Barend Botes is a recent addition to the ranks of Summerveld-based trainers and he sends out only one runner on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday and it could be a winner.
He saddles Ntombenhle in the third and can get the Pick 6 off to a good start. The daughter of Noble Tune is overdue a win and this looks to be the right race as she stays the trip and has run well on the poly. She could also prove to be the best bet on the card but she is up against a couple of younger rivals. Gareth van Zyl sends out Canford Queen who is the most likely danger. She has run two promising races on the poly and was a close-up second over course and distance from the widest draw last outing. Richard Fourie, who can hardly put a foot wrong in his charge for the national championship and a record number of wins, can add another winner to his fast-growing total.
Fanie Bronkhorst sends out City Lights who makes the trip from the Highveld with some steady form to back her claims. She could improve further first up on the poly. Floral Fantasy has run her best race on the poly in a maiden handicap but is lightly raced and is definitely not out of it.
In the first, Always Shining has been improving steadily. The Bosch/Vennilker combination has been in good form of late but Fourie has deserted to ride General Byng who made a promising debut for the Kom Naidoo stable when returning from a break and he has shown some ability. Feather Dancer was much improved when tried on the poly last run. The blinkers are back on and she is better off in the weights with Regina Argento. Bound By Destiny is a well-bred first timer. The comment from the stable is “include in all exotics.”
First time blinkers saw Vision To Achieve go down narrowly last time out. She has good form on the poly and from the best of the draw and Fourie aboard she must have a strong winning chance in the second for Paul Gadsby. Louis Goosen saddles War Empress is never far back and goes well on the poly. She will strip super fit and should contest the finish. Rapid Fire only has 51kg to shoulder courtesy of apprentice Brevan Plaatjies and she has been close-up in her recent starts on the turf.
The fourth is a wide open handicap but Fine Admiral was a beaten favourite last run coming off a win over course and distance. Fourie stays with the ride which is a bonus. Mark Dixon’s runner Bunting faced a tough one first up out of the maidens and is down in class. He goes this trip for the first time but the form of his maiden win has worked out quite well. Tom’s Act has shown up well at his last two, his last win coming on the poly. He has a handy weight to help his chances.
In the fifth, Tony Rivalland’s charge Cupids Song is something of a poly specialist, his last two wins coming on this surface. He has a big weight but has his third run after a break. Teichman is a Wendy Whitehead soldier. He is always game and is due another win. He is also over his preferred trip. Night Jar was a recent maiden winner but has improved with every step up in trip. He is lightly raced and makes his poly debut. Bom Bom has steady sprint form for his new stable. He steps up to what may well be a more suitable trip.
Michael Roberts sends out Chara Sands in the sixth. In spite of the widest draw he takes a big drop in class. He has a big weight to shoulder but gets 1.5kg relief from Rachel Venniker’s allowance. Mask On looks held by Chara Sands on their last meeting but is also down in class and has the best draw. Two surprise runners are Granddaddy Purple who improved last run when back in blinkers in his second run after a break. He has a light weight and could be the surprise package along with Anotherdayinafrica needed his last run. He has a featherweight to carry and go all the way.
The last two races are Fillies and Mares Handicap sprints and never easy. In the first of them, Emerald Green showed up well first time out of the maidens and has improved in blinkers. She is down in class and takes on a modest field. Perfect Trust has been knocking at the door and is back to a sprint but goes well on the poly. French Princess has had two runs since a break. She is not the easiest but is quick and has a chance on her best behavior. Poursomesugaronme has been consistent over further in recent starts on the poly but the drop in trip should not bother her
In the last, visiting Cerulean Dancer comes with consistent Highveld form over a furlong further. The switch to the poly should suit as she was narrowly beaten in the soft last time out. Vision Of Will may have found her last start too far and is back over a more suitable trip. All of her recent form has been on the poly. Chelsea Flower has the widest draw but has shown up well in her last two including a win over course and distance. Puff Of Smoke has her first run for Kom Naidoo but was narrowly beaten on the poly last start and should be in the shake-up.
