Follow the form on Wednesday 26 January at Greyville and fill the kitty, seems the way to go. And there’s no better place to start than in Race 1, a Qualified Maiden over 1200m.
Grey View has run up close to horses like Mr Master Starter, Humdinger (giving her 6kgs) and Purple Flame – all feature runners – and now meets a field more of his ilk.
Get Carter has good form, and the best of the draws, so should attract attention but he has been beaten in weak fields. The result is that Grey View should be offered at decent odds. Back him in the opener.
With blinkers fitted, Head Gardener absolutely flew in the final stages of his last race and, more importantly, had settled earlier in that race. If he repeats that performance, he will be hard to beat in Race 3, a Maiden Plate over 1800m. He was expected to win earlier but had since disappointed until now.
The filly Royal Oasis is weighted to beat him on official ratings, but she has not been convincing and, more so, has regressed in ratings while Head Gardener is on the way up.
Another well-bred three-year-old expected to win perhaps more than just a few races is Heartsease. She has been a bit disappointing having won only one of her eleven starts to date. However, considering her pedigree, she should be a better competitor once matured. She looks to be the right one to back in Race 4, a FM67 Handicap over 1900m as she has finished ahead of both dangers Isla Morada and Chelsea Flower.
The value proposition on the day has to be Cape Eagle in the last race of the day, a MR73 Handicap over 1200m.
This race is probably the toughest on the card to call as all of Two Of Us, Knight Warrior, Justaguything, Purple Powahouse, Brazil Nut and Parktown are strong on form. Thrice raced Cape Eagle, however, has scope for big improvement. He was impressive on debut and confirmed with a convincing win and even though needing his last race still ran a fair third on his poly debut.
Preview by Clive Robinson
