Recent arrivals in KZN with half-decent Cape Town form usually do well in their first local run and Gurkha fits the bill in the first at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday. He was a recent arrival with Dean Kannemeyer’s string and his horses gave notice of their wellbeing last week.
Punters face a competitive card but Gurkha can get the afternoon off on a winning note although he does face some solid local opposition.
Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray who may just have needed his last effort when returning from a break and should stripe a lot fitter. Firelighter has the best of the draw and was a beaten favourite last run. MJ Odendaal’s charge looks to be in a good space. Black Platina returns from a break but was much improved last run. Wide draw but can feature.
The first leg of the bi-pot is a tricky handicap but Beach Palace won well enough in a small field last run. He has been consistent of late and the stable is in form. Mariachi Madness makes the trip from the Highveld for Clinton Binda and comes with some solid recent form although over shorter. Andre Nel has re-united Rafiki with Calvin Habib and their last win was over course and distance although he does carry top weight. Veteran Cotton Ron seldom runs a bad race. He steps up a furlong in trip but does have a 4kg claimer up.
Golden Destiny could prove to be one of the better bets on the card as he has won his last two at Hollywood Kenilworth and although going an extra furlong he does have the best of the draw and could still be under the handicappers radar. Danger could be Max The Magician who has a wide draw to contend with but Roy Magner seldom makes the trip from the Highveld and his gelding has shown up well in his last two. Tyrconnell has drawn a little deep but is seldom out of the money and should put in another good effort while Stars In Heaven goes well this trip and has a handy galloping weight although taking on stronger.
Festival Of Magic can kick-start the Pick 6 but it is a competitive handicap. Mike and Mathew de Kock’s runner has dropped in the handicap but has been taking on slightly stronger of late. He has a wide draw but cheek pieces could see him improve. Elusive Belle takes on males and if she can reproduce her penultimate run over course and distance with only 49kg to shoulder she will be dangerous. Count Marsh has the widest draw but was touched off over the trip last time out. He gets Gavin Lerena aboard.
Field Marshal disappointed last start after a smart previous effort but he can make amends given his best form. However, Lerena has deserted Field Marshal to partner Spirit Of Levana who he rode last time out and the blinkers have been replaced by cheek pieces. Quatermain has been knocking on the door for some time now and comes with consistent Highveld form. He gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance although taking on stronger. View Of The World is hardly ever out of the money and with a more experienced rider aboard cannot be ignored lightly.
Binda sends out Inafix in the sixth and the gelding won well enough over the distance last time out and only got a four-point rise in the handicap. He meets modest company and can follow up. My Siraya won first time pout for Stuart Ferrie and although taking on males she is lightly raced and should have a strong chance in this line-up. Arverni Princess has not been out since August last year but had some fair form before the break. She has a handy weight and can surprise. Purple Powahouse has not won for over three years but is never far back. He was running on late last Monday and can feature prominently in this field.
Vision To Achieve is struggling for her next win but is seldom far back. She has a big weight but Paul Gadsby looks to have picked the right race for her next win. Sahara Dawn is Sean Tarry’s only runner on the day and she showed up well over course and distance last run and from a good draw should be in the shake-up. Drive By is over her best course and distance and has a 4kg claimer aboard. Stable companion Dynasty’s Last is still a battling maiden but with her light weight has a chance in this line-up.
The eighth is a seriously competitive handicap and Alyson Wright’s gelding Slytherin could fit the bill. He surprised on debut and has started at long odds in two subsequent starts. His does appear to be under the handicappers radar. Antonio Gaudi was a recent maiden winner on the Highveld recently but had steady form leading up to that win. He has the best of the draw. Who Blinked has not been far back since shedding his maiden and can feature while stable companion El Dante just needed his last run. His best form is over further but he should come on from his last effort.
Kannemeyer can book-end the meeting with Rich Folks Hoax who although he has smart Cape form over a mile he has a handy weight and could prove too classy for this line-up even over this shorter trip. Future Flo will have plenty of supporters but has been climbing the handicap steadily and got an eight-point rise in the handicap last start as the handicappers try to put him in his place. He steps up a furlong but is capable. Quandary has been in good form of late and is over his optimum trip and will be a competitive runner while Smorgasbord has been consistent and should also be competitive.
