A banker in exotic bets is always gold when limiting spend and Gareth van Zyl could provide the ideal banker in Theappleofmyeye in the fourth on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Monday. The form looks a little thin but Theappleofmyeye has improved with each outing and Van Zyl’s filly looks the part.
Dangers could be Trip To Nebraska who may be compromised by a wide draw but does go well on the poly and the trip does suit. Sacred Lily has shown some ability and goes well over the trip.
The card opener is a tricky maiden but Garth Puller saddles Plinian who showed up well on debut and found some good market support. Drawn well he can go one better. Seattle Ripper made a promising debut in the soft on this course and should come on with the outing and will be a threat. Paul Matchett saddles the filly Si Veloce that has improved in blinkers and showed further improvement on the poly and is one to watch while Champonelle improved at his second start for Michael Roberts and is another that is in with a winning chance.
Fairy Tripp made marked improvement at long odds for Glen Kotzen at only her second start and Fourie takes the ride in the second. She should run well as she switches to the poly. Stealth Attack is hardly ever out of the money but has had her chances. However, she goes well on the poly and Alyson Wright’s charge must have a decent shout. However, Piece By Piece has not been far back in three starts on the turf. She was well supported in the market last outing and must have a strong chance.
Patteia can kick off the Pick 6 but has plenty of opposition. Peter Muscutt’s runner has run two smart race and has the best of the draw. He should make another bold showing. Explosive Speed finished behind Patteia when last they met but Dean Kannemeyer’s charge was making his debut and is likely to make good improvement. King’s Stand is another big runner. He needed his last run when returning from a break and a trip up from Cape Town. He should be competitive.
The fifth marks the start of the handicaps and it becomes a lot more difficult. Ingakara has been in good form of late and is overdue a win. MJ Odendaal has stuck with journeyman rider Nicholas Patel who is due a win. Duncan Howells sends out two runners. Shaken Not Stirred took on much stronger last outing and had consistent form over course and distance prior to that. She rates a winning chance. So does stable companion French Princess. She tends to only get going late and this trip from a good draw may suit. Saturn Moon has the worst of the draw but was close-up over course and distance last run and has a strong chance again.
The sixth is a wide open handicap and both Gardenia and Boogie Shoes were having their first run since their trainers were forced to relocate to Summerveld. Both mares are at home over course and distance and should come on from their last showings although the form suggests that there are a few better. Sea Goddess has run two cracking races since switching back to the poly and looks a lively runner for Louis Goosen. Sing For Winter has come good since switching to the poly and must have a strong chance along with Manic Monday with Paul Lafferty’s filly close-up second first up on the poly.
Sean Tarry sends out Efficient in the seventh and has taken to the poly. She goes well over course and distance. Sean Tarry’s filly takes a slight drop in class as does Hippocrates who was close up against much stronger last time out. Stuart Ferrie appears to have targeted the right race.
In the last, Ice Kingdom has been up against stronger at recent outings and not been far behind. The drop in class can see Paul Lafferty’s runner home. However, he will face stiff opposition. Vaughan Marshall has removed the blinkers from the grey Valdemort who has had a consistent KZN campaign but could pay his way here while Nelson Bay was a recent maiden winner but looks to be progressive and won well first up on the poly.
