Summerveld-based trainer Frank Robinson has had the privilege of working with top horses when assistant to Herman Brown Jnr and Herman Snr and he will be hoping that Mexican Pete and Love Bomb come to the party on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
He saddles Mexican Pete in the sixth who has been racing in feature company of late and is back in the handicap divisions. He has a high rating to contend with but the switch to poly and the slightly weaker opposition could see Robinson’s charge back in the winner’s box. But there is plenty of opposition. Fellow three-year-old Winter Games has gone close to the likes of Gr1 winner Sanderingham Summit and smart sprinter Quasiforsure and was in need of his last run where Mike Miller had him in blinkers for the first time. The blinkers come off and he steps up to what may well prove to be a more suitable trip and he looks a threat to Mexican Pete. Garth Puller sends out Banzai Pipeline who goes well over course and distance and Sean Veale will find it hard going to make 52kg which may be an indication of the stable hopes. Pirate Prince has the best of the draw and is smart on his day but he has not been out since November last year which is a concern.
Robinson sends out Gr1-winning Love Bomb in the seventh who has had no luck in the handicap. Just when she appears to be racing off a competitive mark, she finishes second and the handicappers panic and shunt her up the ratings. She got three pounds for her second behind Red Roses Too last time out but that may not be enough to stop her from a deserved fifth victory. The lightly race Le Premiere has run her two best races on the poly and is better off in the weights with both Vision Of Will and Kennedy on their last meeting. She has the benefit of a better draw and Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance could make all the difference.
In the first, Duchess Of Gold was second best when trying further last run but Robbie Hill’s filly looks well handicapped back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. Mauritania was a beaten favourite last run after winning over course and distance at her penultimate start but is now 6.5kg worse off with Duchess Of Gold for her four-length win. Baby On Board ran well below her best last time put and that run is best ignored however, she is a whopping 6.5kg worse off with Duchess of Gold. Hugsandhighfives ran no sort of race behind recent winner Sting Ray last time out. She is lightly raced and Garth Puller has stepped her up to what may be a more suitable tip.
In the second Quanabi was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out but Richard Fourie has stayed loyal to Wendy Whiteheads filly and although again drawn in gate 8, one can expect a better performance this time around. Quanabi finished behind Miss Lialah when last they met but Miss Lialah is now 4kg worse off which should be enough to turn the tables. Veteran Star Choice has come good for Frank Robinson, winning her last two but she did get a five-point rise in the handicap which could scupper her chances here.
Miss Platina was much improved first time out for Tienie Prinsloo and the filly is only having her fourth start, second for the stable. The extra furlong should suit and she can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. In opposition, Accumulate has the worst of the draw but was staying on for third last time out and Fourie stays with the ride.
The fourth is a competitive handicap but Now I Got You has improved with his new stable and has his third outing for Nathan Kotzen. He has been dropping off a once impossibly high rating and had the worst of the draw last time out. He has now drawn pole and the extra furlong should suit. Patronage is never far off them and goes well on this surface while Time Together was a close-up second when taking on stronger last time out and 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies improves with each ride.
The fifth is a wide open handicap but Roy’s Command is no slouch on his day and as an older horse Paul Gadsby has declared blinkers for the first time. He was a close-up third last time out and has been improving all the while. Quick Star has had two sprint-ups since a lay-off with an inexperienced apprentice aboard for MJ Odendaal. He is up in trip with Jame Lihaba in the irons so one can expect a much improved effort. Veteran Farland took on much stronger when winning last time out but does have a wide draw and a five-point ride in the handicap to contend with. However, Doug Campbell has booked Rachel Venniker and her 1.5kg allowance to balance out the rise in the ratings. Khanyisa is way better than his last effort. His best recent form has been on the turf but he has also done well on the poly. Alyson Wright’s charge is a kilo down in the ratings.
Duncan Howells holds a useful hand in the last with French Princess and Poppy Of Bayeux. French Princess has not been the easiest at home but improved when tried in blinkers. She was in need of her last run and has the widest draw to contend with but has a strong form chance. Poppy Of Bayeux backs up after a good third last Wednesday. She showed good pace but may well prefer the extra furlong. Blush Of Dawn has improved in blinkers and has Fourie back in the irons while Swiss Parade was much improved in blinkers last run and although she runs in cheek pieces this time around a repeat showing should see her in the firing line.
