After a long overdue refurbish, the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly will be back in use come Wednesday and a number of trainers have delayed in the interim to get their poly specialists into action again. This could be a telling pointer to the performance of some runners but the revamped surface should be fair for all.
Punters may have to wait for the best bet on the card where Justin Snaith saddles African Prince in the ninth who boasts solid Cape form. He is well drawn in pole and looks the part. A threat could be Hope And Power who has a wide draw but goes very well over course and distance while MJ Odendaal brings back Grand Appeal after a lengthy break after his maiden win that came at just the third time of asking. Watch the betting here.
Mike and Mathew de Kock can get the meeting off to a winning start with Cherry Oh Baby who has been camped in the second box for her last four starts. She meets a modest field and likely to start at cramped odds. The only danger appears to be the long-time maiden Long Street. She does get weight in this open maiden and has a handy galloping weight but she has had 18 bites at the cherry.
Silver Platter makes his poly debut in the second and has been close-up in his last three. He stays the trip and should feature prominently. Visiting Master Bomber steps up in trip on the poly but was narrowly beaten over a mile last run at Durbanville. He will be a big threat. These two look pick for the first leg of the Bi-Pot.
Veteran mare Juliet Tango drops in class and has improved at recent outings. She should take to the poly and can get the PA off to a winning start. One Path took on much stronger in feature company first up out of the maidens and is one to watch. Woza Nawe has improved in blinkers and should run well while Flying Hafla has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win but still got a rating drop.
The first leg of the Pick 6 has a small field but plenty in with chances. Frank Robinson looks to have a smart gelding in Field Marshal but will have to step up again if he is to beat the handicappers. He won well last time out but is 1.5kg worse off with Trois Trois Quatre who was less than a length back. On paper the latter should have his measure but Field Marshal has won on the poly. Johnny The Thief is also better off in the weights with Field Marshal and the stable have high hopes for him this winter while the filly Forgiveness, although a distant third in The Scarlet Lady, can feature in this line-up.
Tricky handicaps round off the card. Frikkie Greyling sends out Numzaan in the fifth. The gelding has shown good form for his new stable and although he has to defy a big weight he should be a big runner. Kom Naidoo’s runner Porfirio is the best performed and loves the poly which puts him in with a strong chance. Eventidor is holding form well and his 4kg claimer will help. Count Marsh is way better than his last run from a poor draw and could be a threat along with Shiny Bob who has come to hand at recent starts and looks primed for this.
In the sixth, Gentleman Joe has a tricky draw but comes with solid Cape form and is much improved in cheek pieces. This stable does well on the poly. Bristol Hercules is a July entry and will need to step up if he is to make a bid for the July berth. Given that he is now with the Mike de Kock yard one must take note. Of the balance, Plaza Accord is up in the handicap but is in good form and the step up in trip could see him in again. French Flame is coming to hand and he has gone well on the poly and is another to consider.
