Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday but most interest will center around the first two races. There are a number of debutantes in the card opener where the exposed form is seemingly not too strong and given the trainers comments on the unraced runners, the winner could come from their ranks.
Glen Kotzen is on record that he has arrived in KZN with a strong string of juveniles and Spirit of Levana makes her debut. The two-year-old daughter of the promising sire Fire Away got the thumbs-up from Kotzen and with Richard Fourie aboard she will start near the top of the boards. Gimmie’s Countess also makes her debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She has a cracking pedigree being by champion sire Gimmethegreenlight out of Kannemeyer’s star filly Real Princess. Word from the yard is include in all exotics. Of those that have run, Madame Pompadour is back to a sprint but has let the side down on a number of occasions. Frosted Green was much improved second time out in a work riders Maiden Plate. She has the widest draw but does look progressive.
The second is a tricky maiden but Mc Dazzler was much improved when making his poly debut at only his third start. A repeat should see Kannemeyer’s colt in the firing line. Dennis Bosch and jockey Rachel Venniker have struck up winning bond of late and they team up with Always Shining. The colt was a neck behind Mc Dazzler when last they met and given the stable’s form expect a good run. Run To Rio has been knocking on the door for some time now and his worst recent effort has been over the distance in soft ground. The switch to poly should suit. Red Mountain had shown promise before a lengthy lay-off but made a smart return to the track last time out.
In the opening leg of the jackpot, Michael Roberts has jumped Noble Warrior up in trip but the gelding did find some market support last run when tried in blinkers. He should be fit after racing once every month since January and the opposition is not strong. Ubukhwebenzana showed up well first run for her new stable but also steps up in trip. She is lightly raced and takes on males but looks set to improve. Ibiza Night is the form horse having been run out of it late in his last two. The blinkers go on and he should make another bold bid.
The balance of the card is made up of tricky handicaps starting off in the fourth. Roy’s Rocker steps up in class but has been close-up in recent outings. She only has 52kg to shoulder and has Muzi Yeni in the saddle. Barend Botes has three runners in the race. Light Of Day won well at Turffontein last time out and has been improving all the while she may prove the pick but stable companion Kind Judy was narrowly beaten when trying further last time out but has been consistent and can go one better.
In the fifth, Sundance Kid comes from a very much in form Wendy Whitehead stable. He was beaten two lengths in a Pinnacle Stakes last run by Formagear but his last three wins have been on the poly so he can return to winning ways. Bowie found one too good for him last run but he did have the widest draw to contend with. He goes well on the poly and should be competitive. Syx Hotfix has the widest draw to contend with but has been consistent leading up to his last win with Rachel Venniker retaining the ride while Lady Heist takes on males and is back on the poly. She shoulders a fair weight but is another with consistent recent form.
Tienie Prinsloo only has one runner on the day and Rugger Lover goes well over course and distance. She was only run out of it late when taking on males last start and can go one better. Enchanting Lady had consistent maiden form over the distance before winning. She was not far back in her handicap debut and the switch to the poly could bring out the best in her. Arverni Princess returns from a short break but goes well over course and distance and also has the best of the draw.
Paul Lafferty could provide one of the better bets on the card when he saddles Sleek As Silk in the seventh. She was not far back in a feature last time out and her two best recent efforts have been over course and distance. She is a strong contender. Zinikele has found her best form since Gareth van Zyl removed the blinkers. She has a fair weight but has a plum draw and is in fine form. Blue Horizon has been in the money in her last five outings including two wins for Weiho Marwing. She has a handy galloping weight and should be in the money again. Wonderful shed her maiden on the poly and was not far behind the useful Celtic Beauty last time out. The drop in trip on the poly should suit.
Mr Molony can round off the card as he took on stronger last start from a tough draw so it could be wise to put a line through that effort. He had consistent form prior to that and this race looks tailor made. One Irish Rover is back in the right division and was a close-up second behind Bally Magic when they last met. Bally Magic is better off at the weights but Richard Fourie replaces the 4kg apprentice who was aboard One Irish Rover last time out. L’Ultimo has his third run after a lengthy break and showed signs of coming to hand last time out. He could surprise.
