Horses that take an aversion to the starting stalls are a trainer’s nightmare but given patience and reschooling the issue can mostly be remedied. The internationally experienced Peter Muscutt appears to have got The Shepherd over his stall issues and the Hollywoodbets-owned gelding, who was named by Gold Circle Marketing Executive Stephen Marshall after he had ‘shepherded’ a few Comrades Marathon stragglers over the line, could add a fifth win to his record when he lines up in the Citadel MR 102 Handicap that heads the Hollywoodbets Greyville card on the turf this Sunday.
The Shepherd is more than useful and although he was second best behind the smart Gladatorian last time out he is back over what looks to be his preferred trip from a good draw. Tony Rivalland saddles Strathclyde who is a model of consistency and has been in the money in his last five starts. He was under a length back to The Shepherd when last they met behind Gladatorian but is now 1.5kg worse off in the handicap as he is missing Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance.
Navajo Nation is the highest rated runner in the race and Robbie Hill has entered him in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup. This will be a warm-up but he may need a forward showing if he is to make the final Cap field. African Skyline is always dangerous and Craig Zackey replaces the 4kg claimer, the rider in his last start.
Darryle Moore can get the card off to a winning start when he sends out Happy Fortune who has shown up well in both starts and started favourite last time out. She should be close to her peak. Opposition could come from Blowin In The Wind who has been runner-up in her last three over shorter. She was staying on well enough over 1100m last time out and the extra should not be an issue. Getoffofmycloud dead-heated with Happy Fortune when making her debut and should roll on from that effort. However, the stable is a little quiet of late which is a concern.
Captain’s Christy could be one of the better bets on the card although there should be very little between her and Stormy Choice, the two finishing within a head of each other in their last meeting. Mark Dixon’s filly goes the extra furlong for the first time but has the better draw and Serino Moodley has jumped ship from Perilla who won her last two under Moodley including a win over Stormy Choice. Stable companion to Captain’s Christy, Malcolm’s Dream is talented but temperamental. If she puts it together on the day she could have the measure of them all.
Paul Lafferty’s gelding New Frontier has been in good form since racing in blinkers. He has by far the best form in the race and likely to start at cramped odds in the first leg of the Pick 6. Captain Oliver started at long odds when making his debut over a mile. He looks likely to improve with that experience under his girth and could prove the biggest threat to New Frontier. Iron Monger is struggling to shed his maiden but was in need of his last run and had been showing signs of life before his lay-off.
Got The Fever and Flying Hafla look to be the principals in the fourth. Got The Fever made marked improvement when running on strongly for second last time out. The Lafferty stable is in good form of late and the extra furlong should suit. Flying Hafla was only a neck behind Got The Fever in this last meeting. Like Got The Fever, Mike de Kock’s filly is only having her fourth start and there should be very little between them again.
The fifth is a competitive handicap with many in with chances. However, Grey Fantasy is well regarded by the stable and has had two outings since a lengthy break. She should strip close to her peak for this race. Vision To Achieve was caught late over course and distance last run but got a two-pound penalty for the effort. Hereinafter has been a revelation as a seven-year-old, winning three of her last four starts. She is up in the handicap but is in very good form. Sweet Julia has the widest draw to contend with but has shown up well in her last two although all of her recent form has been on the poly.
The Kannemeyer stable has been a little on the quiet side these past few weeks but Mr Master Starter caught the eye when coming from off the pace to run second to the useful Formagear last time out. The drop in trip may well have suited and if he can build on that run he should go close in the sixth. Quandary has had two outings since a lengthy lay-off but does appear to have his problems. If close to his best he should be a factor in this race. Griffin Park takes a jump in class but MJ Odendaal has booked a 3.5kg claimer and with a light weight and the best of the draw he can go all the way.
The last is a tricky handicap but Tienie Prinsloo has had Global Movement up against slightly stronger of late and the gelding has been knocking on the door. He has a tricky draw to overcome but the drop in class and Gavin Lerena taking over in the saddle could be enough to see him home. Lou The Legend has been costly to follow but he has not been far back for his new stable. He is distance suited and the switch to turf could finally bring out the best. Stevie Gee has been consistent over shorter but his best recent form has been on the poly. He has a good draw and the extra furlong will not be an issue.
