South Africa Horse Racing Previews: GREYVILLE@2023.10.01
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky maiden with a number set to improve going a mile for the first time. MJ Odendaal saddles JOHNNY THE THIEF (6) who has form over ground and has been runner-up at his last three and beaten favourite at his last two. He is the obvious choice. FUTURE FLO (7) has shown up well over recent sprints for Michael Roberts and his pedigree suggests that this trip should be right up his alley. Gavin Lerena stays aboard SCAMPTON (5) for Glen Kotzen and he has never been ignored in the market. He was outpaced in the soft last run and can improve on that showing. HELSINKI (1) has the best of the draw and was not far back around the Scottsville turn last run.
Selections:
#6 JOHNNY THE THIEF, #7 FUTURE FLO, #5 SCAMPTON, #1 HELSINKI
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky maiden with little solid form to go on. There was some market support for Tony Rivalland’s charge GALAXY EXPLORER (2) last time out and although a modest third that was in the soft. Richard Fourie aboard is a bonus. FIRE TONIC (7) has been making steady progress for Stuart Ferrie and caught the eye when running on nicely over a sprint last time out. This trip should be more to his liking. PLAYER X (9) returns from a short break for Paul Lafferty and he could be the pick of the Lafferty pair if taking into account that Muzi Yeni may have had the pick of the rides. TYBALT (10) showed some improvement second time out. He has the worst of the draw here but should come on a little more.
Selections:
#2 GALAXY EXPLORER, #7 FIRE TONIC, #9 PLAYER X, #10 TYBALT
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Deryl Daniels stays aboard JAM JAM (7) for Glen Kotzen. The filly found some market support last time out and now gets first-time blinkers as she switches to the turf. MISS PAGET (9) has a wide draw and was an easy recent maiden winner. Alyson Wright has her horses in fine form at present and along with Muzi Yeni the filly can go in again. MISS GIBSON (3) has been runner-up at her last two for Yogas Govender but takes a ride in class. However, she has bottom weight and a good draw that will be in her favour. Paul Lafferty was unhappy with the ride on DEVILS AND DUST (4) last time out but the apprentice was caught out wide and getting a mouthful from the senior on his inside. She was in a tough field and could spring a surprise.
Selections:
#7 JAM JAM, #9 MISS PAGET, #3 MISS GIBSON, #4 DEVILS AND DUST
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: EL DANTE (1) is smart on his day and MJ Odendaal has booked top heavyweight rider Bernard Fayd’Herbe for the ride. The gelding was in need of his last sprint, a distance short of his best and from the best of the draw he should go close. Weichong Marwing saddles PURPLENINJATURTLE (10) who has the widest draw and was a touch disappointing last run when not getting onto terms with most of his rivals. He ran a cracker at his previous start so may be worth another chance. TRUSTOVA (9) made a promising seasonal debut for Peter Muscutt who has booked Richard Fourie for the ride. The gelding is lightly raced and can make the required improvement. RODRIQUEZ (5) has won his last two and Louis Goosen’s runners have turned the corner. However, the gelding got a four-point penalty for his last win which could end his winning streak.
Selections:
#1 EL DANTE, #10 PURPLENINJATURTLE, #9 TRUSOVA, #5 RODRIGUEZ
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 2400m, Turf, R80,000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky. PAPA C (5) has come good for Duncan Howells at recent starts and can go one better. He stays well and the apprentice has been replaced by Sean Veal. Alyson Wright has backed up DANCE TO THE MUSIC (6) in a week after finishing a promising third last time out. His last win was over course and distance and the gelding should strip at his peak. TWICE GOLDEN (3) was narrowly beaten on this course last time out but not an easy horse to catch right. He takes a drop in class and Richard Fourie replaced the apprentice. CYBER TIME (10) has not been far off at recent outings and off a light weight could be the surprise package.
Selections:
#5 PAPA C, #6 DANCE TO THE MUSIC, #3 TWICE GOLDEN, #10 CYBER TIME
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80,000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: GOOD TRAVELLER (6) got a hefty rating early in his career and has been battling ever since. He is down from 118 to 104 and Michael Roberts looks to have found the right race. He is relatively well in at the weights and with Rachel Venniker’s allowance and a close-up third last run he must have a strong chance. Kom Naidoo’s stable has turned the corner and FAUSTINO (5) has always been a stable favourite. The gelding is showing signs of his best form and with 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies aboard he could go all the way. PRAY FOR RAIN (10) is well weighted and Carl Hewitson has him back over the course and distance of his last win. RULERSHIP (3) was a close-up second last time out but at the weights could be hard pressed to turn the tables on Pray For Rain given their last meeting.
Selections:
#6 GOOD TRAVELLER, #5 FAUSTINO, #10 PRAY FOR RAIN, #3 RULERSHIP
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80,000, 16:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Duncan Howells has always rated MIA’S ATHENA (2) but the filly has had her issues. They appear to now be behind her as she was a comfortable maiden winner last time out. She faces a stiff test but does look capable. BONNE BOUCHE (3) has dropped in the ratings and was close-up to the speedy Red Roses Too last time out. She switches back to the turf but has a handy weight. Kom Naidoo saddles AISLING (4) who showed good pace before fading late over a furlong further last time out. She is better suited to this trip and the 4kg claimer stays aboard. The blinkers did not have the desired effect on ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (9) last run and Louis Gooden has removed them. She does have another wide draw to contend with but apprentice Trent Mayhew does take 4kg off her back.
Selections:
#2 MIA’S ATHENA, #3 BONNE BOUCHE, #4 AISLING, #9 ACACIA’S BLOSSOM
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 01.10.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80,000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: SUNDANCE KID (10) has the widest draw but Wendy Whitehead’s gelding contested features early in his career. This is his third run back after a lengthy break and he should strip at his peak. He could prove a little too classy for this field. LAKE COMO (5) showed up well first run back from a lengthy break. Doug Campbell’s yard is in form and he should turn in a big effort. Whitehead has a second string to her bow in SENOR GARCIA (1) who has a plum draw and has been improving steadily since a break. He cannot be left out of any exotics. ONE IRISH ROVER (4) showed up well first run out of the maidens and has been consistent in his recent starts.
Selections:
#10 SUNDANCE KID, #5 LAKE COMO, #1 SENOR GARCIA, #4 ONE IRISH ROVER
Best Win: #6 GOOD TRAVELLER
Best Value Bet: #10 SUNDANCE KID
Best Longshot: #4 AISLING
