Tony Rivalland has always held Coin Spinner in high regard. The gelding may not have reached the lofty heights expected after his early showings but he has certainly held his own as he tries for his seventh win at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday. He has always been useful but is now dropping in the ratings and although set to shoulder top weight as he takes to the poly, he does get 1.5kg relief from the saddle in the form of Rachel Venniker. He has been racing in top company, four lengths off his highly rated stable companion Kings Of The Gauls last time out, and Rivalland appears to have found the ideal race for his charge.
Dennis Bosch will be out to spoil the party with Diani. The son of Ideal World has drawn a touch wide but he ran a cracker to beat the useful The Grey King last time out. He is at home on the poly over this trip and should make a race of it with Coin Spinner.
Winter Waves is something of a poly specialist, his last two wins coming on this surface. He jumps in class but as an eight-time winner he is set to only shoulder 53.5kg which puts him in with a shout. Proud Master has come to hand of late and was a narrow winner over course and distance last time out. He did not get a penalty for that victory and is quite capable on his day
Punters have nine races to fill their wallets but they will have to negotiate a few competitive handicaps and set weights races, the first coming in the opening leg of the Bi-Pot.
Always Shining is long overdue having only missed a cheque once in eight starts. He was touched off over a mile on the turf last time out and Rachel Venniker’s allowance can see her go one better. The Octagon is a lightly raced four-year-old who showed up well trying the mile the first time for Alec Laird. This will be his third run after a break and races in first time cheek pieces. National Award has only his third start and he showed good improvement when going a mile last time out. He has drawn a little wide and tries the poly for the first time but he makes strong appeal in this line-up.
Dean Kannemeyer has two lively runners in the first leg of the PA in Spelling Bee and Royal Swan Master. Stable rider Craig Zackey has stayed with Spelling Bee who was narrowly beaten last time out. He takes to the poly for the first time which may be a concern given that Royal Swan Master has shown that he can handle the synthetic surface. He also gets first time blinkers and Sean Veale is in cracking form of late. Officer In Command is 2.5kg worse off with Spelling Bee on their last encounter as Mike de Kock’s gelding was a winner last time out. He has the best of the draw in his favour but Down By The River is also better off in the weights on their last meeting where he was a length behind and is now 2kg better off.
Miss Paget has won her last two over course and distance and now takes a jump in class in the first leg of the Pick 6. However, Alyson Wright’s filly has taken two jumps in the handicap in her stride and is again nearing her highest mark of 79. However, she has obviously come to hand and still looks to be ahead of the handicappers with only 52kg to shoulder. Top weight Zinikele ran a little below form when sent out favourite for her last start. Her last win was over course and distance but she has to give Miss Paget 9kg. Perilla has yet to finish out of the money in four starts for Dennis Bosch. She won well enough over the distance on the turf last time out but as a five-year-old she should not be troubled by the switch in surface.
Avernian Princess finally made it out of the second box for Kannemeyer with a comfortable maiden win last time out. The switch to the poly may have been what did the trick although her turf form can hardly be faulted. She stays the trip and looks capable of following up. Magical View makes her poly debut but has shown up well in two starts since her maiden success. She can go one better for Mike Miller. Beautiful Rania was outclassed in the Gr2 Golden Slipper but still ran well below what she is capable off. She is lightly raced and shed her maiden over this distance.
In the sixth, the Duncan Howells-trained Irish Luck got a hefty rating after his maiden win and has since been struggling in handicap company. He now appears to have dropped to a more competitive mark as he showed when a close-up second over course and distance last time out. However, he still gives weight to all including seven-time winner Knight Warrior and five-time winner Bally Magic. Both veterans are accomplished over the course and distance and need to be included in all calculations. Porfirio is a dangerous front-runner who goes well on the poly and has been in consistent form for Kom Naidoo.
Phaka Imali is down in class and his last win was over course and distance. Gary Rich is taking advantage of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and the son of Var could make it for his fifth win for the Hollywood Syndicate in the eighth. Hippocrates has been in good form over course and distance and almost caused a boil-over when a close-up second at lengthy odds. He is down in class from that run and a repeat should see him competitive.
A tough handicap rounds off the meeting. Pantea has been knocking on the door for her second win and is due a change of fortune. Darryl Moore’s mare has shown her best recent form on the poly and from a plum draw she should make her presence felt. Prankster steps up in trip but has been in good form in blinkers and should go close. Perfect Trust has the widest draw to contend with but has been consistently in the shake-up at recent outings. The mare goes well this trip and can feature.
