There look to be some fair bets in the first couple of races on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly card next Wednesday.
In the card opener looks to be a straight fight between One Path and Nautical Landing. Nautical Landing has only been out of the money once in six starts, stays the trip and is well acquainted with the poly. Tristan Godden is also riding with a lot of confidence so Mike Miller’s charge gets the nod. One Path comes from the very much in form yard of Frank Robinson and was a close-up second last time out. She was doing her best work late so the extra furlong should be right up her alley.
In the second, Isikwishikwishi made steady improvement leading up to his maiden win last time out but copped a rating of 83 for his troubles and so carries top weight in his handicap debut. However, he does look progressive and can follow up in this line-up. L’Ultimo was run out of it late by veteran galloper Forest Jump last time out but had excuses with the third horse hanging onto him. However, he goes very well over course and distance and is a big runner for Michael Roberts. The Grey Brass Bell is always game and looks held by L’Ultimo on their last meeting. However, he is better off at the weights and has a light weight.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap but Strathclyde is overdue and ran a smart race behind the more than useful Gladatorian last time out. He switches to the poly from the best of the draw and Tony Rivalland has engaged Rachel Venniker to take some pudding off his back. Officer In Command ran out of steam late in the Michaelmas Handicap and Mike de Kock has brought him back to a much shorter trip over which he has been effective in the past. Dean Kannemeyer has two lively runners in Spelling Bee and William Rufus both in with chances. The former is 1.5kg better off with Officer In Command on their last meeting but this shorter trip could favour Officer In Command. Giambattista has been cleverly placed by Wendy Whitehead, winning his last two on the poly, but he took a four-point rise in the handicap for his last win and arguably faces a lot stronger.
Royal Swan Master could be one of the better bets on the card. He is a bit of a poly specialist and has finished runner-up in his last three on the surface. He was touched off at his last two and could finally get over the line. Etiquette could start at juicy odds as he goes well over course and distance and has been up against slightly stronger at recent outings. He looks to be the pick of Garth Puller’s pair. Woodland Glade is a filly taking on males from the widest draw but is 3kg better off with African Dusk on their last meeting and although fairly well beaten it was a run a little below par. Shoefella has come good of late with blinkers and a switch to the poly. However, he did take a hefty eight-point rise in the handicap for his last win which could bring his winning streak to an end.
The fifth sees many in with chances. There should not be much between veteran Banzai Pipeline and the younger Mvelelo was a neck between them when last they met when taking on a little stronger than they meet here. Gath Puller’s gelding a 0.5kg better off at the weights but whether that will be enough to see the placings switched, only the race will tell. Few Dollars More has been much improved on the poly and was beaten by the much improved Shoefella last time out. He should have a bright chance in this line-up. Khanyisa Indlela has been in good form and cannot be written off lightly.
Greenlightalltheway got has hefty handicap rating after her maiden win but she has come good in KZN after showing little in the Cape. She switches to the poly but does look progressive in spite of her narrow maiden win and can go in again when she starts in the sixth. Born Ready makes her local debut for Yogas Govender after showing fair Cape form. She has drawn a little wide and makes her poly debut but she does stay the trip and if all goes well she should be in the firing line. Way To Burn goes well on the poly and was a beaten favourite over course and distance last run. She should make a bold bid. The Queen Bee was run out of it late when starting at long odds last time out. She has drawn wide and takes to the poly but she cannot be left out of any calculations.
In the seventh Moya Wa Linga finished in front of the grey Voldemort last time out in a tricky seventh and goes well over course and distance. He has the widest draw but that should not be a problem in a small field. Bugalugs is a lightly raced four-year-old. He takes to the poly for the first time and the synthetic surface could suit given his late start to racing. Voldemort has been a victim of his consistency as he has hardly dropped in the handicap and took a one-point drop for a distant seventh last time out. He drops a furlong in trip here and with Rachel Venniker also helping from the saddle this could be his race although he is not without opposition.
Million Voices can round off the afternoon. She has been knocking at the door in her three runs back since a break. She has been given some relief in the handicap and is over what looks to be her best trip. Vision To Achieve is back over her optimum trip. She shows good pace and the switch to the poly and a drop in class could see her overcome top weight. Sweet Julia has the widest draw to contend with and has been a beaten favourite at her last four outings. The draw is a concern but first time blinkers could finally bring out the best. Recent maiden winner Hurricane Cat won well on the poly that does look to be her best surface. From the best of the draw she could go all the way.
