Clive Robinson
The exploits of former KwaZulu-Natal based Arumugam in recent high-level marathons on the Highveld has put the stable of trainer Weiho Marwing in the spotlight.
The veteran trainer has his yard in good form and raids KwaZulu-Natal with six runners on Wednesday 4 January, when eight races will be contested on the Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack.
His six runners will aim to dominate what is regarded as a rather weak pool, with Looking Hot (Race 1) and Time For Charity (Race 3) probably his best.
Looking Hot runs in an MR67 handicap over 1000m. She earlier had Magicallee 0,80-lengths behind at level weights when an unlucky loser to Vision Of Will. She conceded a better gate to the winner and was beaten a nose. More importantly, Magicallee won her subsequent start with relevant ease and thereafter also finished 0,85-lengths behind Addiena when conceding 3,5kg.
Addiena could jump as favourite here as she has been in hot form on the poly this season but may battle to give Looking Hot 0,5kg and a beating. Looking Hot looks worth a solid each way bet.
Time For Charity is experimenting as she tries the poly for the first time. Her last run suggests she could be a natural on this surface. She was tried with blinkers and stayed in contention for much of the way before being outrun by the form choice at the Vaal.
While that field may not have been high class, the field she meets today is decidedly weaker and she stands out. After all, she is the highest rated in this 1200m Maiden Handicap for fillies and mares.
Looking Hot and Time For Charity is by all accounts the best chance for a double on the day for the yard.
In Race 2, a Maiden Handicap over 1100m, Tiger In Red, like Time For Charity, has a pedigree with strong international influence, however, Rafiki and Saka Gold could be too strong for this colt. Swingers and Exactas are the suggested bets here.
Gin And Tonic (Race 6) has won from the widest berth at this venue before, so she could be the best value proposition for the yard, while Angel’s Wish (Race 7) looks the dark horse in her line up despite not yet winning over a mile.
Splash Of Green could end the day on a high for Marwing as she has run solid races off higher ratings on the poly in the past.
