Small fields but some puzzling races face punters on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Tuesday.
It starts in the card opener, where Zalta Star made a promising debut for Garth Puller over a mile on the turf. The switch to the poly over a furlong shorter should see her close. Gary Rich’s Dee Day has been knocking at the door for some time now with her best recent efforts being on the poly. She has a good draw and is over what looks to be her best trip. Sweet Reunion has been trying further but her last run in the soft is best ignored. She is back over a more suitable trip and the switch to poly could suit.
In the second, Head Girl is long overdue and Andre Nel’s mare can finally shed her maiden against what looks to be modest opposition. Biggest threat could come from the Duncan Howells-trained Zena Rose who makes her poly debut from pole position and is back to a sprint. Fantasy League has still to show but Mark Dixon’s filly does look capable up making good improvement and is one to watch in the market.
Louis Goosen is never shy to back up his sprinters if they strip fit and well after the last run and War Empress has her second run in just over a week. She was close-up behind Patants Heir on the Scottsville turf last run but she goes well on the poly over this trip and can open the Pick 6. Gaelic Dancer is a Highveld visitor with Robyn Klaasen’s filly making her poly debut. She has been taking on a little stronger and has a light weight and a favourable draw. Million Voices ran well below best over course and distance last time out but is sure to improve on that showing and the trip suits. Ayuwi Yuwi won well last start under 4kg claimer Damyan Pillay and Garth Puller has kept him aboard. The filly jumps in class but does have a light weight.
Uzwano has shown up well in both starts to date and is still on the improve. Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding was a beaten favourite last run and the extra furlong will suit. However, the KZN stable has been a little quiet of late which is a concern. Frank Robinson’s charge Rollo The Viking has finished in the money in his last four races and although he has tried further at his last two this drop in trip could well suit and he will be a big threat to Uzwano who finished two lengths behind him when the latter was making his debut. Chili Bomb has made some recent improvement since arriving in his new yard and can make the required step up.
The fifth is wide open but Andre Nel’s gelding Faire Advantage is unbeaten on the poly since arriving from the Cape and can keep that record. He has won comfortably in both starts and may still be under the radar on the synthetic surface. Fish Eagle loves the poly hence the move to Gary Rich from Highveld-based Clinton Binda. He has run two smart races for his new yard and has the benefit of a plum draw. National Award has dropped six points in three starts since his maiden win and could now be off a competitive mark over a suitable trip. Highveld visitor Force De Dieu finished runner-up in his poly debut and takes a drop in class which should make him more competitive.
Corne Spies is a regular raider and Linganomore can pay her way in the sixth. She has consistent recent form over the trip and has run well on the poly in what is a wide open fillies and mares handicap. Off Limits is well proven on the poly and only got a three-point rise in the ratings for her last win. She has since run well over course and distance and will have a strong chance in this limited line-up. Alson Ndzilana, a long-time assistant to Joey Ramsden, makes his first raid on KZN and Red Knot can pay her way. She has been showing signs of her best form and Kabelo Matsunyane stays with the ride.
The seventh is a tricky handicap. Allaroundtheworld won well back on his favoured surface and his optimum distance. He is up in the handicap but a repeat can see Gary Rich’s charge go in again. Duke Of Africa came home a street ahead of Blazing Light when last they met and is now 2.5kg worse off at the weights. Stuart Ferrie’s charge is super consistent on the poly but may still may not be able to turn the tables. Send Me was back on his favoured surface after returning from a break and the stable is currently in form while Fine Admiral was a narrow winner of his last two but the three-point rise in the handicap could be his undoing.
Mac Hardy has been making steady progress in recent starts for Andre Nel and can round off the meeting. The gelding has little milage on the clock and this looks to be the ideal race. Kom Naidoo’s gelding Porfirio has been consistent over further but the blinkers are back on and a drop in trip will make him competitive. Phaka Imali is seldom far back and although stepping up in trip he does have a strong money chance. Brass Bell must be one of the lowest rated seven-time winners in the country. The striking grey was a game winner last time out over course and distance and the eight-year-old can add another to his CV.
