Andrew Harrison
Punters face a competitive card on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly today but there could be some relief with two runners that stand out as possible exotic bet bankers.
The first come in the second race, where Justin Snaith saddles Hazel Green. She has some useful Cape form to back her claims and has gone well over the trip. If taking to the poly she will be hard to beat. Tienie Prinsloo’s mare Tipperary is a long-time maiden but has finished runner-up with Mickaelle Michel aboard at her last two and Prinsloo’s patience can be rewarded as the step up in trip could finally suit. Red Hot Miss takes on older runners but has shown up well in her only two starts although starting at long odds last time out. Dancing In Demark has not been too far back at her last two and a claiming apprentice will help her cause.
The second possible banker could come in the sixth, a B Stakes the highest rated race on the card over 1000m, where Dean Kannemeyer sends out Pop Chart for the first time under his care. The gelding ran a cracker behind the highly rated Miami Mountain at Turffontein last time out and he boast some smart PE form. If taking to the poly he looks the part. Connery is likely to start at lengthy odds but has been dropping in the handicap and has his favourite apprentice aboard from a good draw. He could be the surprise package. Vaughan Marshall sends out Inside Voice who is way better than her last run but she does take on males especially as she is up against a confirmed poly specialist in United Nation who is back over what looks to be his optimum trip. Donquerari is always game and was a touch unlucky last run when finding traffic at a crucial stage of the race.
In the card opener, Sierra Foxtrot drifted off the boards on debut but raced green and finished a creditable four lengths off the winner. She will come on lengths from that effort. The more experienced Winter Miracle finished ahead of Sierra Foxtrot and found form when back to a sprint last start and must have a chance on confirming that form. Smart Choice was disappointing after a smart previous showing and must have a strong chance on her best effort while Moon Girl showed some improvement at her second start when jumping from a wide draw. She has the best of the draw now and a handy galloping weight.
Skipper O’Mally can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start although he does take on males. She is struggling a bit for a win. however, she has run well on the poly and with a handy weight should make her presence felt especially as Takethegreenlight and Peeping Tom have been scratched.
In the fourth Syx Hotfix has started to find form again and was narrowly beaten by a useful sort last run but this is a wide open affair. The Wolf has been knocking at the door and goes well on the poly and was a length behind Syx Hotfix last run and is 0.5kg better off. With a handy weight he should be competitive. Star Of The Future was touched off last run in some useful company and should feature in this company while World Of Our Own has been ramped up the handicap and has top weight but can still feature with De Melo back in the saddle.
The fifth is another tricky handicap but veteran National Dream has come to hand at his last two on the poly and has an accomplished apprentice aboard. Basie Raakvat has also come to hand of late in blinkers and goes very well on the poly along with Mountainsofthemoon who found form to win last time out on the poly and was well supported in the betting. Global Movement did well from a tough draw on the poly last start and must have a decent chance in a wide open affair.
It does not get any easier towards the end of the afternoon although Gorgeous Dude has good form on the poly in the seventh. He may prefer it a furlong further but has a light weight and Muzi Yeni to help his cause. Paratrooper may just have needed his first outing in KZN but he was not far back. If taking to the poly he should be a strong contender. Louis Goosen sends out two fillies best of which may be Kali Bwana. She takes on males but is never too far back and has shown up well in her last two over course and distance. Stable companion Saudi Sweep has shown her best recent form over further but does have the best of the draw and the national leading apprentice aboard.
The last is another puzzle but One Path needed her last run on the turf and has smart form on the poly. She has a fair weight in spite of the apprentice claim but at best should be in the firing line. The strangely named filly Preacher Man took on much stronger at her last outing and although well beaten she can do better while Party Girl shed her maiden on the poly at Fairview and makes her local debut. She is lightly raced and likely to improve on her current form.
