Punters face another competitive card on the poly track at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
There don’t appear to be any ‘gimme’s’ on the card but Mike Miller looks to have set up Kimball O’Hara nicely for a crack at the second, a merit rated 66 handicap and could prove one of the better bets on the card.
The son of Gimmethegreenlight has been taking on much stronger of late and showed some improvement last run and could have the measure of this field as he has dropped three pounds in the handicap and also takes on a MR 66 rated field after contesting and MR 83 last time out. Kom Naidoo broke a long drought last week and can add to his tally with Porfirio who looks to be coming on the right way and meets a modest handicap field. Brave Voyager has smart form over course and distance and will make a bold bid with the combination of Dennis Bosch/Rachel Venniker in deadly form.
La Divina in the last makes her local debut off some useful Cape form, finishing just three lengths off subsequent multiple Graded winner Double Grand Slam at her second start. La Divina has a handy galloping weight and stays the trip however, trainer Andre Nel issued a word of caution saying that the filly had a ‘quartet chance’.
That said, Shanta’s Pride has been in good form on the turf for Peter Muscutt but she has gone well on the synthetic surface and will be a big threat to the first selection. Noble Storm has run two smart races on the poly over course and distance for Michael Roberts and with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she could go one better. Patan’s Heir has been rested but does show promise and any market support should be taken seriously.
The first is a modest maiden field but Louis Goosen’s filly Elusive Belle has shown steady form over shorter but could well be looking for this trip. She makes the switch to the poly. Dee Day has been consistent on the poly for Gary Rich. She steps up in trip and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Fate Decreed has not been far back in her last two and could also benefit from a step up in distance.
The first leg of the Pick 6 could rest between Imperious Destiny and Spring Kiss. Imperious Destiny has run two cracking races over course and distance when switched to the poly. With the best of the draw she should run another big race. Spring Kiss has also taken to the poly and was narrowly beaten last time out after two wins. She has a handy galloping weight and Richard Fourie stays with the ride. Bosnay showed early promise and is nowis showing signs of her best form which will see her go close. Radu showed signs of her best form last run. She stays the trip and switches to the poly for Sean Tarry.
The fourth is a tough handicap. Cupid’s Song has the widest draw and top weight but does get 4kg relief from the saddle. He has good form over course and distance and could get the better of Palermo who was a recent easy maiden winner and has improved in blinkers. S’Manga Khumalo stays with the ride for Tienie Prinsloo. Fish Eagle is something of a poly specialist and from a good draw he should make a bold bid. Woodland Glade takes on males for Mike de Kock and was a beaten favourite when making her poly debut.
The fifth is an open handicap but Wave Warrior has been holding form well and does well on the poly. Richard Fourie rides. The diminutive Roy’s Rocker was a close-up third against stronger when under sufferance. She is back in at the weights and is always game. King Bavarian is showing signs of coming to hand. He goes well on the poly and is consistent. Columbia Road was running on well when runner-up last time out. She has a handy galloping weight and should have a good chance.
Another tricky handicap faces punters in the sixth. Winter Waves only got a two-pound raise in the handicap for his last win over 1200m. He loves the poly and the extra furlong will suit from the best of the draw. The grey Brass Bell steps up in class but has been in good form of late. Muzi Yeni takes over in the saddle with regular rider, apprentice James Lihaba, unable to make the weight. Doug Campbell’s runner Lake Como switches to the poly but has consistent recent turf form over the trip. Older horses generally take to the synthetic surface.
Sin the seventh, Perfect Trust was close-up over a sprint last week when starting favourite but should be more suited to this longer trip. She is 1.5kg better off with Miss Paget who beat her under a length when last they met separated by Green Valkyrie who has since franked that form. Devils And Dust seldom runs a bad race. She has been trying a furlong further at her last two but could prove better over this trip. Rachel Venniker rides at her absolute minimum weight. Kitten’s Adventure is way better than her last run. Prior to that she had consistent poly form over the trip.
