The revamped Hollywoodbets Greyville poly track received favourable reviews after the first meeting on the surface with runners able to lead or come from behind with little kick-back which was a bugbear on the older surface.
But punters face a trappy card when racing resumes on the poly on Wednesday which could see some healthy dividends given the right play.
Star In Motion looks a bright bet in the card opener with a run under his girth he could prove a little more experienced ahead of Glen Kotzen’s trio seemingly headed by debutante That’ll B The Day judged on jockey bookings. Doug Campbell’s gelding George’s Magic is the most experienced in the field and has shown some ability. He can improve on his last effort where he took on some promising opposition.
In the second, Malshana Mou has put in two smart showings over shorter for Tienie Prinsloo. She has drawn well and can go one better although she does face a competitive field. Louis Goosen’s filly Kali Bwana was a beaten weak favourite last run although she has put in two improved efforts. She took on winners last run. Scandalize is a Cape raider who has put in two modest efforts to date but likely to make good improvement over this trip. Alannah has a tricky draw to contend with but has made steady improvement and is tried over the trip.
Justin Snaith can get the PA off to a winning start when he saddles Noodsberg who was probably in need of her last run after returning from a break. She meets some useful older runners but does look to have more to come. Gary Rich has two competitive runners in English Primrose and Dawn Surprise. Judged on jockey bookings Dawn Surprise could be the pick but English Primrose is back on her favourite surface where she has finished runner-up in her last four outings on the poly.
The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky handicap. Silky Jet takes on males but has useful Highveld form over the trip and should be competitive. King Bavarian has consistent local form and a handy galloping weight. The Alyson Wright stable is in form. Storm Ahead is the only runner for visiting trainer Fanie Bronkhorst and his gelding has improved at his last two and his apprentice rider has been replaced by Calvin Habib. Basie Raakvat has been knocking at the door and stays the trip well and could upset for MJ Odendaal.
Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key with his two runners in the fifth. Dancing On A Cloud ran well below expectations first up after his comfortable maiden win. That was in soft ground and he can make amends or at least put in a better showing. Stable companion Uzwano was much improved in blinkers last run behind Okavango who is due to run in the Gr2 WSB 1900 on Saturday. Landseer showed up well first run back from a break and can improve back on the poly and his stable companion Faire Advantage returns from a lengthy break but won his last two over course and distance.
The sixth is a wide open handicap. Fireburst got a hefty five-point rise in the handicap for her last win but she finished well to get her head in front and could possibly follow up. The Mightiest shows some promise and was a good second last time out for which she got a three-point rise in the ratings. Greenhouse was not far back in her first local outing and Kabelo Matsunyane replaces the inexperienced apprentice from a plum draw.
Blue Holly could prove to be one of the better bets on the card. Glen Kotzen’s filly is smart and although her best recent form has been over a furlong shorter she has a light weight and a handy draw. Rich Folks Hoax was narrowly beaten first up in KZN and is now 0.5kg better off with Quandary who beat her last time out. She does have the better draw but there should again be very little between the two. Icy Blast is never far back and was a narrow winner last start. She boasts some fair form to stronger.
In the eighth, Cotton Ron has been a soldier for Louis Goosen and has been coming down the ratings. His apprentice rider has been replaced but he is consistent and has a plum draw. There She Goes does not have the best of draws but has been banging on the door on the Highveld. The poly should suit and she looks a big threat. Purple Powahouse is always game and has not been out of the money in his last five starts. He has the widest draw to contend with but expect another honest effort.
Icy Eleanor can round off the meeting given that she can improve on her last start. She was given a lengthy break after her debut win and was close-up after a break of nearly a year. Diyarani returns from a break and has her first run for Nathan Kotzen. She shed her maiden on the poly and should feature. Prinsloo has two competitive runners in Happy Analia, a narrow winner last start but consistency rewarded, and Rugger Lover who is now 1kg better off with Icy Eleanor for just under a length beating. The draw and some expected improvement from Peter Muscutt’s runner could see the result confirmed.
