Many of the Kimberley-based trainers called it a day after Phumelela decided that it was a drag on their budget. Some have hung in but only Tienie Prinsloo has made a go of it in KZN since relocating. He will be the first to admit that it has been a struggle but he battles on and Magic Prince could wave his wand for him in the card opener on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
The race is loaded with first timers but the form of the balance is thin to say the least but of those that have run Magic Prince, having his first run for Prinsloo has shown ability on the Highveld. He has a tricky draw but should go well in this modest line-up. Gary Rich sends out Benni In The Area, named after the Bafana Bafana striker, who has not been far back at recent outings. He has a fair draw and is at home over the trip. Of the first timers, Mike Miller sends out New Spirit who may be worth following.
In the second, Tabacconist has the worst of the draw in this Maiden Handicap but has been making steady progress. He was staying on well from a tough draw last time out and MJ Odendaal has booked light-weight apprentice Siphesihle Hlengwa as the gelding only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Wendy Whitehead saddled a double at Greyville last Wednesday and King Bavarian has been knocking on the door at recent outings, also, Muzi Yeni has jumped off Wildstyle who improved last run but is a long-time maiden. Master Lincoln should be right there with title-chasing Richard Fourie aboard for KZN champion trainer Garth Puller.
Paul Matchett’s stable has been in good form of late and Queen Bomi with Craig Zackey up is the one to beat in the third. Although well beaten at her last two she was taking on much stronger. Her best recent effort has been over course and distance where she was touched off. English Primrose landed an old fashion coup when Wayne Badenhorst’s filly found support from 16-1 to start 6-1 with Muzi Yeni up. She only got a two-point penalty for the win and Yeni stays aboard off a light weight.
Bayview Express should start at the top of the boards for Yogas Govender in the fourth after finishing a close-up second over course and distance at his last two starts. Dennis Bosch has been relatively quiet with few runners over Champions Season but he could get his season rolling with Riccardo who is back over his favoured course and distance and has a good draw. Safe Space was not far back in his handicap debut and has 4kg claimer James Lihaba aboard.
Things get a lot more difficult from here on. Just Virginia has been knocking at the door and was running on well when finishing second to much stronger on this course last time out. She is overdue a second win and this could be her day. Matchett will be hoping for a double with Pretty In Pearls who made sudden improvement last run and has a light weight. She makes her poly debut and rider Sean Veale will be spending time in the sauna to make this weight. Mysterious Girl won well on the turf last time out but she was raised eight points in the handicap which should bring her back to the likes of You Deserve It and Blazing Astute who were behind her that day.
Clinton Binda trains off his private establishment straight off the sand so the poly is his favoured surface. Dontshootthebarman is not the easiest according to Binda but is back on his favourite surface and was touched off in a tight finish last time out. Trafalgar Square has the widest draw to contend with but the gelding is seldom out of the money and rates a strong chance in this line-up. Carl Hewitson has Majorca Palace back over his best trip and although drawn one inside of Trafalgar Square he has a strong money chance. Magwinya could be the dark horse. He has had two starts for Gary Rich which were improved efforts on his previous form and he can make strong claims.
The seventh is a tricky handicap but Poppy Of Bayeux is over her best course and distance and has a handy weight to go with it. She must have a strong chance for Duncan Howells. Dennis Bosch saddles Poursomesugaronme who started favourite last time out but ran into the speedy Red Roses Too who found her best form. She has some useful form in stronger company but gives Poppy Of Bayeux 4.5kg. Bright Star has the widest draw to contend with but has been consistent for Nathan Kotzen. She has won on the poly from a tough draw.
In the last, Mister Master Starter takes on a couple of poly specialists. Blackwhitedynamite had his last two wins on this surface and Richard Fourie teams up with Peter Muscutt. He race in first time blinkers last outing but got an eight-point rise in the handicap for his efforts. However, he still has a handy weight and can follow up. Mister Master Starter makes his poly debut and was not far back in feature company last time out. Craig Zackey is looking for his first winner for his new boss Dean Kannemeyer and this could be it. Stuart Ferrie saddles Proud Master who has the widest draw but also loves the poly, his last two wins coming on this surface.
