South Africa Horse Racing Previews: GREYVILLE POLYTRACK@2023.02.13
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R80.000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPTAIN CORRUPT can turn it around with L’ULTIMO who finished a short distance ahead of him when he was making his local debut. He would have come on from his Polytrack debut and also has the best of the draws. L’ULTIMO has drawn widest this time but is knocking at the door and should run another good race. Stablemate FLAMING DRUM ran a much better race after gelding last time and could make further progress. It will be his first run on the surface. MOON HARVEST ran on well when trying different tactics last time and could enjoy the step up in distance. ZABADAK has drawn well and can earn.
Selections:
#1 Captain Corrupt, #5 Flaming Drum, #4 Moon Harvest, #8 L’Ultimo
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R80.000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Competitive. TELIO tried the poly earlier and may have not been ready for it. She has run some decent races on turf and if bringing the form to the poly could fight it out. Watch out for QUEEN JACKSON who is returning a lengthy layoff. She showed some potential in both starts. STEALTH ATTACK had the widest gate last time and didn’t disgrace herself. She has drawn a lot better and should get the run of the race. MISSION ROCKS gave signs last time she’s ready to improve and may enjoy the distance. SAMSAI ran a better race on the poly and should build on that.
Selections:
#4 Telio, #8 Queen Jackson, #2 Stealth Attack, #6 Mission Rocks
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1800m, Poly, R80.000, 13:50GMT+2
Race Summary: It could get close between DUKE OF AFRICA and DONTSTOPMENOW. The former was expected to need it after a rest and gelding but turned in a forward performance and now stripping fitter and from a plum gate, could open his account. DONTSTOPMENOW stayed on well behind a horse who has come out to win a handicap in good fashion and gives the impression he could do well on the poly. If the above mentioned fluff their lines anything can win. BLAZING LIGHT may finally reward his connections. He has run many decent races without winning. ZAPOTEC, CASH CRUSADE and THE GREEN GALLANT have claims as well.
Selections:
#6 Dontstopmenow, #3 Duke Of Africa, #7 Blazing Light, #1 Zapotec
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Poly, R80.000, 14:25GMT+
Race Summary: STRAIGHT UP has found best form. He won well enough to suggest he can follow up but has yet to win beyond 1900m. The same can be said for SYX HOTFIX who was eye catching when beating the former when they met. He will be trying 2000m for the first time. The pair have secured the best of the draws. BANZAI PIPELINE is proven of the trip and is in good form. But he will prefer a good pace. More can threaten including EVENTIDOR who appears a bit better than his last run and BAYVIEW EXPRESS who didn’t run badly in his comeback race.
Selections:
#2 Straight Up, #1 Syx Hotfix, #8 Banzai Pipeline, #9 Bayview Express
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R80.000, 15:00GMT+2
Race Summary: BIRDWATCHER cut through her field and finally bagged another win. But now she has found top form can follow up. BLUSH OF DAWN and HATTA ran gallant races carrying more weight and were not far off the winner after showing good early speed. At the revised weight terms it could get much closer. SKY CAFE won her maiden the hard way with frontrunning tactics but may enjoy taking a seat and can make a decent handicap debut. She has drawn better than the above mentioned and has scope for improvement. KILEIGH’S FATE must be afforded respect from draw No 1.
Selections:
#4 Birdwatcher, #7 Blush Of Dawn, #3 Sky Cafe, #8 Hatta
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Poly, R80.000, 15:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Probably the most competitive race on the card. HIGH VELOCITY is on a roll and can complete a hat-trick of wins. But stable companion PARMENION caught the eye returning from a rest and had excuses, so could be the one. He has drawn neatly in gate No 1 and should come on nicely. However, RUGGER BUGGER finished alongside and had things go wrong as well. If he gets a clear run at the right time could make the grade. Specialist GENTLEMAN’S WAY is not one to take lightly either. Watch out for WILLIAM RUFUS who battled in the Cape recently but could enjoy the track.
Selections:
#4 Rugger Bugger, #1 Parmenion, #2 High Velocity, #8 William Rufus
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Poly, R80.000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: GRANDE LUPO enjoyed the drop in distance and quickened nicely to shed his maiden tag. He may be figuring things out now and could be well placed on handicap debut. But PURPLE OPERATOR will test him. The latter won well and followed that up with a solid second-place finish. He has a better draw this time. BLESS ME FRED is also knocking at the door and his form lines having been working out very well. If LESLIES PATHTOFAME is ready after a rest, he could mow them down given the chance. Filly HARLEY’S FATE has her work cut out from the widest berth but must be watched.
Selections:
#6 Grande Lupo, #3 Purple Operator, #7 Bless Me Fred, #4 Leslies Pathtofame
Greyville Polytrack, 13.02.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Poly, R80.000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: BIG SLICK made a nice start to his career as a juvenile and was taken to the Western Cape where he didn’t do too badly. He is back in KZN and is definitely the one to watch. TRIBUTE TO YOU relished the faster run 1000m and produced a powerful finish to win going away. He could have more to come. IRON BARK is not one to take lightly. He has a solid record at the course but may just need it after a rest. HOPE IS POWER is better than his recent form and the drop in his merit rating could boost his chances. STAR IN WINTER drew well on her local debut and could enjoy the surface. VALIENTE must have a say as well.
Selections:
#5 Big Slick, #1 Tribute To You, #6 Iron Bark, #7 Hope Is Power
Best Win: #1 CAPTAIN CORRUPT
Best Value Bet: #4 RUGGER BUGGER
Best Longshot: #4 RUGGER BUGGER
