Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday with a mixture of Maidens and Handicap races.
In the card opener, a maiden sprint over 1000m the Andre Nel-trained Trippi T has been expensive to follow and is long overdue. However, one of his best recent efforts has been over course and distance and this looks to be the right field. Paul Lafferty’s runner Helsinki has consistent form over further and although back to a sprint he can feature in this company. Of the first timers, Mike Miller has given a qualified assessment of Record High and is expecting a good effort if not too green. Check the market support on this one.
Louis Goosen has a number of runners in with chances and he could have a good afternoon starting with Arverni Princess in the second. She has been taking on stronger at recent outings over course and distance and has also taken a three-point drop in the ratings. Pantea has made steady improvement at her last two starts and is now 1kg better off with recent winner Zululanga who again only has 49kg to shoulder. Fashion Mistress started favourite behind Zululanga when last they met and can make amends.
In the third, first leg of the Pick 6, Savantrix could prove to be one of the better bets on the card in spite of returning from a lengthy break and making his local debut on the poly. He has come down in the ratings but has some fair form in smart company. If not in need of the run he should be hard to beat. Strawberry Stinger could be a danger. He shed his maiden over course and distance last season and although he lost his way back in the Cape he showed signs of a form return last time out. Winter Waves is never far back but drops to 1200m. He has a light weight and goes well on the poly.
The fourth is a wide open handicap. San Marzano was caught late by Tom’s Act last time out and is now 1kg better off in the handicap He should be able to turn the tables but there is not likely to be much in it. Tom’s Act finished strongly to collar San Marzano when last they met and a repeat of his finishing burst could see him go back-to-back. National Dream was in need of his last run after returning from a lengthy break. He may still need another outing but is fully capable on his best form and any market support should be taken seriously. Tin Cup is another that comes out of the Tom’s Act form finishing less than a length behind and is also better off with the winner.
The fifth is another competitive handicap but Frank Robinson sends out useful three-year-old Madison Valley who had it tough from a wide draw last time out. He put in two smart efforts in first time blinkers prior to that and from the best pf the draw he should feature prominently. Riccardo was only three lengths back to Hollywoodbets Durban July entries Flag Man and The Grey King last time out. His last win was over course and distance. Send Me makes his poly debut but was a touch disappointing last run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. The blinkers are back on along with Richard Fourie. Master Of Destiny was running on late last start in soft ground. He has been knocking on the door of late and the extra furlong could now suit.
Weiho Marwing’s filly Pretty Analia is something of a poly specialist and goes well over course and distance. She is due a second win with S’Manga Khumalo staying aboard in the sixth. Green Valkyrie made a promising debut for her new stable and did have some fair Cape form prior to that. Of concern is that the stable has not had a winner in a long time although things do appear to be improving. Green Valkyrie could break the ice. Purple Flower showed up well first run out of the maidens and the form of her maiden win has been franked. Drive By has a wide draw but has shown up well in her last two poly outings. She gets a 4kg claimer up and with some luck in running she will be right there in another open affair.
Goosen sends out Cyber Time in the seventh who has been holding form well and was only four lengths off Flagman and The Grey King from a wide draw last time out. He had consistent form prior to that and goes well over this trip. Dynalley looks the pick of the Dean Kannemeyer pair given the jockey engagements. He showed up well last run and the step up in trip should suit. Blackberry Malt showed signs of coming to hand again when just over two lengths behind the winner. He has his third local run since arriving from the Cape and the stable is in good form. Kumemori was a comfortable winner when dropped in class last time out. He was given a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap which may have put paid to his winning chances here.
Political Party can round off the meeting for Alyson Wright as he has been taking on stronger at recent outings on the turf. He is down in class from the best of the draw and could give high-riding Richard Fourie another winner. Count Marsh has the widest draw to contend with but is a poly specialist and goes well this distance. Bally Magic has come well at recent outings over course and distance. He has a handy galloping weight and should feature. Space Cowboy is coming along the right way and was finishing strongly last time out. The extra furlong should suit.
