Punters face a competitive card as racing reverts to the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly for the final race meeting of the current season. Underlying is the race for the KZN Trainer’s Title between narrow log leader Gareth van Zyl and Alyson Wright. Van Zyl was one winner ahead going into Saturday’s World Pool Gold Cup meeting where neither Van Zyl or Wright had strong chances and it could all hinge on this final meeting of the season.
Going purely on numbers, Van Zyl has the upper hand with his runners having strong chances in many of the races. But this is horse racing and anything can go pear-shaped in a heart-beat.
Kom Naidoo has engaged Kabelo Matsunyane for all of his runners on the day and they can get off to a winning start with World Pharoah in the card opener. The colt has the widest draw to contend with but has been close up in some useful company. He shows good pace and should take to the poly first time out. Visiting Clinton Binda saddles two, best of which looks to be Smashing who has consistent Highveld form and meets some modest opposition. Feather Dancer has her first run for Gary Rich. She goes well on the poly and a change of routine could bring out the best.
In the second, Sean Tarry saddles Saudi Sweep who was out-paced late on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville turf last time out. She should enjoy the extra and the switch to poly could suit. Van Zyl sends out Terminal Velocity who has a tough draw to contend with but showed up well on debut and the stable is in red-hot form. If overcoming the draw she will go close. Lightinthedarkness has shown up nicely in her two sprints to date. She has a good draw and the extra will suit. Her Royalty has drawn a little wide but has consistent form. She is proven over the trip and first time blinkers could bring out the best.
Louis Goosen could hold the cards in the first leg of the Pick 6. Elusive Belle has the best of the draw and was staying on well to finish two lengths off Facile last time out. She has the best of the draw and she does act on the poly. However, stable companion Dynasty’s Last, although struggling to improve, was only a length back to Elusive Belle in the race won by Facile and she is now 6kg better off in the weights. That should be enough to see her turn the tables. Van Zyl has another chance with Ruby Claire who makes her poly debut and did show improved form last start. The step up in trip could be what she is looking for. November Boogie was much improved back in blinkers last run. She made no show on the poly at her penultimate start which is concerning.
Michelle Rix will be heading home to the wet Cape Town once the African Horse Sickness restrictions are lifted but Ladies World can pay some of the bills in the fourth. She took on a strong field first run out of the maidens and was not too far back She is down in class here and goes well on the poly. Ideal Gift had a tough draw when hunting three on the bounce but was only beaten just over three lengths by Hot Strike. She has a better draw here. Van Zyl will be looking to cement his place at the top of the KZN trainer’s log as he saddles three runners with chances but best of them could be True Love’s Kisses with stable jockey Serino Moodley up. She has one blemish in her four outings since shedding her maiden and the form of her last win has worked out well with Woodland Glade winning next time out.
Allaroundtheworld has useful form over course and distance. His last two runs have been over shorter and he back over a more suitable trip he should go close in the fifth. Tom’s Act was outclassed last run and should do better in this company from the best of the draw and with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance. Wright sends out King Bavarian who is slightly under sufferance but has been consistent of late and with joint bottom weight he can be dangerous. Eventidor goes well on the poly. He shoulders top weight but will go close if holding form.
Van Zyl and Wright go head-to-head here with Moya Wa Laliga and Khanyisa Indlela respectively. Moya Wa Laliga has the worst of the draw but has been in good form since returning from the Cape. He has been narrowly beaten in his last two starts on the poly and should finish thereabouts again. Khanyisa Indlela won well last time out and beat a good one in Aberdeen last time out, Glen Kotzen’s runner showing signs of his best form. Phaka Imali has been holding form and also goes well on the poly. He has a favourable draw to help his chances.
One of the better bets on the card could be Porfirio. Kom Naidoo’s runner has been touched off in his last three over a mile on this course. This shorter trip could be what he is looking for and has the perfect rider in Kabelo Maysunyane. Benni In The Area loves this synthetic surface and goes well this trip. He will be a threat. Van Zyl sends out Stars In Heaven was a recent maiden winner in the Cape. He does appear to be much better than his first run out of the maidens and the switch to the poly could help his chances. The Wright-trained Imaginable got the better of Benni In The Area over course and distance last time out but is now 3kg worse off at the weights for a length beating.
The Mike Miller-trained Discerning can round off her juvenile career in the last race of the season. She has the widest draw to contend with but has some consistent form in useful company and although she shoulders a big weight she looks capable in this line-up. Vision Of Will has the best of the draw and is over her favourite course and distance. S’Manga Khumalo stays with the ride. Prankster has been coming to hand nicely since arriving from Cape Town. She has improved in blinkers while Drive By was a comfortable winner last run but did get a six-point shunt up the handicap for her troubles. She gets 4kg claiming apprentice up which should nullify the increase so a repeat showing can see her go in again.
