The increase in stakes announced recently by Hollywood in conjunction with Gold Circle will no doubt have a positive influence on racing in this province as an incentive to owners who were on the sidelines.
The Follow Gold Circle Facebook Class 4, seventh race on the New Year’s day card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville, has a stake of R120k and has attracted a more than useful.
The race could develop into a rematch of Future Flo and Twenty One May but in truth the form goes a little deeper.
Twenty One May shows some promise and was narrowly beaten last time, just behind Future Flow, out but does have to shoulder top weight for Duncan Howells. Kabelo Matsunyane stays aboard which is a positive indication. Future Flo has been a revelation since Michael Roberts put him back over sprint but he is now 1.5kg worse off with Twenty One May on their last meeting which should be enough to turn the tables. Fine One caught the eye in that same race when racing in first time blinkers and could be a threat while Hurricane Cat takes on males but is super quick and with a 4kg claimer up can go one better in a tricky race. 1
In the card opener, Abaddon is returning from a long injury break but the Mike Millar stable reports that he is in good order. He does show ability and meets a modest line-up. World Of Hope raced green when not too far back on debut and is sure to improve from a pole position draw while Catavar has shown flashes of ability and the apprentice is replaced by Mathew Thackery which could make the difference. Stable companion to World Of Hope, Gorgeous Bomber has Gavin Lerena aboard and one to watch in the betting.
The lightly raced Prince Florian is lightly raced but has been showing signs of improvement and could be one of the better bests on the card. He meets a modest field and Serino Moodley has jumped ship on Flying Hafla to partner Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding. Mike de Kock has pitted Flying Hafla against males but she has been in good form against her own sex and does not meet a strong field. She should be in the money. Lava Burst has shown recent improvement in blinkers for Garth Puller and can feature on his best effort.
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky handicap but Woza Nawe is a recent maiden winner where she started at 1-3 odds for Peter Muscutt and won convincingly with first time blinkers. She was not disgraced in top company early in her career and although she has drawn wide she does look progressive. Radu is drawn deepest of all but Wendy Whitehead’s filly was close-up behind the promising Ladyofdistinction last time out and if Rachel Venniker can overcome the draw she will be a big runner. Ethereal View has come good at recent starts albeit in the poly. She does have a handy draw which will help her cause. She’s A Machine started favourite over course and distance last time out but that run is best ignored and she will have a good chance on her previous showings.
In the fourth, Bob has improved on his Highveld form since joining Gareth van Zyl’s yard and was finishing off nicely over 1400m last run. This trip should suit in spite of top weight. King Bavarian was a beaten favourite last run but has been super consistent of late. He goes well over course and distance and with a light weight could finally reap his just rewards. Connoisseur has been coming to hand again and looks primed for this race while Galaxy Explorer is struggling for his next win but has not been far back at recent outings and took on stronger last run. Gavin Lerena rides for Tony Rivalland.
Roaming Spirit has been in the money in all four starts for Mike de Kock and a beaten favourite at her last two. She should enjoy the step up in trip and has a strong chance in what is a competitive maiden in the fifth. White Waters has her first outing for Mike Miller after showing some consistent Cape Form which could prove a little bit stronger than the local equivalent. La Vida Loca found her last start beyond her compass and Glen Kotzen has brought her back to what looks to be a more suitable trip.
The last two handicaps on the card could prove to be a punter’s nightmare. In the sixth Iron Will has shown signs of coming to hand and the extra furlong will suit Alyson Wright’s gelding who does have good form on the turf. Kom Naidoo saddles Porfirio who has been knocking on the door for some time now. Most of his recent form has been on the poly but the switch in surface could bring out the best. Mac Hardy is another poly specialist given his recent form but he too could come well on the turf. He was narrowly beaten last start when doing his best work late and the extra furlong should suit. Gary Rich sends out Phaka Imali whose last run is best ignored given his previous form however, he too is something of a poly specialist.
The last is wide open but Swiss Paradise has smart form on the poly and if she can carry that through onto the turf she will have a strong chance in this line-up. Dawn Surprise has been consistent of late and has been dropping slowly in the ratings. She does go well on the turf. Darryl Moore sends out Quentasia who has been improving with every outing of late and looks primed for this. All three have deep draws to contend with. Copacabana showed some improvement with a tongue-tie and blinkers and the extra furlong could suit but this race is something of a lottery.
