A competitive nine-race card on the poly faces punters at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday. There are no absolute standouts as far as the exotics go but most of the race can be boiled down to two or three obvious contenders.
One of the better bets could come in the second where Dean Kannemeyer saddles the regally bred Ms Sakura, out of the seven-time winner Cherry On The Cake, who showed up well on debut and should much prefer this trip. She also has the best of the draw. Mike Miller sends out Nautical Landing who has the widest draw but has been frustrating to follow as she has only finished out of the money once in a dozen starts for one win but goes well this trip. Echo made sudden improvement last run at long odds but seemed to enjoy the extra. She has a chance on a repeat showing. Late Bloomer makes her debut for Justin Snaith and is one to watch in the betting.
The consistent Silver Platter can get the PA off to a good start and is overdue a win. He has run two good races in blinkers on the poly but is a big striding, one-pace gelding who may need to be given his head early. Limelight Legend has shown up well in his last two in fairly strong maiden company and has to give weight to most of his rivals. Apache AG is lightly raced but nearly upset last run with first time blinkers. A repeat effort should see him close again.
The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive handicap with many in with chances. Frank Robinson’s filly One Path has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well on the poly. This trip from a good draw gives a lot in her favour. Prom Queen got a five-point shunt up the handicap for her last win and now meets Fireburst on 1.5kg worse terms but she does have the better draw. Plum Pudding looks the pick of the Andre Nel pair given jockey bookings. She won well on her local debut and can improve further. Greenhouse is possibly held by Prom Queen on their last meeting while lightly raced Meritorious could surprise in spite of her modest comeback run from a lengthy break.
In the fifth, Sequoia has his first run for a new stable but comes with strong Fairview form and looks well in at these weights. Imperial Power was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run and that form has since been franked so the inference is obvious. Sundance Kid did not put in his best last run and was also friendless in the market. He meets Few Dollars More on the same weight terms as when last they met and Glen Kotzen’s runner could turn the tables. Icy Blast has shown up well in two outings on the poly and can feature again.
Magical View could land the sixth for Miller as she hardly ever runs a bad race and is over her optimum trip. She has finished close-up in two features behind the useful Green Sapphire at recent outings and should go close in this contest. There was a head separating Magical View and School Policy when last they met, the latter making her local debut. She boasts consistent Cape form and can turn the tables. Goodnessgraciousme improved nicely at her second KZN start. She is down in trip but from a plum draw she must be an inclusion in all exotic bets. Two G’s shows a lot of promise and was a beaten favourite behind the useful Bevie’s Delight last time out. She faces a fair field here but is still improving
In the seventh, Cape form has generally proven superior to local and although Bank Street has a modest Cape Town record he has never been far back. He gets his first run for Stuart Ferrie and Sean Veale, who was aboard most of his starts in Cape Town, stays aboard. Mac Hardy is over his best course and distance and is seldom out of the money. An interesting runner is Gimme The Flame. Heather Adamson is seldom seen in KZN but the mare is possibly down for a crack on the poly and is one to watch.
Mr Master Starter and Thisiswhatitmeans look to be the principals in the eighth. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge beat MJ Odendaal’s runner by a length when last they met back in February. Since then Thisiswhatitmeans has twice won on the refurbished poly. The pair meet at level weights and there should be little between them. Both could be upstaged by Twenty One May. Duncan Howells has confined his charge to 1000m at recent outings but he shows good pace. He makes his poly debut and the quicker surface could see him home over the extra furlong. Cold Shine has his first run for a new stable but has not been out since December last year and may need the outing.
The last is another tricky handicap but although Lady Bug has a tricky draw to contend with she made a smart return from a break when going down narrowly over her favourite course and distance. If beating the draw she will go close. Ethereal View was back to her best last time out when a close-up second at long odds. She jumps from a favourable gate and will go close on a repeat showing. Avernian Princess has been a frustrating filly to follow but she got it all right last run over course and distance and can beat the five-point rise in the handicap. Buttercup Baby has patchy form but is smart on her day and not out of it.
