Punters face another competitive card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday in spite of many of the races having attracted small fields.
Heading the card is the Greyville Convention Centre Handicap with only eight runners but it doesn’t make things any easier. Peter Muscutt saddles Bevies Delight who has always shown promise but comes with her fair share of problems. However, Muscutt has persevered and she made an excellent comeback after a year’s absence when going down less than a length to No Filter. If she can repeat that effort she could prove difficult to beat.
Mark Dixon saddles two runners, best of which could be Captain’s Christy who was staying on well over course and distance last time out. She takes on slightly stronger but does look capable. Shipholia is quick but Gareth van Zyl’s filly does appear suspect over 1200m. But if the pace pans out and there is no speed on, she comes in with a strong chance. Dixon has a second string to his bow in Get In The Q who has come down a little in the handicap and although taking on stronger, has the benefit of a handy weight.
In the first Captainship has the widest draw but MJ Odendaal’s colt is lightly raced and made good improvement with first time blinkers. Top Gun has run his two best races on this course and was not disgraced from the widest draw last time out. Paul Lafferty has him back over a sprint. Paved With Gold caught the eye on debut when running on late behind runaway stable companion Mc Dazzler. He should come on with the experience while Whereverilaymyhat goes well on this course. He has been trying further but looks to have a strong money chance.
Got The Fever is lightly raced and goes well this trip. Lafferty’s filly was beaten less than a lengthy when taking on males last time out and can do better against her own sex. Nautical Landing has been knocking at the door for some time now and due a change of fortune. Although most of her form has been on the poly, she stays the trip well. Grand Occasion seems better than her last run over much further and can do better over this shorter trip while Zalta Star is a Highveld raider and Alec Laird’s only runner on the day. She goes this trip for the first time and has shown some promise.
One of the better bets on the card could come in the opening leg of the Pick 6 where Mike de Kock saddles Tyrconnell who has run two smart races over course and distance and was touched off last run. He can make amends in what is a competitive handicap. Dean Kannemeyer sends out the lightly raced Bugalugs who is a lightly raced four-year-old and is improving slowly. This trip should suit and he has the best of the draw. I Salute You showed up well first run in handicap company and Muscutt has booked the very much in form Gavin Lerena for the ride.
Mark Dixon has a definite preference for the turf and has a number of runners on the card including Jazz Festival in the fourth who is in a good space of late and was not disgraced in third, beaten less than a length, when taking on stronger last time out. However, both Kimbal O’Hara and Pongola have not been far back at recent outings and the weights suggest that there will be very little to choose between the trio. Shotgun Willie ran well below best behind Jazz Festival last time out but given his previous form, he too comes strongly into the picture.
The fifth is another wide open handicap where Dixon sends out Hot Strike who has been consistent of late and is now 2kg better off with Givers Grace who was a comfortable winner last time out and has made steady improvement in blinkers. These two should be in the shake-up again but may have to get past English Primrose. Gary Rich’s filly has been runner-up at her last three to slightly weaker but of some concern is that all her recent form has been on the poly. Mystique Rouge has some patchy form but MJ Odendaal has backed her up in a week after her close-up second last Sunday. Roy’s Rocker has been starting at long odds of late but her best recent effort was behind Givers Grace when beaten less than two lengths. She has a light weight and a repeat could see her win at long odds.
Fort J’adore has the widest draw in the seventh, another competitive handicap, but this is only an eight-horse field so it should not prove too much of an issue. Wendy Whitehead’s mare is over her preferred trip and should put in another good shift. Miss Paget has been confined to the poly of late but is over her best trip and the recent rains will have taken the sting out of the ground which could suit. Copacabana improved nicely second run after a break. She is lightly raced and showed promise early in her career. Regeneration won well on debut and could be anything so best watch the betting here. She is Jabu Jacobs only ride.
The last is another difficult race but although Imposing has drawn wide he has been close-up in two starts since a break. Michael Roberts’s gelding has a light weight, over his best trip and has his peak run. Muscutt appears to have got on top of Neitherherenother’s problems and bids for a third straight win. However, he got a hefty nine-point shunt up the handicap which is a concern. Mister Master Starter has been costly to follow but has been running on late over shorter. Stable rider Craig Zackey has opted for stable companion Dynalley but a change of pilot could bring out the best in Mister Master Starter. Phutulicious is seldom far back and although up in class he was beaten less than a length over a sprint last time out and with the best of the draw over his preferred distance he should be competitive.
