The Model Man Mile on the turf heads up a nine-race card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and hopefully the weather holds off after a wet week that saw last Sunday’s meeting abandoned. Given the weights and accepting that the handicappers have got it right, there are a few with decent form under sufferance.
However, the Mike de Kock-trained Artist’s Model has only had there starts but was a convincing maiden winner over course and distance last time out. He has improved with each outing and from a good draw should run well. Glen Kotzen sends out the filly Spirit Of Levana is the best weighted but has not been out since late July and may need the outing but Gavin Lerena stays with the ride from a wide draw. Actor beat Artist’s Model in the maidens and is also on the up so there may not be much between them again. Comedy Club made marked improvement on his debut effort to win next time out for Gareth van Zyl. He could be anything and is one to follow in the market.
Paul Lafferty can get the first leg of the Bi-Pot off to a winning start with One Scotch. The gelding has a wide draw to contend with but has been close-up in all of his three starts and this looks to be the ideal race. Whereverilaymyhat was much improved over course and distance last run and Alyson Wright’s runner looks a serious threat to the selection. Uzwano looks held by Whereverilaymyhat on their last meeting but this was his debut effort for Dean Kannemeyer and there should be improvement to come although the stable is a little quiet of late.
The third is a tricky maiden but World Of Our Own made a promising debut at long odds for Alyson Wright and should come on from that effort. He faces some well exposed runners so the betting could be a good pointer. Tickalox was much improved from a difficult draw over course and distance at his penultimate start but his subsequent outing on the poly was disappointing. Meerkat Moon finished behind Tickalox when last they met but has been improving and looks primed for this. The Golden Goal has the best of the draw and has improved in blinkers. With Rachel Venniker’s allowance he should be a big runner for Doug Campbell.
Rollo The Viking can kick off the Pick 6. He has improved with each outing and was running on late over a mile last time out. Gavin Lerena stays with his mount for Frank Robinson and that could prove significant as he steps the gelding up in trip. Syrian Steel is a filly taking on males but has a light weight and should stay the trip. Carl Hewitson has a second string to his bow in Walkie Talkie who was a little disappointing on the poly last run but has gone close over course and distance. New Frontier has consistent form in blinkers and indications are that he will stay the trip. Paul Lafferty has booked 2.5kg claimer Bevan Plaatjies so a light weight will enhance the gelding’s chances.
In the sixth, Star Of The Future has started favourite in both starts since returning from a lengthy lay-off. Both were over sprints so one needs to trust trainer Frank Robinson that the big step up in trip will be the gelding’s optimum trip. He will stay on pedigree. Paul Lafferty has pitted his filly Got The Fever against males and she made marked improvement last run at just her second start. If she can build on that and will be a big runner. Captain Oliver made a smart debut, first up over a mile and given the experience and expected improvement Frikkie Greyling’s runner must have a strong chance.
The seventh is a wide open handicap. Red Mountain was a recent maiden winner with a 4kg claimer up but was never in danger of losing. Robbie Hill’s runner had fairly solid maiden form behind his claims and blinkers appear to have brought out the best. The Hill stable is also in form. Palermo was touched off on the poly last run but Tienie Prinsloo’s gelding is seldom far behind and should make a bold bid in this line-up. Mike de Kock saddles Tyrconnell, a lightly raced five-year-old who was a close-up second run back from a lengthy break and a repeat will see him close. The best of Peter Muscutt’s three runners could be recent maiden winner Night Rocker who has a wide draw but this is only his fourth start and he does look to be progressive.
Another wide open handicap faces punters in the eighth but She’s A Machine ran a cracker against males last time out and was running on strongly at the death. Stuart Ferrie’s filly should be in the firing line. Volare E Mambo made a promising local debut on the poly but did get a two-point rise in the handicap for her troubles. She had higher ratings on the Highveld and Mike de Kock’s filly looks to be a strong contender. Safari Lodge was a comfortable maiden winner last run and has been progressing nicely. Gavin Lerena stays with the ride and from a good draw the filly should be competitive. Warrior Royale has improved with every outing can converted the odds over course and distance to shed her maiden.
Love In Winter seldom runs a bad race and is over his optimum trip from a good draw and can round off the meeting. He has a handy galloping weight and should be involved in the finish. Warrior Of Royalty was a well beaten third behind the smart Cats Pajamas last run and can go closer in this company while Immah is lightly raced and beat the luckless Apex Predator last time out who went on to win at his next start. The two meet again. Rugger Lover goes well over this trip and is seldom out of the money and can feature.
