There is a low-key meeting on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday but there should be a few opportunities for punters.
One that strikes is the fourth race on the card which has stacked up into a tricky maiden with many of the runners in with good form. However, Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Perfectly Picked could be the answer to a trick question. She caught the eye when running on late from a bad draw on the poly at her last start. She can certainly make the required improvement and could arrive at some decent odds. But she will not be short of opposition. Stuart Ferrie saddles Accumulate who has improved with each outing and looks primed for this race. Also in the mix is Fairy Trip who has promising form over shorter but is lightly raced and the step up in trip should suit. Likely to make most of the early running is Weststockmarketborse who has been game when trying further and Richard Fourie stays with the ride.
It could pay to watch the market in the card opener with a number of first timers in the race. Of those Peter Muscutt has hopes for Nellie Melba with title-chasing Fourie aboard who could prove more than a match for some otherwise modest performers. Of those that have run, Jane’s Vision ran well below par when trying the poly last time out. She was close-up at her previous two starts and back on turf she can make amends. Head Girl makes her local debut. She was lightly raced in the Cape and the switch in venues could see her home
The Cape Town-based Fourie has been well supported by KZN trainers and he has another strong winning chance aboard Pirate Prince for Alyson Wright as he takes over from title-chasing rival Muzi Yeni who is not riding at this meeting. Pirate Prince has been touched off at his last two in the soft but is both course and distance suited and should make another bold bid. The dangers could be the MJ Odendaal pair of Addabar and Danse Milord. Addabar has shot up in the handicap after beating Pirate Prince two runs back, the latter returning the favour next time out. He looks held by Pirate Prince on that form. Danse Milord had her consistency rewarded last run. She steps up in trip and can follow up. Robbie Hill sends out Paris Pike who needed his last run over a distance too short. He has done well this trip and is one to keep an eye on.
Flag Man and Power Star look the principal contenders in the third, a modest maiden field. Flag Man has shown up well in both starts and was a close-up second last time out. He should go one better in this line-up. Power Star is struggling to shed his maiden but has not been far back at recent outings. The extra furlong and switch to turf could suit.
Thunder Masala was touched off by Brave Voyager when last they met and is now 2.5kg better off at the weights which should be enough to turn the tables in the fifth. However, Brave Voyager has been sprinting at his last two and he should be fully fit for the step up in trip. Porfirio took time to get going but is in good form of late. He has won over the distance and can continue his good form.
Princess Ozma could be a value bet in the sixth. She has been disappointing to date for a number of stables but showed a sign of a form return when runner-up last time out. She is down in class and can go one better. If Princess Ozma fails to run up to expectations, then things get difficult. Quanabi has a wide draw to contend with but her recent form has been franked and with a 4kg claimer up, she can go close. Poursomesugaronme has been threatening for some time now. She was second best when favourite last time out but the switch to turf could see her home while Can’t Catch Me has been improving steadily and looks primed for this event.
In the seventh, Stanley Park has improved in blinkers. He steps up over an extra furlong but should see it out. Diani has been consistent and showed up well from a tough draw last time out. This seems to be his best trip. Music Of Life is overdue his second win and has not been out of the money in his last five outings.
The last is a lowly fillies and mares handicap, often a punter’s nightmare. Arverni Princess has a wide draw but comes from the very much in form Louis Goosen stable. She steps up in trip but should see it out. Bitcoin Baby is seldom far back and takes a drop in the handicap. She should feature prominently. Mission Rocks took on stronger last run and is back in more suitable company. She also has a 4kg claimer up to help her although all her recent form has been on the poly. Cinnamon Blush was a beaten favourite last run but is better than that and Fourie stays with the ride which is a positive.
