Given some diligent homework there could be a few decent betting opportunities on the oly at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Wednesday.
The first race is a tricky maiden but Elegant Act was a beaten favourite last run finishing behind Littleblackvelvet. However, that was in a handicap and she is now 4kg better off. Littleblackvelvet has been improving steadily and her last two on the poly were promising. 2.5kg claimer James Lihaba can get her into the firing line. One Smart Cookie is lightly raced and was running on strongly last time out. Both recent starts have been in the soft. Emerald Green comes from the very much in form Louis Goosen stable. She makes her poly debut and goes this trip for the first time but is a must for all calculations.
In the second, Shotgun Willie is likely to start at fair odds but he has his third run after a long break and the blinkers come off. He can improve over the extra furlong for Andre Nel and Byron Forster. Circle Of Grace makes the trip from the Vaal for Corne Spies and was not far back last run. He makes his poly debut and the betting should give some indication of his chances. Brave Voyager was second best over course and distance last run but has a handy galloping weight and must have a strong winning chance. Few Dollars More was a game winner last run under a light weight but he got an eight-point hit in the handicap which could scupper his winning chances.
The third is a tricky handicap to open the Pick 6 but Whatsupbuttercup took on stronger at her last two. She has dropped a further three-pounds in the handicap and coupled with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she looks to have a strong chance in this weaker company. Columbia Road is seldom too far back and her best recent effort has been on the poly. She has a handy weight and looks to have a strong chance. Doctor’s Orders has been disappointing at her last two in the soft but the switch back to the poly and the cheek pieces off could make all the difference.
Kom Naidoo has been going through a bit of a slow period of late but this could change with Future Saint in the fourth. He was running on late in his first run for the stable and backs up in just a week so should strip a fit horse. The Mayor Of Merrivale found good market support last run but after showing up early he ran out of steam. He can do better here. Vihaan’s Bomb improved nicely when sent over a bit of ground last run. All three starts have been in the soft and the poly coupled with the extra distance could bring out the best. The Green Gallant seems destined to die a maiden but he plugged on gamely at his last two and has a money chance again.
Garth Puller saddles Fine Admiral in the fifth who has been taking on stronger at recent outings and not far behind. He goes well over course and distance and should put in a decent effort in this weaker company. Highveld raider Zoombomber has also been up against stronger of late and has taken a further drop in the handicap. He meets a modest field and at best rates a strong chance. Safe Space was touched off in a tight finish over course and distance and got a three-point raise in the handicap for his efforts. He improved in blinkers and Richard Fourie stays aboard. Ravens Sword looks held by Safe Space on their last meeting but has his third run after a break and should enjoy the extra ground. He comes from the very much in form Wendy Whitehead stable and can turn the tables.
Michael Roberts sends Chara Sands over his best trip in the sixth and has not been far back in his last two on the soft. He will appreciate the change of surface and has a strong chance in what stacks up into a modest field. Question Of Faith is lightly raced and has been up against stronger of late. He gets first time blinkers and a 4kg claimer up which should see him competitive.
Lashlaroo looks progressive and has shown up well in two recent sprints when tried in blinkers. This trip should be more to his liking and Frank Robinson’s gelding could prove a touch too classy for this line-up. Kumemori was a recent maiden winner but first time blinkers on the poly saw him home a comfortable winner. That form has held up. Sundance Kid had been consistent leading up to his recent win over course and distance. He got a six-point raise in the handicap but can go back-to-back while Ibutho is a tough veteran who cruised in last time out. Rachel Venniker offers some relief from his hefty burden and a repeat performance should see him close again
The last is a difficult handicap but the lightly raced Dollar A Dime was in a tough field last start when taking on stronger. She ran a smart race over course and distance at her penultimate start and from a good draw should make her presence felt. Flight Maneuver jumped from the maidens into a strong handicap first up and may have found the trip and the jump in class too much to handle. She makes her poly debut but back over a more suitable trip she can be dangerous. Jazz Diva gives Andre Nel a strong hand. A recent winner over course and distance, she has been close-up in all of her recent outings and has the much in form Serino Moodley to help her chances.
