Racing stays on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville with a low-key meeting but there should be a lot of interest in Contra Fiscum who cantered up when shedding her maiden for her new stable. Duncan Howells’ filly collected a hefty rating for that win but looks good enough to follow up in this company when she lines up in the fifth.
However, War Empress comes from the red-hot Louis Goosen stable and was close-up behind the useful Sabatini last time out and should make a race of it. Chelsea Flower has been knocking at the door of late but this may be a touch short of her best. Kennedy comes off some useful Cape form and showed up well first run back after a lengthy break. She is one to watch.
The card opener sees many making their debut so some caution is needed. Of those that have run, An Air of Pride has shown some improvement in blinkers but was beaten in modest company last time out while Sea Of Tears is a long-time maiden but seldom too far back and has the best of the draw. The balance have shown little. Mascherina and Pretti Victory have smart pedigrees and may prove the best of the debutantes.
In the second, Elusive Belle only got going late last run and finished a creditable second to the short-priced favourite. She will much prefer this trip. Rainbow of Roses made good improvement second time out at long odds and should much prefer this trip. Dymondia has been much improved at her last two, both on the poly and could feature for Darryle Moore.
Moore looks to have a better chance in the opening leg of the Pick 6 with Bosnay who has been making steady progress and was not far back on the poly last time out. The switch back to turf should suit but the Goosen-trained Sea Goddess has been up against stronger at recent outings and has not been far back. She does have a big weight but the drop in class could see her home. Lola Crawford’s mare Gardenia just needed her last outing after a three-month break. She is useful and at best will have a big chance while the big mare Aquae Sulis is over ue another win. She has a handy weight and should feature prominently.
In the fourth, Pongola had no chance behind champion See It Again in the wet last time out but he takes a drop in class and the Michael Roberts stable appears to have turned the corner with a double last Wednesday. In the opposite corner Time Taker does appear to be a little better on the poly but takes a drop in class coupled with a 4kg claimer. Leopard Lady is only a one-time winner but is seldom out of the action at the end of a race. She has been a beaten favourite at her last two and should be thereabouts again.
Dennis Bosch was expecting a little better from Brave Voyager last Wednesday but he was running on late last run when sent over the mile. He could be better suited to this shorter trip. Buster Keaton has been knocking at the door of late and has gone close over course and distance from a tough draw. A repeat could see him home. All The Time is another with consistent recent form. The trip suits and with a 1.5kg allowance he must be a runner. Winter Waves is comfortable over the trip and has a 4kg claimer up to help his chances.
There are plenty in with chances in the eighth so you either nail it down to a couple of likely horses or go wide. Status Quo won well second time of asking for the very much in form Mike Miller stable and looks the pick of the stable runners with Richard Fourie aboard African beat who has been rested. However, Valerias Dream takes a big drop in class and is both course and distance suited so will be a threat. Fort J’Adore is something of a distance specialist and although her last two wins have come on the poly she has won on the turf. Lucy Miss is seldom far back and goes well this trip. The apprentice claim will help her chances.
The last is another tough handicap but Intrepid was close-up when taking on stronger last start although the step down in class sees him carrying joint top weight with Global Secret who comes off a good run of form on the poly and now switches to the turf. Rafiki has been racing well on the poly and the switch to turf may suit while Magwinya had a tough draw two runs back and made good improvement next time out. He is not without a chance.
