It may be a good idea to get in early at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday to build a bank for the tail end of what looks to be a difficult card where Duncan Howells may be the trainer to follow.
You are unlikely to get rich in the first where a small field lines up and barring any ‘springers’ Garth Pullers colt Plinian should start at cramped odds and be difficult to beat. He has been close-up in all three of his outings over this distance and was narrowly beaten last time out. Of those that have run, Darryl Moore’s Bomber Stream has consistent form over the trip and Plinian aside he meets modest opposition and must have a strong money chance. B Fiftytwo looks held by Plinian on recent showings and has been trying further since but should finish close-up.
Another fair bet on the card could be Mia’s Athena in the second who has been placed in all three starts for Howells. The form has worked out well and from a good draw she should go close. A likely danger is the Kom Naidoo-trained Kian’s Pride who has good form over the distance and has improved in blinkers. Witchwood and A Time To Dance both look held by Kian’s Pride on their last meeting, the former having improved in blinkers for Tienie Prinsloo.
Howells had a good day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last Sunday with two winners and a close-up second and he could have another good day here. Starting with Mia’s Athena, he holds a strong hand in the fifth, a MR 90 Handicap over a mile, with Kitchakal and El Rey Viene in a wide open handicap. Kitchakal has his third run after a break and was touched off last run from a wide draw. From a better draw and with improvement expected he should go close again. Aurora Storm was favourite in that race from the best of the draw but was beaten less than a length. He has a wide draw to contend with here but Richard Fourie has stayed with the mount. El Rey Viene was touched off by News Stream when last they met and is now 1.5kg better off in the handicap. He also gets cheek-pieces and a tongue-tie so can go one better.
The third is a tricky maiden. Robbie Hill has tested Sign Of Fate in feature company and against winners at recent starts. She is back in maiden company and a return to her earlier form should see her competitive. Howells sends out Kitty Mo who has the worst of the draw but the stable has turned the corner and she has made steady progress. The step up in trip should also suit. Grecian Palace is making the required improvement at each outing for Weiho Marwing and with the best of the draw she can go close.
With Muzi Yeni firing on all cylinders since the start of the season, Richard Fourie is a little behind in the title chase at this early stage but he has a chance to pull one back on Josephine’s Pride for Paul Lafferty in another open maiden. Josephine’s Pride has only had three starts and was a beaten favourite last run. He made a smart debut and if he stays the trip, he may be the one to beat. The filly Lemon Scent showed signs of coming to hand for MJ Odendaal last run. She is a lightly raced four-year-old and the trip should not be a problem. Excalibur Calls made sudden improvement for Prinsloo with a tongue-tie and blinkers. He started at lengthy odds that day but a repeat can see him close again.
The sixth is a difficult handicap with many switching from the poly. Quiz Master has been consistent for Louis Goosen where he has good form over the trip and from a favourable draw must have a fair winning chance. Kom Naidoo’s gelding Porfirio got a hefty five-point shunt up the handicap for his last win but he still has a handy galloping weight and the best of the draw. Stevie Gee comes from the very much in form yard of Wendy Whitehead and he goes well over this trip. He is another switching to the turf but a good draw should help his chances. Fish Eagle has drawn wide but Clinton Binda’s runner has not been far back behind stronger on the Highveld and could be a surprise package.
Howells has backed up Maquette a week after her last win where she finally jumped on terms and led all the way. Four-claimer James Lihaba takes the weight off and from a good draw she can follow up in another tricky contest in the seventh. Magicallee won well first up for Gary Rich. That was on the poly but she is a quick mare from the best of the draw and can give Maquette plenty of cheek. Visiting Paul Matchett is in mustard form of late and it is a toss-up between his two runners Mist In Scotland with regular rider Philasande Mxoli aboard and On Cue with Richard Fourie in the saddle. Both are effective over the trip so the betting may be your best guide here. Sting Ray ran a cracker behind the smart Captain’s Christy last time out and a repeat should see her in the firing line.
It doesn’t get any easier in the last. Ampersand took full advantage of a drop in class to run out a comfortable winner last start on the Turffontein Inner track. He is lightly raced and sprints well and only got a three-point rise in the handicap for that win. Honshu was not too far back first run out of the maidens and takes a slight drop in class. Licence To Thrill was a recent maiden winner but has only had two starts and the form has worked out quite well. Knight Warrior is a veteran of 50 starts but Dennis Bosch broke his drought last Sunday and Knight Warrior showed improved form in a work riders race last time out.
Andrew Harrison
