Small fields are the order of the day on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly but there is still some competitive racing that will keep punters on their toes.
Mc Dazzler can kick off proceedings. He took an age to shed his maiden and in some quarters was in danger of being labeled a ‘thief’. That all changed last time out as Craig Zackey took Dean Kannemeyer’s runner to the front at a solid gallop and he was not for the catching. He takes on a much stronger field here but if the ratings are correct he looks well in with apprentice Brevan Plaatjies taking 2.5kg off his back and a postage stamp of 50kg.
Future Flo was in a similar position to Mc Dazzler until Michael Roberts dropped him to a sprint where he is unbeaten in two and nicely weighted with Rachel Venniker’s allowance. Warrior Of Royalty will be a threat given his current form and was a close-up second when favourite last time out. Ibhele could be the dark horse. He had a difficult draw to contend with in his comeback run after a lengthy break but starting at 50-1 nothing was expected by Louis Goosen. With that run under his girth in a small field from a good draw, he will be a contender if anywhere near his best.
King Bavarian has obviously recovered from a bout of azoturia which saw him scratched from last week’s card and will be a fancied runner in the second. Alyson Wright’s charge has been battling for his second win but with only 53.5kg to shoulder he must have a strong chance in this line-up in spite of being near the bottom of the handicap. Duke Of Africa is another struggling for his second win but has been paying his way for Frank Robinson with a string of placed runs. He was behind promising stable companion Field Marshal at his penultimate start and a repeat can see him close. Top weight Blazing Light has patchy form but was staying on behind Allaroundtheworld last time out and Rachel Venniker stays with the ride. Rainwater is still a maiden but appeared to enjoy the trip om the poly last time out and the lightly raced son of Futura is one to watch in the betting.
Mike Miller has set punters a puzzle in the opening leg of the Pick 6 with his two runners Bel Giocatore and Twilight Bay. The latter has shown promise and was a beaten favourite last run when tried in blinkers for the first time. However, stable first call rider Tristan Godden has jumped ship to partner Bel Giocatore who has improved at her last two and she could be the pick of the pair. Yellow Jacket is seldom far off and although seemingly well held by Twilight Bay on their last meeting, the step up in trip may now be what Kom Naidoo’s filly is looking for. Sanbeenee was on offer at 150-1 at her last start but major improvement when stepped up in trip. Garth Puller’s yard is in good form of late and the filly can build on that last showing
Faire Advantage ran out a comfortable winner when making his poly debut. Rachel Venniker takes the ride on the top weight and he can follow up in the fourth. Brave Bomber has improved with every outing and was a comfortable maiden winner last time out. He got a hefty rating for his handicap debut but does look progressive. Forest Jump has been a soldier for Darryl Moore and his last win was not out of turn. However, he did get a four-point rise in the handicap and back in a bracket where he has been struggling. Wave Warrior was in contention all the way to the line behind Lucretius last Wednesday where the blinkers came off and replaced by cheek pieces. He has steady form over course and distance and should be up there again.
Ginger Delight could be one of the better best in the fifth. She comes in with joint top weight but the daughter of Canford Cliffs won well first time out on the poly when making her debut for Dean Kannemeyer. She has won two of her four starts and the manner of her last win suggests that she can follow up. Ethereal View has come on nicely at recent outings and was a comfortable winner over course and distance last run. Mike Miller’s filly looks progressive and she must have a good chance of following up. Safe And Sound is another lightly raced filly who is at home over course and distance. Kabelo Matsunyane stays with the ride for Duncan Howells.
Royal Swan Master is overdue after a string of close-up finishes when tried in blinkers on the poly. Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding has been a beaten favourite at his last two but he is down in class and even top weight should not be enough to stop him in the sixth. Biggest threat should be Irish Luck who was game in defeat when trying to chase down Benni In The Area. He was staying on stoutly in the finish and the step up to a mile could bring out the best.
The seventh could be a toss-up between Ocean Palace and Thesupernovastar. Ocean Palace was well beaten by Thesupernovastar when last they met but Kom Naidoo’s filly got a hefty seven-point rise in the handicap for her efforts. Naidoo has booked a 4kg claimer to mitigate but Dennis Bosch has booked Rachel Venniker and it remains to be seen if the swing in the weights will see Ocean Palace turn the tables. Drive By is always game and steps up to 1400m. The daughter of Rafeef is a five-time winner and should be competitive in this line-up.
There are not many runners with form to commend them in this Maiden Handicap but Amor Fati can make amends for his disappointing showing last time out when starting favourite. He was reported to be fatigued after the race with Craig Zackey easing him out of the contest. He is back over a more suitable trip and likely to start favourite. Sovereign Command was a well beaten favourite when Amor Fati finished second at their previous meeting. However, he gets first time blinkers and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Catavar is a struggling maiden but has shown some recent improvement and Tony Rivalland has booked a 4kg claimer which could make him competitive.
