The fields may not be big but as the well-worn saying goes, the smaller the field the bigger the upset.
That maxim could hold true at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday where punters are faced with a seriously tricky card that caters for the lower echelons.
Frank Robinson could get all off to a good start in the first where he saddles Without Doubt in a desperate maiden and his charge could prove to be the best bet on the card. He has by far the best record and should be at the top of the boards. Biggest threat could be Firu Star. Garth Puller’s gelding has ability but not a temperament to match. If he doesn’t boil over at the start, he can be a threat.
The balance will need to show big improvement even to feature in the photo-finish picture.
In the second, Player, no doubt named after one of his owners, the famous golfer Gary Player in whose colours he races, was heavily supported in the market last start over a sprint but the money went astray. He is back over a trip today and making his poly debut. He could repay the losses. Atlantic City has finished in the money at his last three, albeit some distance behind the winner. He meets little of note here while Tommy The Kid found good market support first up on the poly and has shown recent improvement and could be a ‘player’.
Candice Dawson, recently married to international race-caller Alistair Cohen, saddles Banha Bridge who races in the Cohen colours. The gelding comes off some useful Highveld form and if taking to the poly could put them all to sleep. If he doesn’t oblige it becomes difficult with very little between three runners who met recently. Forward Spell has not been out of the money at recent outings and should go close again while Immeasurable has been touched off at his last two on the poly but did get an extra two points for his last effort. Thunder Masala was relatively unfancied in that same event and finished a close up fourth and got a one-point drop in the handicap.
Dean Kannemeyer saddles Boldly Go in the fourth who has good form against much stronger. She takes a corresponding rise in weight with the drop in class but looks more than capable here. Her biggest threat could come from Dennis Drier’s runner Baubles And Beads who raced in feature company last season. She shed her maiden first time of asking over course and distance and will be a big runner. October Song is lightly raced but did show early promise and the switch to the poly could bring out the best in her.
Garth Puller appears to have picked the right race for One Shot Wonder who is back on his favourite surface with a drop in the handicap. He has a light weight and the best of the draw. Visiting Samuel Salt has shown much improved form in blinkers and if he takes to the poly he will be a big threat to the first selection. Veteran galloper Father’s Frost is back on his best surface and has been in good form since returning from a lengthy break and must have a strong chance given his current form.
The sixth is a seriously difficult handicap but Justaguything is back over his favoured course and distance and with a 1.5kg allowance he should put in a big effort. Mini Coop is a Highveld raider who was sent to KZN for the poly track where he shed his maiden in comfortable fashion. He took on stronger at his next outing from a wide draw and was not too far back. Majorca Palace has been consistent in stronger company and has a very much in form jockey aboard while We All Chommies may prefer it a tad shorter but has a light weight and he has been knocking at the door.
In the seventh, Higher Purpose has the worst of the draw but made good improvement from a similar barrier on the turf at Scottsville when in blinkers. He can build on that effort in a weak line-up. Hippocrates scored his last win over course and distance. He has never been far back and rates a strong chance while the mare Evening Rise is back to a sprint on her poly debut. She has a light weight and is one to watch.
The last is another wide-open handicap where the visiting Just As Rich makes his poly debut. He has not been far back on the Highveld and has a light weight too boot. The striking grey White Cedar was desperately unlucky last run from his wide draw and with a bit of luck in running can make it home in front. Count Marsh goes well on the poly and was touched off last start when favourite. This seems to be his best trip. Quest For The Best has been costly to follow but is long overdue a second win. He seems to lack extra when it counts. His best form is over a furlong shorter.
