There look to be some solid bets on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Tuesday 27 February 2024, starting off in the first.
This looks to be the ideal race for Helsinki, Paul Lafferty’s gelding having shown good form over course and distance and meeting a modest field here. Irish Field showed improved form on the poly with first time blinkers and with a claiming apprentice up he looks to be the most likely danger. One to watch is Tienie Prinsloo’s runner Global Movement that makes his debut for the stable. He has not been out since October last year but showed a liking for the synthetic surface and any market support must be taken seriously.
In the second Griffin Park backed up his maiden win with a smart handicap effort for MJ Odendaal. He does have the handicap of top weight but meets a lot of older horse one of these being Purple Powahouse who Alyson Wright has backed up after the gelding was running on nicely behind Knight Warrior last Wednesday. The drop to five furlongs may be of concern. Poppy Of Bayeux shows good pace over course and distance and should be in the shake-up for Duncan Howells while Herecomestherain makes his trip from the Highveld for Paul Matchett in his poly debut and comes from a stable not to be ignored lightly
In the third Dean Kannemeyer has been bringing Pieter Both on slowly and he looks prime to pounce in the first leg of the Pick 6. A close-up third last time out he meets some modest opposition, most of whom have had their chances. Power Star has his third run after a break and goes well on the poly. Doug Campbell’s runner looks a likely threat. Isorender steps up in trip and shows steady form over shorter. The Green Gallant lives in the shadow of his star younger brother Sandringham Summit but he soldier’s on and can earn another cheque for his owners.
Garth Puller’s mare Petit Verdot boasts solid form that has been franked. She goes well on the poly stays the trip and rates the one to beat in the fourth in an otherwise competitive handicap. Sea Goddess ran way below her best in a small feature in the soft last time out. Her best recent form has been on the poly and Louis Goosen will see her find her better form. Andre Nel has two competitive mares in Ice Sunsation and Lillybelle both in with strong chances. Ice Sunsation has been taking on the stronger fields and was close-up last time but Lillybelle has the handier weight and could be the pick of the stable runners
Dennis Bosch, successful with Knight Warrior last Wednesday, looks to have picked the right race for Riccardo who has been in good form of late. He stays the trip well and can go one better after being beaten by the progressive Shoot The Rapids last time out. Safe Space has come well in blinkers and his last win was not out of turn. He goes well on the surface and stays the trip well. Mr Pigalle has a big weight but has not been far back in recent outings over shorter and the extended trip could suit.
Paul Matchett makes the trip from the Highveld and looks to have a better chance with Have A Party who arrives for her first tilt on the poly after two close-up efforts at Turffontein. If she takes to the poly, she looks to be the ‘right’ one in this race. Spring Kiss has consistent form over shorter and with Richard Fourie booked for the ride the inference is obvious. Weiho Marwing has booked a 4kg claimer for Pretty Analia who has made steady recent improvement and looks primed for this race. Ideal Gift took on males on the turf last run and was not far back. She seems better suited to the poly and can feature.
Wylie Riley looks a fair bets in the seventh. He has been in good form against stronger and although he has a fair wight he has the best of the draw and Gareth van Zyl has booked a smart claiming apprentice. Kaygee’s Delight has been knocking on the door for some time now and Garth Puller has switched him to the poly. He has a tricky wide draw to contend with but is progressive and if taking to the surface should run a big race. Famous And Rich is never far off and was a good second last run over course and distance to stronger. He is a big runner.
The last is a wide open handicap but visiting Fish Eagle has been up against much stronger on the Highveld and although returning from a break he should be good enough to sort this field out for Clinton Binda. Rafiki is way better than his last effort and has good form over course and distance prior to that and veteran Wave Warrior has his third run after a break and possibly back over a more suitable trip. Lou The Legend returns from a lengthy break. He is lightly raced but has good form over course and distance and must be included in all calculations.
