Punters face a competitive eight-race card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday where an 86MR Handicap heads proceedings. It is a mile over the poly but Tienie Prinsloo could have the answer in Miss Platina.
The grey found herself out of her depth in the Gr2 Fillies Guineas at her penultimate start and given that Prinsloo deemed her good enough to run in that feature should have rung some bells for her next start where she started at 20-1. She won readily and got a hefty shunt up the handicap for her efforts but she still looks to be under the handicappers radar.
Safe And Sound was a maiden winner last run, her first on her poly. Duncan Howells ran her in a feature company while still a maiden so she has obviously shown some ability and could also be under the radar. Petit Verdot is well exposed and has been trying further of late. Garth Puller is well known for his runners jumping up and down in distance and Petit Verdot was narrowly beaten last time out over 2000m. She has a handy galloping weight from a good draw and goes well on the poly.
Apex Predator has let the side down on more than one occasion but will never get a better chance in a small field in the card opener. He does take to the poly for the first time but the form of the balance of the runners is not inspiring and hopefully he can get off the mark for punters who have been let down in the last. Biggest threat could be Mo King although he is well held by Apex Predator on their last meeting. In his favour is that his two best efforts have come on the poly and he could poop the party again.
The second is a competitive maiden. Sovereign Command has only had three outings for Yogas Govender and caught the eye when staying on over a sprint at his last start. He should much prefer this trip and meets a modest line-up. Kinnikinnik found some market support when Dean Kannemeyer tried him in blinkers. He finished one-paced five lengths back to Mike’s Mazarin who has since gone on to back-to-back wins.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is another tricky maiden but Perfectly Picked has been knocking on the door. She stays the trip and should finish close-up in a modest field. Howells saddles Regina Maris who made sudden improvement when tried in blinkers and her rating jumped from 54 to 72 after that run. She is one to watch in the market.
Dynasty’s Last and Walkie Talkie are also not prayerless.
Only eight runners are due to line up in the fourth but that doesn’t make it any easier in a lowly handicap. English Primrose got a four-point rise in the handicap for running second to Doctor’s Orders last time out with the latter getting a six-point hike in the handicap. Form in these lowly handicaps does not always hold true but these two should finish one top of each other again. Canford Queen beat Doctor’s Orders at her penultimate start and was not disgraced when taking on a lot stronger at her last run so also comes strongly into the picture.
Gareth van Zyl sends out Mamas Boy who was a beaten favourite last run but was not far back. She has shown some fair form to stronger in the past and the switch to the poly could bring out the best. Rafeef’s Choice is seldom out of the money and has been close-up in his last three over the trip. She switches to the poly but has been on the surface before. Sweet Julia has shown up well in two starts in handicap company and has improved with cheek pieces. She goes an extra furlong but should see it out in this company. Blush Of Dawn is the most accomplished runner in the field with six wins to her credit. She has been trying further at recent outings but should be effective in this line-up.
Dean Kanneemeyer’s runner Savantrix is lightly raced and showed up well first run back from a lengthy break. He shed his maiden on the poly, probably the reason that he is back up from Cape Town and that last run should have brought him on nicely. Mr Henley may possibly have found his last outing too far and is back to what looks to be a more suitable trip. The cheek pieces go back and he must be a big runner for Tony Rivalland. One To Many has won his last two for Kom Naidoo, getting home narrowly last time out. He got a four-point rise in the ratings but with apprentice Nirvan Nastilli claiming his 2.5kg he should still be competitive. Ultra Quick gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and has not been far back at recent outings. There is no relief for punters in the last as they face another open handicap. Paul Lafferty’s colt Dont Judge shed his maiden at second time of asking but got a hefty rating for his troubles. The step up in trip should suit and he may be good enough to overcome the handicap. Keep a close eye on the betting. Forest Jump has been a soldier for Darryl Moore. He has not been far back in recent outings but is coming down in the ratings. He may now be off a competitive mark and he loves the poly. Wave Warrior is always game and although a well beaten second last time out he gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance this time around which should make him competitive.
