How good is Shoot The Rapids is the big question punters will be asking when Frank Robinson’s colt lines up in the sixth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Wednesday.
A son of boom sire Erupt caught the eye on debut when running on late for second and then following up with a runaway maiden win when stepped up to 2200m. He won like a horse with a future and is up against mostly older runners with exposed form.
However, if he does not run up to expectations, then things get tricky. Veteran galloper Banzai Pipeline has been in good form for Garth Puller and loves the synthetic surface. He has been close-up in his last four starts on the surface including a win. Josephine’s Pride was a little costly to follow before shedding his maiden but a switch to the poly seemed to do the trick and he was not far back in his post maiden effort. Shoefella has been dropping in the ratings and has the best of the draw.
The seventh is another open handicap. Captain Who had much against him at his last start, soft ground from a wide draw on the turf. His best recent form has been on the poly and from a good draw he should improve on that last showing. William Rufus returns from a short break and although he has top weight, he has some fair form to stronger. If near his best he will have a big chance. Word from the Dean Kannemeyer yard is ‘include in all exotics’. Buoyant Knight shed his maiden at second time of asking and that form has proven to be fairly solid. The switch to the poly should suit and he comes from the much inform Mike Miller stable. Purple Operator is back on his favourite surface. He is never far back and should run another honest race.
The fifth is another tricky handicap but Garth puller has a strong hand with Wonderful and Petit Verdot. Wonderful was a comfortable maiden winner at third time of asking when stepped up in trip on her poly debut. She looks progressive and can follow up. Stable companion Petit Verdot goes well over course and distance and has the benefit of a pole position draw. Louis Goosen also has a brace of runners. Sea Goddess won well on the turf last run with Fourie up and he stays with the ride. Crazy Blues has useful form on the poly and that could be the difference between the two.
The start of the Pick 6 is a modest maiden but Joan The Wad has been improving all the time. She goes well on the poly and has a strong chance in this line-up. Biggest danger could be Madame Popadour who who has been a beaten favourite at her last three starts. She comes off a rest but should be thereabouts again. Summer Song may just have needed her last start. She has been improving slowly and the switch to the poly could bring out the best.
Predator’s Feast is the highest rated runner in the fourth. Yadev Singh’s filly has been up against much stronger at recent outings. She takes a big drop in class here and Richard Fourie will be aboard. Highveld-based trainer Heather Adamson is a rare visitor to KZN and sends out Gimme The Flame in this weak handicap. The filly was much improved last run over the distance and the switch to the poly is most probably why she is visiting. Shaken Not Stirred is always game and a solid front runner. She will test the visitor even though she has drawn widest.
In the final leg of the Pick 6, Giambattista has been consistent and dropping in the ratings. He is both course and distance suited. Global Secret has the best of the draw and loves this course and distance. With a 4kg claimer up he should run a big race. Brave Voyager has drawn wide and did not feature from a wide draw in the soft last time out. He can do better back on the poly. Quiz Master has the widest draw but loves this surface. He stays the trip well and with some luck in running could pull this off.
In the card opener, Victor Rail was disappointing on the turf last run after a string of good efforts on the poly. Back on his favourite surface he can get it right. Teatime Tipple was due to run over the weekend where weather was a concern. He is long overdue and does go well on the poly. Plinian has yet to finish out of the money in four starts. Still improving and should go close again. Triple T makes his local debut after a long break. Stable is concerned that he may not have had enough work as a result of all the wet weather.
Future Saint can get the PA off to a solid start even though he has drawn a touch wide. He made good improvement second time out on his poly debut and can go one better. Kumemori was a close-up fourth last time out on the turf. First time blinkers and a switch to the poly could suit. Helsinki has the worst of the draw but goes well on the poly and was narrowly beaten last time out.
