A tricky card of lowly handicaps face punters on the poly at Hollywoodbets next Wednesday but as always, there is money to be made.
In the first race, a maiden dash over 1000m, Tienie Prinsloo put the blinkers back on Witchwood for her last start and she went down narrowly and can go one better. Weichong Marwing’s filly Regina Bellissima finished ahead of Yougogirl last time they met. She has been much improved on the poly and blinkers. Dressedtothenines showed some improvement with first time blinkers for Gareth van Zyl and can do better this shorter trip. Yougogirl made a promising debut for Timothy Pretorius behind Kian’s Pride. She should have come on from that effort and with Richard Fourie aboard the stable hopes are obvious.
The second is a tricky handicap but Carl Hewitson appears to have picked the right race for Majorca Palace. He was not far back to stronger last run and prior to that was 1.5 lengths back to Anotherdayinafrica who has since been in good form. Hewitson’s charge is now 3kg better off in the handicap taking Rachel Venniker’s allowance into consideration. Anotherdayinafrica has been in good form over the trip and the form has held up well so he is a strong contender. Muzi Yeni takes the ride and he may have had the choice between Drogarati and What A Tiger. Shot Of Courage won first time out of the maidens for Pretorius and apprentice James Lihaba keeps the ride.
In the third, Muzi Yeni teams up with Alyson Wright and King Bavarian could be one of the better bets on the card. He has been consistent on the poly and stays the trip. He may be the horse to beat but there are others in with chances. Hell’s Bells has improved at recent outings and makes his poly debut. With his 1.5kg allowance he can turn the tables on Global Ruler who finished ahead of him last time out. Bandmaster could be the dark horse. Frank Robinson’s charge has only had two starts and caught the eye second time out. This trip should suit.
Duncan Howells has replaced Sean Veale with 4kg claimer James Lihaba on Shaken Not Stirred in the fourth, the mare runner-up on the poly at her last two. The claim could see her home in a difficult handicap. Little Lady has the best of the draw and Weichong Marwing’s runner takes a drop in class while Angelic Fort is never far back. Gary Rich sends her two furlongs further and if she stays the trip, she will be a big runner. Jollification has put in two useful post maiden runs for Nathan Kotzen. Muzi Yeni is back on board and she should run a big race.
In the fifth, Knight Warrior takes a big drop in class and Dennis Bosch’s stable is starting to come to hand. Muzi Yeni retains the ride given that he may have had the choice on Eventidor who is also a ‘runner’ for Alyson Wright. Little Prince has run two good races on the poly for Fabian Habib and he is back for another dip in the well. He is also down in class. Blazing Light is back on his favoured surface and is a must inclusion in all exotic bets.
Three wide open handicaps face punters from here on. Writteninthesand was a narrow winner on the Highveld last time out. She found good market support on the day after two duck eggs. She has a handy galloping weight and should enjoy the poly. Kitten’s Adventure has won over course and distance and has not risen too far in the handicap. She won well on the turf last run and can follow up. Thesupernovastar has drawn wide but won well enough when shedding her maiden for her to have a chance in this line-up.
In the seventh, Poursomesugaronme has been knocking at the door for some time for Dennis Bosch. Her best recent effort has been over course and distance and she should have a strong winning chance. Star Choice has a tough draw but Frank Robinson has a way with older horses and the mare has been close-up in all of her recent starts. Kom Naidoo’s runner Dame Mazona improved with every outing before shedding her maiden with first time blinkers. She meets a modest field here and can follow up. Drive By was never in it when caught wide from a bad draw last run. The mare has been dropping in the handicap and with a better draw and a light weight she will be dangerous.
Dean Kannemeyer can round off the afternoon with William Rufus. The gelding was not far back in much stronger company last time out and although he has a big weight but could have too much gas for this field. Weiho Marwing has applied for boxes at Summerveld to open a satellite yard so Time Together can be regarded as locally trained. He met a good one in Mexican Pete last time out but meets visiting JP Two Thousand on 1kg worse terms. Home advantage could play a role. Gimme A Rainbow got a four-point shunt up the handicap for his last win but gets 1.5kg allowance courtesy of Rachel Venniker which could see him home again.
