Andrew Harrison

It will be black and white at Hollywoodbets Greyville today as the thoroughbred breeders in KwaZulu-Natal hold their flagship race meeting. Eight of the nine races are restricted to horses bred in the province. The card is headed by the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders Mile and supporting feature is the Gr3 Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes.

The Breeders Mile is a tricky event but St John Gray is one of the smartest horseman in the country and he sends out Palace Prince. An owner, breeder and trainer, Gray has no need to send his mares to expensive commercial stallions and cuts his cloth accordingly with consistent success.

Palace Prince is the son of surprisingly unfashionable Potala Palace and is the highest rated runner in the Mile. The colt’s recent Highveld form is not inspiring but he is the highest rated runner and is Gray’s and jockey Philasande Mxoli’s only runner on the day.

Sean Tarry has an exceptional record at this meeting and saddles Golden Operator. Although a touch disappointing in a feature last run after coming off two straight wins he should be a big runner. He has the widest draw but has improved in blinkers. Frikkie Greyling saddles the filly Amelia’s Legacy who found it tough going in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas behind Hollywoodbets Durban July hopeful Wish List but came off two smart efforts in useful enough company. Mark Dixon’s gelding Cleartherunway is seldom far back and the form of his last run has been franked. He could get in a blow.

Supporting feature is the Gr3 Lucky Fish Winter Fillies Stakes over 2400m. Ormond Ferraris Oaks Trial winner Curious Girl did not get home last run against males after an extended winning streak when sent over ground by Mike and Mathew de Kock. She has won over the trip, has a touch of class and rates the one to beat. But there are a host of rivals on the Gerbera form line with little separating a number of rivals but Tarry’s filly is still on the up and can confirm the form. James Crawford saddles two potential winners in Woman’s World and Duchess Of Paloma with little separating the two on form however, the step up in trip could suit the latter. Andre Nel’s mare Plum Pudding started favourite behind Gerbera and beaten less than a length so is also strongly in the mix and in her favour is that she stays the trip.

Michael Roberts’ gelding Fortress Of Fire could anchor the Bi-pot. He boasts some useful form in strong company. He made his poly debut last time out and can come on from that. Hathighwaytothesky made a smart poly debut for visiting Tony Peter and has some useful Highveld form to back her claims. She has a light weight and a good draw. Magic Surprise and Tara Star are both in with chances.

In the first leg of the PA Hat’s Queen was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out but has this field stone-cold at the weights and can give Peter a quick double. However, Lucinda Woodruff is having a strong Champions Season and sends out Blizzardboy who has improved with the blinkers removed and over ground. He may be the biggest danger.  Fine Wine and Prince Of Troy can also feature.

Owner Of Creation is a longtime maiden but has come good on the poly of late and can finally break the ice in modest company to open the Pick 6. However, that he never quite gets home is of concern. Water Hyacinth steps up in trip and has improved at her last two while Liz Hurley was disappointing last run when lacking a finished effort after starting favourite. She is back on turf and she can make amends.

The fifth is a tricky handicap Maiden but Queen Of The Air has been a beaten favourite at her last two. She has dropped five points in the ratings and could now be more competitive. America First improved nicely second time out and now steps up in trip and is one to follow closely in the market however, stable companion Tears Of The Sun was much improved first up on the poly and the stable has stuck with Chad Little as pilot.

The last two races are competitive. In the eighth, Space Mission is way better than his last start. He is consistent and goes well this trip although he makes his poly debut. The Gliding Fish won a game race under a big weight last time out. The poly suits and he can follow up. Run To Rio has been close-up at his last two and has come to hand again. War Emperor was a recent maiden winner but had consistent form prior to that victory but there should not be much between him and Frostbite although the step up in trip could be the decider between the pair.

Winter In London can round off the programme. He has a big weight but is down in class with a 1.5kg allowance and Duncan Howells may have picked the right race. Indecent Proposal has the widest draw but goes well on the poly and is holding form. Tommy Greaney raced in feature company last start after his maiden win and is one to watch in the betting.