Punters will have their work cut out at Hollywoodbets Greyville next Wednesday. Racing action switches to the poly and there are some tricky handicaps to solve.
Possibly the most interesting race is the fifth, a 72MR Handicap, where Mike Miller saddles the three-year-old Turbo Boost. The gelding got a hefty handicap rating after winning second time of asking over course and distance beating stable companion Ninety Nine Heros who is due to run this Sunday at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He takes on mostly older horses but he does appear to have some scope and can follow up.
Highveld visitor Fabian Habib has a couple of lively runners on the day and JP Two Thousand has not been far back at his last two. He makes his poly debut and should handle the synthetic surface given his pedigree. Joshua Hotsnake has the worst of the draw but Wendy Whitehead has her stable firing of late. The gelding was a narrow winner of his last two but has only crept up the handicap and he can go in again. Weiho Marwing is looking to set up a satellite yard in Summerveld and Time Together made no show behind Joshua Hotsnake last time out. But that was on the turf and he was close up to his rival on the poly at his previous start and he must have a solid chance.
In the first, Sumiko has shown some promise in two starts for Gareth van Zyl and came in for strong market support last run. The step up in trip from a good draw can see him make amends. Clinton Binda seldom goes back to the Highveld without drawing some blood and Whirlybird has made improvement with each run. She too should enjoy the extra furlong and looks a big threat to Sumiko.
Josephine’s Pride was disappointing when sent out favourite last run but may have found the trip a little too far. Paul Lafferty has booked a 4kg claimer up and the gelding drops to a more suitable trip in the second. His Masters Voice has been struggling to shed his maiden but his two best recent efforts have come on the poly. He has the best of the draw and should make a bold bid. Dark Horse is Captain Barbosa who made no show in his sprint debut but judged on pedigree he should much prefer this trip. Marwing has booked top rider Gavin Lerena and the inference is obvious.
Marwing has another in with a solid chance in the opening leg of the Pick 6. Ocean Palace made a promising debut at Hollywoodbets Scottsville with Lerena aboard. He stays with the ride from the best of the draw. Purple Flower has a bit of a tricky draw to overcome but made a promising debut on this course and should enjoy the extra but she does have a few to get past. Wayne Badenhorst has booked four-claimer Trent Mayhew for Vermicelli who seems to have finally found her footing. She was close-up at her last two and goes well on the poly.
One of the better bets on the card could be Garth Puller’s mare Petit Verdot. She is back over what looks to be her favourite surface and has been taking on stronger at her last two outings. She looks well in at the weights and Puller appears to have picked the right race in what is a tricky handicap. Malcolm’s Dream won very easily on the turf last time out and got a hefty eight-point hit in the handicap. However, she only now appears to be reaching her full potential and can follow up. Mike Miller’s mare Toto has a big weight but has not been far back in useful company. She goes well this trip.
The sixth is a difficult sprint. Impartial has the widest draw but with only 48kg to shoulder courtesy of a four-claiming apprentice, he could go all the way. Brass Bell is showing signs of coming to hand for a stable that is in form. He can improve on his last run where Anotherdayinafrica enjoyed the rub of the green to win. It could be a lot tighter now. Flying The Star has her second run for her new stable. She takes on males but has been in good form of late and the form of her last start has been franked. She has a handy weight with her 1.5kg allowance.
Certainly has run two cracking races for MJ Odendaal and was closing in late when touched off by Marquette last time out. Prior to that she was narrowly beaten by Star Choice. Certainly is now 5kg better off taking the apprentice claim into account and that should be enough to turn the tables. But Star Choice comes from an in form stable and cannot be written off lightly. Hugsandhighfives was second best last run on the turf and has been racing over a touch further. She can do better this shorter trip.
In the last, Little Prince has been in consistent form on the Highveld but his best recent effort has been on the Greyville poly. He has a handy weight and Habib has engaged S’Manga Khumalo who knows the gelding well. There does not look to be much between stable companions Syx Hotfix and Ibutho, both winners last time out. However, Syx Hotfix has been campaigning in stronger company and although giving his stable rival 2kg he looks good enough to have his measure. Crested Eagle had no luck in the running last time out and the outing is best ignored. He steps up in trip but is back on his favoured surface.
