Heavy rains have been causing havoc in Durban resulting in the meeting scheduled for last Wednesday being abandoned. To compensate, Gold Circle have scheduled a rare Monday race meeting on the Hollywoodbets Poly for trainers to play catch-up for their owners.
One of the better bets on the card could come in the sixth where the Gareth van Zyl-trained Bowie could oblige. He has been up against stronger including smart sprinter/miler William Robertson at recent outings. He has the best of the draw, goes well on the poly and rates the one to beat. Alyson Wright’s grey Voldemort ran into serious interference last time out behind stable companion Ibutho and that run is best ignored. He did appear to be running on when ‘taken out’ and can do better here. He faces Ibutho again who was a very easy winner over course and distance last time out. He took a six-point hit in the handicap but a repeat should see him competitive. Mike Miller looks to have a progressive gelding in Romance In Rome. He returns from a break and if not short of a run he will make his presence felt.
A half-hour later, Frank Robinson saddles his mare Love Bomb who was decidedly unlucky behind War Empress nearly a fortnight back as she never got a clear run. She was finishing strongly and she should me more at home over this trip. She faces the progressive Princess Arlowe who was a comfortable winner last run. However, she got an eight-point raise in the handicap but Muzi Yeni stays with Glen Kotzen’s filly. Morgan La Fay has a big weight but she has been consistent and her last two wins have been over course and distance while Sleek As Silk has been close-up in her recent starts. Her last win was on the poly and she has smart form over this trip.
In the card opener is a maiden handicap where Helsinki is way better than his last run. Paul Lafferty’s runner has a big weight in spite of his 4kg claimer but goes well on the poly. Duncan Howells saddles Irish Luck who was a little unlucky last run over a mile. His best showing has been over this trip and first time blinkers can see him improve further. Torix Night is lightly raced and improved last run over this distance. He makes his poly debut but meets a modest field.
In the second Blue Horizon made good improvement in first time blinkers for Weiho Marwing. The stable has come well of late and a repeat should see her go close. Off Limits improved nicely second time out and making her poly debut and it helps that Louis Goosen’s yard is in mustard form. Joan The Wad will be looking to break a string of fourth placings and she could prefer this trip.
The third is an open handicap but Afropolitan has won two of his last three starts in the poly and could fit the bill. He got a seven-point raise in the handicap for his last win but has 2.5kg claimer James Lihaba aboard to ease the pain. Ancient World has shown some promise in his six starts to date. He was close-up at his last two and met a promising sort in The Shepherd last time out. Cyber Time is another in good form and beat stronger last run.
Kimball O’Hara could start at attractive odds in the fourth. He showed up well first run for his new stable. He steps up in trip with first time blinkers and a tongue-tie. Rodriguez has been holding form well of late and his last win was on the poly. One can expect another honest effort. Khanyisa Indlela has improved in blinkers. He is distance suited and with a 4kg claimer up he should make a bold bid. Riccardo is another showing consistent form. He is always game and the 1.5kg allowance from the saddle will help his chances.
Wendy Whitehead steps Sundance Kid up in trip in the fifth but he has been holding form against slightly stronger and should go well in this company. Scampton got a hefty rating after his recent maiden win and carries a big weight. However, he has come to hand nicely and should be competitive. Corsican seldom runs a bad race and is over his best course and distance from the best of the draw while Mr Pigalle may have needed his last run. He has a fair weight but goes very well this course and distance.
The Hollywood Syndicate, who celebrated their 500th winner last Thursday, have two runners with strong chances in the last. Purple Powahouse is a little long in the tooth but has been knocking on the door of late. He has drawn well and loves the poly. Phaka Imali has a tricky draw to contend with but goes well over course and distance and has been consistent. He should make another bold bid. High Velocity is down in trip but has gone close at his last two. Both those efforts were on the turf in the soft which is a concern although he has a light weight.
