Dean Kannemeyer is seldom short of a string of decent horses and although Fireflare may not have cracked the nod to join his Cape feature season string, the son of Futura has shown signs of turning into a decent stayer under KZN assistant Nicolette Roscoe.
Fireflare has top weight in a maiden handicap in an eight-race card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Monday. The gelding has been showing signs of having a touch of class and turning into a useful performer for Kannemeyer. He rates the one to beat in this maiden handicap. Glen Kotzen sends out Scampton who has only been out of the money once in seven outings. Richard Fourie rides and he could be the biggest threat to the selection. Stuart Ferrie sends out King’s Island who has improved in blinkers and has done well on the poly while Lucky Murphy could be the surprise package as he has been improving over sprints and the jump in trip should suit. He is one to watch in the market.
It could pay to get in early in the fixed race race with the later handicaps looking tricky.
In the card opener, Dressedtothenines has been much improved in blinkers. She goes well this course and distance and should go close to winning. Quentasia will be a danger. She has also done well over this course and distance and Darryl Moore has declared first time blinkers from the best of the draw. Head Girl makes her poly debut for Andre Nel. She has been close-up at her last two on the turf and could do better on the synthetic surface.
Shot Of Courage is in good form for Tim Pretorius and goes well for apprentice James Lihaba. He was touched off last run and is down in class. He can go one better in the second. War Empress takes on males but loves this trip. She is seldom out of the money and should go close. Anotherdayinafrica has a handy galloping weight and has not been far back at recent outings.
Chichicastenango made promising improvement for Gareth van Zyl at just her second start as she was drawn wide last time out and the step up in trip should suit. Wonderful has shown some promise in two starts in the soft on the turf and the switch to poly could see her make further improvement. Dymondia has been knocking at the door and her two best recent efforts have been on the poly. She gets cheek pieces and should be involved in the finish.
Paul Lafferty sends out Action Stations in a tricky handicap but the gelding has done well on the poly over the distance and with a 4kg claimer up he will have a few supporters. Justfortheepenny keeps pounding away and is seldom far behind and loves the poly. Lucretius has been up against much stronger at recent outings and also goes well on the poly. With a 1.5kg allowance courtesy of apprentice Rachel Venniker, who recently rode her 200th winner, he must be in with a chance. Master Tobe is up in class but jockey Craig Zackey is in unstoppable form of late and the addition of blinkers looks to have breathed new life into the seven-year-old. The sixth is a difficult handicap but Izapha is one-for-one on the poly and his turf form is not bad either. He goes well this trip. Rodriguez took on much stronger last outing even though he had a light weight. His last win was on the poly and he stays the trip well. Banzai Pipeline won well last run and loves the poly. Richard Fourie stays with the ride for Garth Puller which is always a good sign.
A Time To Flower has the worst of the draw in the seventh but has been improving with every outing. She has a handy weight and with some luck in running will be right there. Devils And Dust is down in class and also in the handicap. She can make a race of it along with Vermacilli who takes a big drop in the ratings and has been showing steady recent improvement.
In the last, another tricky handicap, Ingakara been close-up in her last two on the poly. She is improved in blinkers and has a light weight which could see her home. Just Virginia was close-up last run on the poly although over further. This stable never one to ignore. Thesupernovastar the highest rated runner after just a maiden win but has a 4kg claimer aboard which will help her cause.
