RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: GREYVILLE@2023.12.20
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80,000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: NELLIE MELBA (8) made a smart debut and was well supported in the market. Richard Fourie stays aboard. EMERALD GREEN (7) also showed up well when racing green on debut. She should come on nicely with that run and rates a strong winning chance for Louis Goosen. AN AIR OF PRIDE (9) is well experienced and has not been far back in any of her starts. She must have a winning chance. FIRE PHOENIX (6) seems best over shorter but has not been far back at recent outings and has a definite money chance.
Selections:
#8 NELLIE MELBA, #7 EMERALD GREEN, #9 AN AIR OF PRIDE, #6 FIRE PHOENIX
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80,000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tough maiden. ELEGANT ACT (8) has been knocking on the door for some time now. She goes well over this trip and Dean Kannemeyer’s filly could have the edge over MASCHERINA (12) who made a smart debut on this course but has pulled a wide gate. THE QUEEN BEE (4) has not been out of the money in three starts and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. ONE SMART COOKIE (3) raced in feature company last run and was not far back. From a good draw she must have a winning chance for Tienie Prinsloo.
Selections:
#8 ELEGANT ACT, #12 MASCHERINA, #4 THE QUEEN BEE, #3 ONE SMART COOKIE
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 2200m, Turf, R80,000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Mike Miller’s charge ONLY A POET (11) is comfortable over a trip and is the obvious choice in this line-up. However, SHOOT THE RAPIDS (2) made a smart debut at long odds for Frank Robinson over1600m. If he stays the trip, he could prove a threat. Miller has a second strong to his bow with HEROIC POWER (1) who also steps up in trip for the first time. Judged on riding arrangements, Only A Poet is the stable elect. TRITON (7) is a battling maiden but does stay the trip well and with some luck in running he could surprise.
Selections:
#11 ONLY A POET, #2 SHOOT THE RAPIDS, #1 HEROIC POWER, #7 TRITON
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 2000m, Turf, R80,000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: ETIQUETTE (2) has patchy form but does stay the trip well. He has come down in the ratings and Garth Puller has legs up a 4kg claimer which should make him competitive. BILLY OF TEA (10 stays well and with a handy galloping weight should make a race of it. MASTER OF THE TURF (4) was a recent maiden winner but was well supported in the market and has improved with every outing. TOM’S ACT (3) is never far back. He has his third run after a lengthy break and with a light weight he could be the surprise package.
Selections:
#2 ETIQUETTE, #1 BILLY OF TEA, #3 TOM’S ACT, #4 MASTER OF THE TURF
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1900m, Turf, R80,000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Not an easy handicap. DOCTOR’S ORDERS (1) has a lot in her favour and from a plum draw with decent form to back her chances she could get Wayne Badenhorst into the winner’s box. DRIVE BY (13) has a wide draw and steps up in trip. However, her current form over shorter is smart and she will go close is staying the distance. FASHIONIGMA (14) has drawn widest of all. BAY BREEZE (2) is way better than her last effort but does seem to prefer the poly which is a concern. HOT STRIKE (4) has improved in blinkers and did not have the best of passages from a wide draw last time out and should be right on top of them at the finish.
Selections:
#1 DOCTOR’S ORDERS, #13 DRIVE BY, #14 FASHIONIGMA, #4 HOT STRIKE
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Many in with chances here so take your chances. BOSNAY (4) has not been far behind some useful opposition of late and Darryl Moore’s filly could finally get a break. STATUS QUO (1) won well to shed her maiden at second time of asking. That was on the poly but she does look progressive and has a plum draw. SLEEK AS SILK (3) ran a cracking in the soft over course and distance last time out. She has drawn well and should be right there. LE PREMIERE (2) showed up well first run out of the maidens and can finish in the money again.
Selections:
#4 BOSNAY, #3 SLEEK AS SILK, #1 STATUS QUO, #2 LE PREMIERE
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80,000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Difficult handicap. OSHAKATI (2) has been taking on stronger and has taken a drop in the ratings. He has a good draw and could prove the smart choice. WINTER WAVES (3) was second best last run on the poly but does go well on the turf and from a good draw should be competitive. CRESTED EAGLE (8) has been taking on much stronger at recent outings and not been far back. He has drawn a little wide but looks to have a bright chance. GLOBAL SECRET (4) was narrowly beaten over course and distance last start. The mare takes on males but is in good form and from a good draw should also be right there.
Selections:
#2 OSHAKATI, #8 CRESTED EAGLE, #3 WINTER WAVES, #4 GLOBAL SECRET
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80,000, 16:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: SUPER FAST (8) has been up against stronger of late and was narrowly beaten last time out. He has a tricky draw but goes well on the turf and is distance suited. RUGGER BUGGER (1) has a good draw and was close-up when taking on stronger over course and distance last time out. COTTON RON (10) has been an honest servant and never far off the money. He steps up in trip here but the stable is in good form and the extra may now suit in another difficult handicap. PHAKA IMALI (7) has been showing good form on the poly but is distance suited and the switch to turf should not be too much of a problem.
Selections:
#8 SUPER FAST, #1 RUGGER BUGGER, #10 COTTON RON, #7 PHAKA IMALI
HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE, 20.12.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80,000, 16:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: AVERNI PRINCESS (5) took on males last start and was not far back. She goes well this course and has been in good form since her maiden win. SKY CAFE (12) has drawn wide but ran a cracker at long odds last start and the extra furlong will suit. Stable companion CINNAMON BLUSH (2) has the better draw and was touched off over course and distance last run and a repeat will see her close again. Richard Fourie will have had a few choices of mounts in this race. POPPY OF BAYEUX (6) is never far back on the ply but the switch to turf with Fourie staying with the ride could be telling.
Selections:
#5 ARVERNI PRINCESS, #12 SKY CAFE, #6 POPPY OF BAYEUX, #2 CINNAMON BLUSH
Best Win: #11 ONLY A POET
Best Value Bet: #4 BOSNAY
Best Longshot: #3 TOM’S ACT
