Alyson Wright it pushing hard to land her first title as KZN’s Champion Trainer. She is currently leading the charge but it is a tight contest with all of five of her colleague within a few winner’s of her total – the log decided by number of winners.
She does not have any stars in her string but what she does have are consistent and she is making a concerted effort on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
Her best chance of a winner looks to be Purplepowahouse in the second, a 66 MR Handicap over 1200m. The seven-year-old is long overdue another win. He was second best behind Stevie Gee last time out but there is a 6kg turnaround in the weights which should see the tables turned even though the latter took on stronger last time out. Lola Crawford’s gelding Granddady Purple showed up well in a competitive sprint last time out and she has booked 4kg apprentice Brevan Plaatjies so will only carry 49kg. Space Cowboy has shown his best recent form on the poly although he has been trying a furlong further. Andre Nel’s runner is certainly not out of it.
In the card opener. Her Royalty tried further last run but is back to a sprint. She has done well over the trip and has a handy weight. Turn Around makes his debut but comes from the very much in form Glen Kotzen stable whose juveniles are running well. Amigo is a well-bred first timer and Louis Goosen knows how to get them going early. Top Gun has had an outing but was very green on debut. He raced in soft going and firmer underfoot conditions could see him make marked improvement.
The third is a competitive handicap but Patants Heir took on much stronger last run and Gareth van Zyl has dropped her in class. The filly looks promising although she does face a competitive field. Dennis Bosch took his chances with Le Premiere who was out classed in a feature last time out. Prior to that she had put in two smart efforts on the poly. Kennedy is in mustard form and goes well on the poly. However, the handicappers are catching up and her four-point raise for her last win could be the stick in her spokes. War Empress is never far back and is over her optimum trip.
Garth Puller could have a trick up his sleeve in Full Of Magic in the fourth. She has been up against stronger at recent outings and Puller has put the filly back over her preferred trip. She has also dropped five pounds in the handicap which could be enough to see her home. Flying The Star is seldom far off them and her last win was over course and distance. Fashion Mistress has been rested but has not been far back at her more recent outings. She is one to watch in the market as should be Vathomvlaffie who has shown little in four starts on the turf since shedding her maiden on the poly. She could be the surprise package back on the synthetic surface
Trafalgar Square is back on his favoured surface in the fifth, his last two wins coming on the poly track. Richard Fourie gets the ride for Dennis Bosch and it could be a lethal combination. Chara Sands was a fluent winner last time out to give Michael Roberts and Rachel Venniker their 100th win together. The gelding got a four-point raise in the handicap but his latest win was from the widest draw coming from off the pace. Herecomestherain makes his way from the Highveld and showed up well on his poly debut. He only has 52.5kg to shoulder and he should be very dangerous.
The sixth is another competitive handicap. True Love’s Kiss is lightly raced and has gone close in her first two handicap races. He maiden win came on the poly and she looks capable in this line-up. Linganomore has come on nicely of late culminating in her last win on the Turffontein inner course. As an older mare, she should take to the poly and may be Corne Spies’ best chance of a win. Status Quo is improving again and has a money chance for Mike Miller while Leopard Lady is one of the toughest but each time she gets close, her rating jumps. She is down to possibly a more realistic mark now and gets Richard Fourie to help her home.
An interesting runner in the seventh is Palermo who is still a maiden and is one of the top weights. Not the ideal horse to back if looking for rent money but was touched off when going a mile for the first time and Tienie Prinsloo knows the game well. Wright holds a fair hand with three runners. Time Taker has a tricky draw to contend with but has been taking on stronger of late and has a 4kg claiming apprentice up. Wave Warrior is a poly specialist and his last win was over course and distance. He has also improved in blinkers. Stable companion National Dream has the worst of the draw but his last run was in July last year where he won three on the bounce. He may need this outing.
In the last, Miss Paget is likely to start at decent odds as she has a wide draw to contend with but she showed up well first run back from a lengthy lay-off. She will strip fitter this time around. Perfect Trust has been knocking on the door for some time now and the mare goes well on the poly and has fair form over course and distance. Green Valkyrie has her first outing for Kom Naidoo and comes with some fair Cape form to her credit. She has a plum draw with first time blinkers could be a big runner. Miss Lialah has come good of late, winning three of her last four over course and distance. The handicappers are catching up but she can go in again.
