Rachel Venniker has proved herself against the best in the world and she can get Sundance Kid home in a tough race that rounds off the card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Thursday.
Wendy Whitehead’s gelding has been contesting features of late where Venniker has not been able to claim her allowance and her claim could be what sees her home here.
Last One Standing looks a threat as he has been holding form well and with a handy galloping weight should make his presence felt.
Dean Kannemeyer should get the ball rolling. His colt Industrialstrength fell foul of the CO2 testing at his last intended start and was scratched. He finished runner-up to the Gr1 proven The Specialist on debut and should he pass the iniquitous CO2 test he should be difficult to beat in a small field.
Barry Du Grond finished a distant second last time out and although Robbie Hill’s colt has shown some ability he should prove second best.
Mask On should get punter’s through the first leg of the PA. He looks to be the pick of Louis Goosen’s pair as he was touched off over course and distance last time out hand has been improving steadily. Surprise package could be Stanley Park. Garth Puller has pitted him against much stronger at recent starts and he has been dropping steadily in the handicap. He is also down in class but does have a 4kg claimer up who has yet to win a race. Alyson Wright also saddles two runners with big chances. Rhythm has stable jockey Athandiwe Mgudlwa aboard but the gelding was a beaten favourite last time out finishing behind Mask On. Wright likes to exploit Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and although Love In Winter has mostly poly form, he must have a strong chance.
In a race with thin form Mike de Kock’s runner Mvelelo comes with consistent Highveld form over this trip and although drawn a little wide he could prove difficult to beat. Recently turned three-year-old Carnival Park improved nicely for MJ Odendaal at his second start and can show more but surprise package could be Amigo. He had the worst of the draw at his second start where he met Gr1 contender French Flame. He should do much better in this company.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is wide open. Landseer is lightly raced and has improved with each outing. He has the best of the draw and the Andre Nel stable is in good form of late. Magma Magic had the widest draw last run and finished a close-up third to General Byng. Tony Rivalland has declared first time blinkers and with a much better gate this time he should make a bold bid. Always Shining was favourite in the race with General Byng and a length ahead of Magma Magic. However, blinkers and a better draw for Magma Magic could see the tables turned.
The fifth, is a weak maiden over 2200m but Frank Robinson is a dab hand at preparing stayers and Intuitive Spirit has shown that he stays a trip in a field with very little form. He is way better than his last effort on the poly and his best showing has been on this course. Fire Force was close-up behind Intuitive Spirt when last they met in the same race. He has shown steady form since and must have a strong chance in this line-up. In that same race, Magic Hat Trick finished ahead of both the afore mentioned but his recent form has been modest.
The sixth is another tough race. Mike’s Mazarin surprised all, including trainer Ducan Howells, when motoring home to win his maiden at just his second start. He came from a long way back so the extra will suit and in modest company he can follow up. Lucretius switches to the turf but has consistent poly form and with Craig Zackey aboard for Carl Hewitson they could make an impression. Basie Raakvat showed up well over course and distance last time out and can finish in the money again.
Alec Laird sends out Pointer in the seventh who comes with strong Highveld form in useful company to back her claims. She faces a competitive field but was an expected easy winner of her last start at prohibitive odds and prior to that was far from disgraced behind the promising Rodeo Drive. Prom Queen has not been out since finishing five lengths back to Quid Pro Quo in the Allan Robertson. The step up in trip will suit and she should be a big runner for Dean Kannemeyer. Of the older runners, Perilla has been in good form for Dennis Bosch and was running on well behind the well-weighted Mascherina in a recent feature.
