannot be ignored.
Duncan Howells has two runners of which Straight Up could prove the pick. He got a three-pound raise in the handicap for his last win but he has been consistent and can follow up. Syx Hotfix was a length back to Straight Up when last they met but the latter gets a 4kg claimer up in apprentice James Lihaba so that form could be confirmed. Also in the mix is Warrior Bling who beat Straight Up two runs back but the roles were reversed when they met last time out. The trio are drawn alongside each other so it will be an intriguing contest. Crazy Blues got a six-pound raise for his last win which could prove a tough hurdle while El Rey Viene has come down in the ratings and now looks competitive.
Medal Of Freedom could prove to be one of the better bets after taking on much stronger last start while racing over further and was not far back to Straight Up. He drops in trip with first time blinkers and goes well on the poly. Winter Waves switches to the poly and was a beaten favourite last run although not strongly supported. He is never far back and is looking for his sixth career win. Wendy Whitehead saddled a double last Wednesday for the same owners as Sun Dance who looks to be in with a strong winning chance. His best recent effort was over course and distance and last time out had the worst of the draw on the turf. He has another tricky draw to contend with but the stable is hot.
Louis Goosen’s stable has turned the corner and Drive By looks a live contender in the seventh. She goes well on the poly and was touched off last time out. She has a handy galloping weight and should go close in this field. Shaken Not Stirred is a veteran over course and distance and was staying on strongly last time out. Muzi Yeni gets the leg up, replacing the apprentice. Global Secret bids for a hat-trick for Paul Lafferty who has kept faith with apprentice Nirvan Nastill. The mare loves the poly and has the best of the draw. Fashionigma is never too far back but is battling for her second win. Fourie has ridden her at her last two so should now know what the mare is capable of
Im The Buzz is Tienie Prinsloo’s only runner on the day and the filly has shown up well at her last two. She may have found her last start a touch out of her compass and the drop to a mile on the poly should suit. English Primrose took on stronger over further last run but does seem better over this shorter trip. Expect a big effort. Shell Seeker has been disappointing in her career to date but has shown some recent improvement. Her last win was over course and distance and if she puts it in, she will be dangerous.
