Clive Robinson
Athandiwe ‘Ant’ Mgudlwa could be the man to follow on the Polytrack at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday.
Famous for riding the Jackpot in KwaZulu-Natal earlier in his career Mgudlwa has had a few dry spells, but recent form suggests a turnaround and trainers are taking notice. In a recent double at Greyville on the turf aboard Pascali and Teichman over 1200m and 1800m respectively he showed he has masterful timing, not forgetting the thriller he won aboard Mr Molony at a previous meeting.
While he only has one ride in the first four races and Race 2’s runner, Vorticity, looks to have little to no chance, Mgudlwa should be more than pleased about the rides he has secured for Races 5, 6 and 8.
In Race 5, a MR 68 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m, he rides Winter Destiny. This What A Winter filly is in the form of her life having won her last two in style, and even though upped a mammoth eight merit rated points, she looks good enough to go in again.
It’s hard to see Area Fifty One and Toto turn the form around with even if 4kg better off for a three and 3.80 length respective beatings.
Hope Is Power could be the value proposition on the card. This four-year-old gelding has been taking on strong fields for the longest time and now taking a massive drop in class could get his confidence boosted.
He has drawn widest in Race 6, a MR 81 Handicap over 1000m, but in his last start he atypically showed plenty pace (which also speaks volumes for his current well-being) and this may be the race for him.
Zinikele is probably the best of them. She may have taken her time to learn the trade but her winning last start suggests she is in a different league.
Not only did she beat the odds by winning from the widest draw on the Polytrack but she won easing up after producing a bloodless turn of foot.
She could be better than her merit rating of 88.
It may not be a jackpot of top rides but it may still be a memorable afternoon for Mgudlwa.
