It’s a turf/poly meeting at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday where the Best bet could come in the first where Dean Kannemeyer sends out the striking Ideal World filly Meritorious. She made her debut on the poly and finished off her race in fine style to beat the well-fancied Fate Decreed.
The switch to turf and an extra furlong should be right up her alley.
Doug Campbell saddles Sascha’s Dream who enjoyed the step up in trip after making a fair sprint debut. Meritorious apart, she takes on some struggling older runners and could prove the biggest threat to the selection. Pink Diamond found some sudden market support before drifting off the boards at her last start which was a little puzzling. However, she has shown recent improvement and may be worth watching.
The first leg of the PA is a competitive handicap but Louis Goosen could hold the whip hand with Rodriguez who has been running well against stronger at recent starts. The drop in class goes with a corresponding rise in the weights but he is in a good space and should run a forward race. Fish Eagle was much improved in his first start for Gary Rich. He too is down in class and the change of scenery appears to have brought out his better form. Tienie Prinsloo’s grey Palermo has shown his best recent form on the poly but he is in good shape and must rate a decent chance. One Irish Rover has been close-up in his last two on the poly. That form has panned out quite well and although he jumps in class he does have a light weight.
Preemptive Strike is something of a poly specialist but Stuart Ferrie’s charge is in good form over the trip. He has his 40th start and has won five times, four more than most of the opposition. John Buckler saddles Boom Shakalaka for Glen Kotzen and the gelding was sent out favourite first run out of the maidens. He did not get the best of passages and can make amends. Rhythm has been confined mostly to five furlongs but has never been too far back. He has the best of the draw and is relatively lightly raced. Barry Du Grond was a recent maiden winner but Robbie Hill’s charge had been knocking at the door for some time and now appears to have come to hand.
Racing switches to the poly and in the fourth that sees Mind Map starting for the Kotzen stable who made a promising local debut when tried on the poly and sporting first time cheek pieces. He meets a modest field. Mc Dazzler has been costly to follow and appears to wave the white flag when challenged but does have the best record in the race. He drops back to a sprint which could be what he’s looking for. River Dance has come on at his last two. He is possibly held by Mind Map on their last meeting but does look capable of turning the tables.
Ladybug has won two of her four starts for Andre Nel’s yard, both wins coming on the poly. She copped a seven-point rise in the weights for that last win but looks more than capable in this line-up. Michael Roberts saddles three runners, best of which could be Siberian Winter with regular rider Rachel Venniker aboard. After shedding her maiden on debut she ran in feature company for the rest of her two-year-old season. She caught the eye when making her seasonal debut behind Icy Lancaster and she should be competitive in this field. Skytrix has been in the money at her last three starts although over a furlong further. However, she should be competitive in this line-up.
In the sixth, Rollo The Viking trailed in a distant second last run and possibly did not see out the 2300m trip. He has done well over shorter and if he can bring that form to the poly he must have a strong chance in a weak maiden. Iron Monger is a long-time battler but was much improved last time out. The poly should suit as an older horse and if he can hold form he must have a big chance. Rainwater has not been too far back of late and the step up in trip in a weak field can see him into the money.
Pleasedtoseeyou is lightly raced gelding that made a smart local debut over course and distance. He should come on from that effort and could give the Nel stable a double. Go Grayson Go improved nicely second time out although a well beaten second. He makes his poly debut but does look progressive. Real War disappointed when making his poly debut but has been a little costly to follow. He does have ability and cannot be ignored lightly. Firelighter has been much improved at his last two. He gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and is another to consider.
Rich can round off the afternoon with Bennie In The Area who has hardly put a foot wrong in recent outings and the form has held up reasonably well. He has the best of the draw and is over his favourite course and distance. Irish Luck has been close-up in his last four starts on the poly. He has gone close over course and distance and must have a strong chance here. Sweeper Keeper is 1.5kg better off with Rafiki when last they met beaten a short head. Wendy Whiteheads runner should be able to turn the tables. Rafiki is a late bloomer having won his last two as a five-year-old. However, he got a five pound shunt up the handicap for his last effort which could put paid to his chances.
