A Maiden Plate over 1000m opens the 8-race programme on the Turf track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday 6 November 2023 and the race looks a four-cornered contest between (4) El Draque, (6) Victor Rail, (8) Inafix and (9) Teatime Tipple. The speed will be on from the jump and El Draque may just come out on top over his three main rivals but there should not be too much to choose between them at the line. It is significant that Richard Fourie jumps ship from Inafix to Victor Rail while, interestingly, Muzi Yeni has given up the ride on Victor Rail to partner El Draque. Maybe on this occasion Yeni will have the final say. The balance do not add up to much and the race looks set to be dominated by the aforementioned quartet.
The second race is a Maiden Plate over 1400m and (11) Race Against Time could improve sufficiently off the back of a decent debut to take top honours. Being a 4yo with only one start under the belt, Race Against Time has been given plenty of time to mature and Muzi Yeni takes the ride for the Alyson Wright stable. (14) Gorgeous Guy brings smart form into the race but does have the worst of the draw to contend with. (5) Lashlaroo was a beaten favourite over 1700m last time but should do better over this shorter trip. He is having only his fourth career start and is likely to improve further. (4) Nightjar and (8) Champonelle have done enough to suggest they will be competitive in this line-up. Not an easy race!
The third race over 2400m has attracted a field of nine runners and it may to follow the consistent (3) Quantifier. The son of Querari stays well and he could have the measure of (8) Caesura, (7) Twice Golden and (9) Aurora Storm. (4) Rockfall has a claiming apprentice aboard and has the potential to cause an upset. Not an easy race to nail one’s colours to the mast and the pace, or lack thereof, will play a role, but Quantifier should give us a good run for our money.
The fourth race is a Fillies and Mares Handicap over the minimum trip of 1000m and it has a wide-open appearance with chances to many. The Louis Goosen stable has been in terrific form and his charge (6) Arverni Princess has as good chance as any following a decent handicap debut a month ago. (10) Vision Of Will is very quick and in good form but is drawn deep and may have to use up too much gas in the early stages. (9) Certainly has a chance on her best form while (2) Hereinafter could be the lurker in the pack.
The fifth race is an MR80 Handicap over 1000m and (1) Qhawe Lami appeals as one of the better bets on the card. Apprentice Trent Mayhew takes a valuable 4kgs off the back and from pole position, Qhawe Lami will take a power of beating. His main danger could be (4) Shot of Courage who is in good form and has just 52 kgs to shoulder. However, he may be better on the Poly as opposed to the Turf track today. (3) Seattle Ripper makes up the short-list and should go well if not needing the run. He was last seen back in August but is quite well regarded by his connections.
The talented 3yo filly (2) Foreshore must rate the one to beat in the sixth race over 1600m. Her form is solid, and she will be ridden by high-riding Richard Fourie. (8) Sign of Fate ran a cracker in the Beach Beauty Mile when finishing on the heels of Foreshore. Sign of Fate is now 4,5 kgs better off which in theory is more than enough to turn the tables here. (1) Danse Milord is well performed and has the benefit of the inside stall – she will be competitive. (4) Zinikele, (5) Sea Goddess and (8) Lucky Miss have done enough to warrant some respect.
The seventh race is a Fillies’ Handicap over 1400m and the lightly raced (2) Juniper Green could follow up on her maiden victory at the beginning of October. She is a classy, progressive sort with plenty of upside and Juniper Green should go close. (5) Minogue is also a promising young filly, and she is very much “alive” in this field. Her stable mate, Fort J’Adore, has won her last three starts and appears to act equally well on Turf and Poly. (9) Twinklelittlestar is better than her last run suggests and is open to improvement here. (1) Family Favourite and (8) Kitten’s Adventure could surprise.
The eighth and final race is an open handicap over 1400m and there are a number with strong winning claims. (7) Kimball O’Hara makes his local debut for new connections and the form of his last two runs in the Western Cape has been well franked. (4) Nelson Bay won over track and trip last time and could follow up here for the formidable Muscutt/Fourie combination. (2) Sundance Kid is improving steadily following a long absence from the racetrack and he should be seen to good advantage. (3) Intrepid and (8) Wylie Riley are not without winning chances.
Graeme Hawkins
