Michael Roberts has always held Ladyofdistinction in high regard and his judgement has been spot on to date with the filly never out of the money in six starts that includes three wins.
His judgement will be further tested when Ladyofdistinction lines up in the Flamboyant Stakes (Listed) joint feature on the nine race card at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Boxing day. The card also includes the tradition Christmas Handicap (Listed) for males, both races over 1600m.
Ladyofdistinction scrambled home last start but that was her second run after a long break and she can come on from that run from a good draw.
She does face more seasoned runners and the likes of Ice Rain and Tomyris will be no pushovers. Ice Rain has won three of her last five for Andre Nel, all three being on the poly. However, she has some useful turf form to her credit and she should be right there again. Tomyris was not far back in a Highveld feature last start and from her pole position draw she rates a winning chance. Paul Lafferty’s filly Forward Motion is in very good form of late and goes well over the trip and can feature from a good draw.
The Christmas Handicap is a more competitive affair with any number of runners in with winning chances. Frank Robinson sill bathing in the afterglow of his Summer Cup victory will be looking to Field Marshal to carry on the stables winning form. Filed Marshal contested a Highveld feature on the same afternoon as Mocha Blend’s cup victory but finished runner-up when starting favourite. He stays well but the drop back to a mile should still be well within his compass. Imposing has shown his better recent form over shorter but he comes in with a handy weight from a good draw so should at least be competitive. Capsaicin improved last run over course and distance under Rachel Venniker and she retains the ride. Off bottom weight a repeat showing could see him home. Adam Azzie is still hunting his first win since moving to KZN and Claw could provide that illusive win. He ran a little below form first up on the poly and has gone close over course and distance which puts him in with a chance. If there is to be an upset it could come in the form of Narina Trogon. Mike Miller’s gelding seldom runs a bad race and although finishing last of the eleven runners in his most recent start it was over a trip well short of his best and more like an exercise gallop. He will much prefer this trip and gets first time blinkers. Not one to leave out of any exotic bets.
Best bet on the card should come in the opening leg of the Pick 6 where Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Spirit Of Shimla should be difficult to beat. She has put in two smart sprints on the poly and goes this trip for the first time. That sprint form has held up quite well and she should make prefer the mile of this race and she looks the part. Chooks Kiss has raced green in both starts and should come on from her last run while Pretty Kara improved second time out and should come on further. However, it is a maiden handicap that can often favour older runners so the likes of Echo and Roy’s Blossom could surprise should Spirit Of Shimla fluff her lines.
