The Gr3 Flamboyant Stakes and the Listed Christmas Handicap, both over 1600m, are traditional year-end races at Hollywoodbets Greyville but torrential downpours over the Christmas weekend saw the Boxing Day meeting abandoned. However, Gold Circle have rescheduled the two feature races to New Year’s Day although the long-range weather forecast is none too promising either.
Should racing go ahead, Duncan Howells could be the toast of the afternoon as he holds three competitive runners in the Flamboyant Stakes.
Foreshore ran no sort of race on the poly last time out and a line is best drawn through that effort. She has shown plenty of promise and can make amends but stable companion Oriental Bouquet has the best of the draw and is well weighted. The step up in trip should suit and any market support must be taken seriously.
Mike and Adam Azzie make the trip from the Highveld and saddle Lady Of Power who was totally out-classed in the Highveld features. However, she comes into this race off a smart Pinnacle Stakes showing. She has a big weight but should be thereabouts.
Sean Tarry’s mare Marigold Hotel has also been contesting Highveld features and is on the hunt for more Black Type after finishing a distant second to the unbeaten Ipi Tombe Challenge winner Gimme A Nother last time out.
In the Christmas Handicap Cape Eagle has made steady improvement for Andre Nel and although only a narrow winner last time out the win was a lot easier than the margin would suggest. He ran a cracker behind champion See It Again prior to that and a repeat of that effort should see him home. He is also an entry in the WSB Cape Town Met and a win here will enhance his chances of making the final field. Addabar got a hefty shunt up the handicap after his easy last win and was close-up behind Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory in the Michaelmas Handicap. MJ Odendaal’s gelding is still on the up. Mexican Pete was never in the hunt in the Gr2 Jonsson Workwear Dingaans at Turffontein last run but Frank Robinson reported that the colt did not travel well to the Highveld so a line is best drawn through that run. He has excellent form over course and distance and has a handy galloping weight. He does look progressive so gets the benefit of the doubt. Paul Lafferty’s mare Bella Siccome is 1kg better off at the weights with Cape Eagle at their most recent meeting but she could still find it difficult to turn the tables with more expected to come from Cape Eagle.
Andrew Harrison
