Small fields are the order of the day on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday but that does not necessarily mean punters will have an easy ride. The card has a number of competitive handicaps to keep the noses of committed form studiers burning the candles at both ends.
The card starts with a poser in the first. Dean Kannemeyer saddles McDazzler who has been costly to follow having been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions. He tends not to finish off his races but he should get it right sooner rather than later. Stable companion Real War could be his biggest danger. Lightly raced, he was close-up on the turf from a wide draw last time out. He makes his poly debut but should put in a strong showing. Mr Hotstepper made a promising debut behind Cat’s Pajamas but has not been out since April. He may need it but is one to watch in the betting.
In the second, Art Nouveau improved nicely second time out for Mike Miller and although well beaten by the runaway winner she was running on stoutly and could well show further improvement over this trip. Wendy Whitehead sends out Perfectly Picked who has been knocking at the door of late. She goes well this trip and meets a modest line-up. Yellow Jacket has consistent form over shorter. She like to race handy and with a 4kg claimer aboard she could go all the way for Kom Naidoo while Sascha’s Dream was not far back in her debut sprint and could much prefer this distance.
At first glance, English Primrose looks the right one in the first leg of the Pick 6 but the form could be a little deeper. Off Limits has been racing against much stronger recently and her merit rating has dropped 12 points in five starts. The drop in rating and class can see Louis Goosen’s filly home. English Primrose has not missed a cheque since Gary Rich declared cheek pieces. She is course and distance suited and in good form but did get a three-point raise in the handicap which could open the way for Canford Queen. Garth Puller had a three-timer last Wednesday and gives 4kg claimer Damyan Pillay a chance on Canford Queen who is now 5kg better off in the handicap for a three length beating with English Primrose.
Robyn Klaasen made a successful raid on the poly the last time she was in KZN and she has a number in with chances. Rastignac had shown little leading up to his poly debut but he blossomed on the synthetic surface and although only shedding his maiden the gelding appears to have found himself. King Bavarian was staying on nicely when runner-up last time out. He takes a big step up in class but only has 52kg to shoulder. Allaroundtheworld was disappointing last run according to Gary Rich but the 2300m may have been out of his compass. Calvin Habib stays with the ride and can do better over this shorter trip. Blazing Light is seldom too far back and goes well over course and distance. On his best form he will go close.
The fifth is a competitive handicap, Corne Spies makes the trip from the Highveld with Zoombomber, his only runner on the day. The gelding was a beaten favourite at the Vaal last time out but is struggling for his second win. However, he comes in off a light weight and he has done well on the poly. Khanyisa Indlela has found form as a six-year-old and his last win was over course and distance. He has a fair weight but is over his best distance. Landseer was a recent maiden winner and although the form has not panned out quite as expected Andre Nel’s runner is lightly raced and still improving.
last effort on the turf and is back on his preferred surface. Doug Campbell has replaced the cheek pieces with blinkers on Tom’s Act which could make a difference
Policy Of Truth came on well from a sprint to finish a smart second when sent over ground on the poly. He obviously enjoyed the surface and can go one better for Tienie Prinsloo in the sixth. Burning Man disappointed in the same race after shedding his maiden in style. The form of his previous maiden runs has been franked and one can expect an improved effort. Mike de Kock has set up a stall in Summerveld and saddles Ingqwele who has shown up well in both starts since beating Burning Man in the maidens. He shows some promise and the switch to the poly could suit.
One of the better bets on the card could be Mike Miller’s has a progressive filly Million Voices who was just in need of her last two. She makes her poly debut but with a brace of runs under her girth she should prove difficult to beat. Avernian Goddess was outpaced late behind She’s A Machine over 1400m last time out and that form has been franked. She shed her maiden over course and distance and has yet to finish out of the money in six starts. Princess Hannah made major improvement when winning over course and distance last time out and trainer Paul Gadsby was confident of a big effort in spite of the long price. The runner-up has since put in a good showing to frank that form. Visiting Heirloom has not been far back at her last two over the Turffontein inner track and the switch to the poly could bring out the best.
Irish Luck can round off the afternoon. He has been coming down in the ratings and Duncan Howells appears to have picked the right race with Muzi Yeni taking over in the saddle from apprentice James Lihaba. Stars In Heaven has shown up well in two starts since returning from the Cape. This is his third run after a break so he should strip close to his peak. Hippocrates took advantage of a drop in class to win comfortably last time out. He got a four-point raise in the handicap but from the best of the draw he can go in again.
