Small fields are the order of the day on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly on Wednesday but punters are faced with come competitive racing. None more so than the Follow In The Box Seat Podcast MR 68 Handicap where there could be a sniff of revenge in the air.
Lucretius is up against Living Waters and there was a short head between them when they met last week and a subsequent objection over-ruled. The latter is now 1kg better off in the handicap and should be able to turn the tables. Lucretius gave Cole Dicken the 60th win of his career.
However, there is more to this race. Alyson Wright saddles Eventidor who has found form again and goes well over course and distance. Keagan de Melo, who is getting first call on Hollywood Syndicate horses, has jumped ship from Lord Minver who found traffic last run and can do better. Thunder Mzala gives the Hollywood Syndicate and Garth Puller a strong had as he goes well over course and distance and was narrowly beaten last run.
New Zealand-bound Warren Kennedy is keeping his fitness up before his work visa comes through and will be keen to get home on Secret Giver for Gavin van Zyl. The gelding is seldom out of the money and loves the poly.
In the seventh Tony Rivalland sends out Mr Henley to take on some seasoned older runners in his seasonal debut. Mr Henley run off a high handicap rating from the widest draw, however, he does look smart and gets the benefit of the doubt in spite of returning from a break. Justaguything was closing rapidly in the finish of his last run with a first-time compression mask. The extra furlong should suit given that showing. Father’s Frost and Knight Warrior both got a hefty shunt up the handicap after their last showings but both go very well over course and distance and both have winning chances.
Robbie Hill could have the key to the last. Count Marsh won with plenty in hand over course and distance last run and although he is up in the handicap he is in good form and can go in again. Possible danger is the striking grey White Cedar. At his last start he broke through the pens and galloped a long way before being reloaded. He was in contention until the last 300m and with only 49kg to shoulder he could go all the way. One Shot Wonder is showing signs of coming to hand again and should enjoy the extra furlong while Global Secret takes on males but has been making steady improvement and is not out of it.
The card opener has many first timers so watch the betting but although Doug Campbell’s runner Moon Harvest disappointed second time out, that was on turf after making a smart debut on the poly at long odds. He is back on the poly. Anotherdayinafrica showed up well last run with a claiming apprentice up behind the promising Imposing. He is lightly raced but looks to be in the right race here. Sirens Of Silence has been improving steadily and was close-up when trying the poly although over a furlong further. He looks primed for this.
Johnny’s Hope was on the wrong end of an optimistic objection when going down narrowly on the poly last run. He has been knocking on the door and Kom Naidoo’s stable is in good form. Political Party switches to the poly but has been touched off at his last two. He should make another bold bid while Power Star made sudden improvement when tried in cheek pieces. Two modest efforts on the poly but the cheek pieces could be the key to his better effort.
In the third, Aerial View has been taking on stronger at recent outings and she has improved on the poly. The Gary Rich-trained You Deserve It made marked improvement first up on the poly for her new stable. That was her first outing after a lengthy break and sure to come on from that effort. Name Of The Game is struggling for her next win but did improve last run and has taken a big drop in the handicap while Winter Melody is back on her favourite surface.
A small but tricky field faces the starter in the fifth but Beckoning Beauty is back on her preferred surface for Louis Goosen and with a 4kg claimer up she could prove difficult to catch. Marquette also seems better on the poly but is definitely better than her last run. She has dropped slightly in the handicap which is obviously in her favour. Ethiopian Queen has found her best form over course and distance and although she has gone up in the handicap she now gets a 4kg claimer up. Sweet Symphony won well last run on the turf and now faces some quick opposition on the poly carrying top weight while Sting Ray needed her last run and is another that must come into the equation.
It could prove wise to load up in the exotics in the sixth where there are plenty in with chances. Valiente is likely to start at generous odds for Peter Muscutt but the gelding found good market support last run. He is not the easiest but has come right down in the handicap and has a handy weight. Trafalgar Square has come good of late and goes very well over course and distance. The Dennis Bosch stable is also in good form and his charge has a plum draw. Phinda Mzala has consistent Highveld form but has done well on the poly and should feature. Blue Eyes is also coming down in the handicap and the switch to the poly could suit in a difficult handicap.
