Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday. It is a ten-race card and Justin Snaith could hold some of the trump cards in Legal Counsel in the ninth and Goodnessgraciousme in the sixth.
Legal Counsel can round off the Pick 6 in the Middle Stakes over 1400m although it will not be a pushover, like most of the races on the card.
The three-year-old may just have needed his last run when starting favourite for The Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. He boasts excellent Cape form and can make amends. Dean Kannemeyer sends out what could possibly be Legal Counsel’s biggest threat in Golden Destiny who is better than his last effort and has his third run after a break. He shows promise and should be right up there. Thisiswhatitmeans won well last run when MJ Odendaal had him back on the poly but got a six-point rise in the handicap. However, he does look capable of going back-to-back. Nelson Bay has been in good form of late and loves this trip. He has the best of the draw and should be right up there again.
Snaith saddles Goodnessgraciousme in the Middle Stakes, sixth race on the card. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight raced against strong opposition in her KZN debut and is back over what looks to be a more suitable trip. She boasts some smart Cape form and should make her presence felt. Stuart Ferrie’s filly Jeanne Darc was possibly outclassed in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas last run but ran a cracker in her penultimate start that earned her a hefty 16 point shunt up the handicap. She has a fair weight to shoulder but jumps from a handy gate and it will be interesting to see if the handicappers have got it right. The De Kock’s saddle Fireburst who has yet to run a bad race and showed up well on the poly last time out. She should be competitive along with Ice Rain who although having the widest draw she goes well this trip and has a strong money chance.
The first leg of the PA sees L’Ultimo having his third run after a lengthy break. He gets 4kg relief from the saddle and he loves this course and distance. Kom Naidoo sends out the experience Porfirio who has been showing signs of coming to hand again and was dropped a point in the handicap. He is back on his favourite surface. Mac Hardy is never far back and goes well over course and distance. He has a good draw and should be competitive. Gorgeous Dude was a beaten favourite last run. There should be very little between him and Mac Hardy but the latter has the better gate
Silver Platter can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. He is a big long-striding gelding but tends to be one-paced. If given his head early he could finally get his head in front when in matters. King Celtillus was just in need of his last run. He makes his poly debut but should still have more to come. I Am Classy has shown some recent improvement in blinkers and the switch to the poly could suit. Black Platina looks held by Silver Platter on their last meeting but he does show some promise and can get closer
Master Bomber heads a competitive handicap in the fifth. He was a recent maiden winner but improved in blinkers and the Western Cape form was once again to the fore. He has a handy weight and can follow up. Veteran Riccardo is seldom far back and has been dropping in the handicap. He has a big weight and a wide draw but should enjoy the refurbished poly track. Queen Amina takes on males but is useful and was narrowly beaten last run. She goes well this trip and rates a strong chance.
Griffin Park and Captain’s Pride could suffice in the seventh. Griffin Park has been much improved in blinkers. He gets a stronger rider aboard here and has a handy draw. Captain’s Pride takes on well exposed older horses. She goes well this trip and should make a race of it. Cappellino is struggling for his second win but now races off what could be a more competitive mark. His last two were improved showings.
