The Pinkdrive Michaelmas Handicap that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday has attracted a small but competitive field. Frank Robinson and his principal owner Sid Moodley are enjoying a good run of fortune of late and that can continue as they have two smart runners, Mexican Pete and Madison Valley.
The latter is warming up for the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup so is unlikely to be anywhere near his peak but Mexican Pete warmed up for this race with an eye-catching performance behind the talented sprinter Quasiforesure last Sunday. He ran on from a long way back for second and will much prefer this trip. However, he takes on some useful opposition.
Mike de Kock sends out Officer In Command who has come to hand as a four-year-old winning his last two and climbing the handicap. He is still out at the weights but has recent Singapore hero Muzi Yeni and 52kg to help is cause. There shouldn’t be much between stable companions Golden Peace and Natyam given a line through Blackberry Malt but judging on jockey bookings Golden Peace looks to be the stable elect. Cape Eagle is the class in the race and this step up in trip will suit after a promising warm-up but he may still prefer further to show his best.
Paul Lafferty can get the meeting of to a winning start with Dapper. He faces modest opposition and has been trying further of late but with some success. He is way better than his last effort and has done well this trip and at best, will go close. Gimmethegoodlife needed his last run, his first on returning from the Cape. His last two have been on yielding going and a better run is expected. Sovereign Command was a beaten favourite last run when trying seven furlong on the poly. His two best efforts have been over shorter and he should be competitive in this line-up.
Robinson sends out One Path in the second who was just in need of her second start. She was rested after making a smart debut against winners and the Robinson yard is in very good form of late. Ladyofdistinction made a promising debut for Michael Roberts and was narrowly beaten next time at the races. She should be in the money. Both fillies try the 1400m for the first time. Zena Rose stays the trip and has not been far back at recent outings. Duncan Howells has declared blinkers and she must have a chance on current form.
The third is a tricky handicap with a small field in the first leg of the Pick 6. Faizah has the best of the draw and was a beaten favourite at her last two. She is better off at the weights with most of her recent opponents and her current form is difficult to oppose although she switches to Hollywoodbets Greyville. Miss Platina beat Faizah comfortably when last they met but is now 3.5kg worse off which should bring them a lot closer together. Wonderful found solid market support last run on the poly and won by a street with Miss Platina some five lengths behind. However, Garth Puller’s filly got a hefty eight-point raise in the handicap and is now 4kg worse off. Gorgeous Girl disappointed when favourite last time out but had consistent form prior to that if she can find her best she could also be a contender.
Robinson has a busy afternoon and Rollo The Viking could add to his tally in the fourth. He came from a mile back to finish a close-up second last time out after showing little in his two previous outings. But first time blinkers were probably responsible for the sudden improvement. He does have the best of the draw and can go one better. Paul Lafferty sends out One Scotch who has put in two smart sprints; runner-up in both. The step up in trip should suit and he is a must in all calculations. Freddy Slater has run his best over course and distance and is lightly raced. However, the stable is a little quiet at present which is a concern.
Peter Muscutt saddles the lightly raced five-year-old Neitherherenother in the fifth. He has had his issues but Muscutt appears to have got on top of them and the gelding won well over the distance last time out, well supported in the market. He has drawn well and Craig Zackey retains the ride. Stable companion I Salute You has drawn on the other side of the barrier but does look promising. He does look to be progressive and if overcoming the draw he must have a chance with Gavin Lerena staying aboard. Joshua Hotsnake seldom runs a bad race. His best recent form has been on the poly but he does act on the turf and is over his optimum trip. Teatime Tipple was a beaten favourite in a sprint last run but is back over a more suitable trip and can feature.
The sixth is a wide open fillies and mares handicap and Carl Hewitson sends out Givers Grace who has shown some recent improvement in blinkers. She is down in class and got a three-pound relief from the handicap last time out which will put her on a par with the likes of Forward Motion and Hot Strike and Qondanekukhanyeni who dead-heated for third 1.5 lengths ahead of Givers Grace. The last two have drawn alongside so there will be something of a tactical battle between this trio with Forward Motion looking in. Add the much improved Doctor’s Orders to the mix along with recent winner Kisshoten and the betting may be your best guide.
Michael Miller can round of the afternoon with Magical View. The filly has run two smart races this season after being given a four-month break. She looks progressive and can follow up on her last win with that form having been franked. One Smart Cookie has been in smart form on the turf. She goes well this trip and Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance could prove decisive in a tight finish. Shanta’s Pride is down in class and has been knocking on the door for some time now. The blinkers are back on. West Side Story won at long odds at just her second start. She could be anything.
