South Africa Horse Racing Previews: GREYVILLE@2023.09.24
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: The Gary Rich-trained FIRE PHOENIX (3) did not handle the soft last run after a much improved previous effort. WITCHWOOD (4) drifted off the boards when the blinkers were removed for her last start in the soft. Tienie Prinsloo has them on again and she should have a good chance with just a little improvement in a weak field. ARVERNI PRINCESS (8) is lightly raced and with the Louis Goosen stable in form she can improve on her last run on the poly. PRITTI VICTORY (6) is bred in the purple and a first timer to watch in the betting.
Selections:
#3 FIRE PHOENIX, #4 WITCHWOOD, #8 ARVERNI PRINCESS, #7 THAT’S A DESI GIRL
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100,000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Glen Kotzen’s gelding MORNING CHESS (10) has drawn wide and could start at good odds after a forward showing last time out. He is lightly raced and with the blinkers off over the extra furlong he can run a big race. FREEDOM SQUARE (13) has the widest draw and takes on males which is not in her favour. However, the opposition is not strong and she can go close. Weiho Marwing saddles KING OF QUEEN (8) who made a promising local debut over the distance. This will only be his fourth start and further improvement is on the cards. Paul Lafferty sends out BEACH PALACE (6) has shown up well in both starts over shorter. This trip should be right up his alley.
Selections:
#10 MORNING CHESS, #13 FREEDOM SQUARE, #6 BEACH PALACE, #8 KING OF QUEEN
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1900m, Turf, R100,000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: SUGAR BLAST (7) started at long odds last run when trying ground for the first time and finished a close-up second to the favourite. He obviously enjoyed the extra and can go one better. BILLY OF TEA (5) looks held by Sugar Blast on their last meeting but he stays well and has been consistent for Mike Miller. TRITON (8) is a long-time maiden but came in for strong market support last run. With a 4kg claimer up it could be worth another gamble. SWIFT NICKS (10) was running on well at only his third start and with the experience behind him he must have a strong chance.
Selections:
#7 SUGAR BLAST, #5 BILLY OF TEA, #8 TRITON, #10 SWIFT NICKS
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Wide open Pinnacle Stakes. WINTER GAMES (1) was up there with the best of his year last season but Mike Miller put him away after a close-up fifth behind champion Sandringham Summit in the Gr2 Golden Horseshoe. The three months break is a concern but he does have pole position with only 53kg to shoulder. He takes on a more than useful field but this race will be a plot on his chart. SEEKING THE STARS (7) looked a blinder at the weights last time out and he duly obliged although it was a tight call. It was only his second run for Alyson Wright and he can improve. QUE WING (8) was a close-up second to Seeking The Stars and meets him on the same terms. Ricky Maingard saddles WATERBERRY LANE (9) for the first time. He has not been out since just over two lengths back to Jet Dark in the Cape Met in January but he is the class in the race. ROYAL VICTORY (3) was in need of his last run behind Seeking The Stars and can improve on that showing.
Selections:
#1 WINTER GAMES, #7 SEEKING THE STARS, #3 ROYAL VICTORY, #9 WATERBERRY LANE
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky handicap. ALL THE TIME (6) was touched off over course and distance last time out by JOSHUA HOTSNAKE (9). There was a short head between them that day but the latter got a penalty and Yogas Govender’s charge is now 1.5kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables. Both are in good form. Doug Campbell’s runner CRESTED EAGLE (5) has found traffic at his last two starts and is better than that form would suggest. PONGOLA (4) is way better than his last effort and was not far off Joshua Hotsnake at his penultimate start.
Selections:
#6 ALL THE TIME, #1 WYLIE RILEY, #7 ROY’S COMMAND, #3 PERFECT OUTLOOK
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Wayne Badenhorst appears to have picked the right race for PRINCEKRESH (6). The gelding has been up against stronger at recent outings and not far back. He is down in class here and with a further 4kg claimer aboard he makes a lot of appeal. GIMME A RAINBOW (1) is never far back and was close-up on the poly last time out. He is better over this trip and with a plum draw and can win again. LUCKY DOLLAR (7) has been dropping in the handicap and ran a cracker from a tough draw last time out. Clinton Binda has two runners in good form but both have shown their best recent form on the poly. That said, DONTSHOOTTHEBARMAN (3), ESQUEVELLE and Nathan Kotzen’s runner ANOTHERDAYINAFRICA (9) come into the equation.
Selections:
#6 PRINCEKRESH, #1 GIMME A RAINBOW, #7 LUCKY DOLLAR, #3 DONTSHOOTTHEBARMAN
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tough handicap. Apprentice Nirvan Nastili scored the first win of his career for Gareth van Zyl on a relatively fancied runner and the Mauritian gets another chance on the Van Zyl-trained ANCIENT EPIC (2). She does come off a short break but never wins by far and the 4kg relief from the saddle and a good draw could see her go one better. BOMBER GIRL (3) was touched off in a tight finish last run. She has some useful form and should be involved in the finish. Stable companion to Ancient Epic, LA PURA VIDA (7) was a comfortable winner of her last start but was hammered eight-points in the handicap which could be her undoing although the yard’s first call rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa takes the mount.
Selections:
#2 ANCIENT EPIC, #3 BOMBER GIRL, #7 LA PURA VIDA, #5 MAQUETTE
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 24.09.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: TWINKLELITTLESTAR (7) won second time out in what looked to be a competitive maiden for which she got a lofty handicap mark. However, she could still prove a little better than this field. HARLEY’S FATE (10) has drawn wide but took on much stronger last run. She has been in good form of late and title-chasing Muzi Yeni will be in the saddle again. ASPOESTERTJIE (6) has been holding form well. With Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she should be a big runner. BITCOIN BABY (4) shed her maiden over a mile and drops back to a sprint. She has plenty of ability and could prove to be the surprise package.
Selections:
#7 TWINKLELITTLESTAR, #10 HARLEY’S FATE, #6 ASPOESTERTJIE, #4 BITCOIN BABY
Best Win: #6 PRINCEKRESH
Best Value Bet: #6 ALL THE TIME
