Andrew Harrison
Small fields but it is competitive racing on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today and there are no ‘gimmes’ as they say in golf.
Headlining the card is the Lucky Fish Silver Run Class where Justin Snaith’s Bangkok Magic is a two-year-old taking on older horses. However, he won well second time out and although he does face stronger he shed his maiden with authority and can follow up. None of Ricky Maingard’s visiting string have finished out of the money and Seven No Trump can keep up the form. The gelding makes his local debut on the poly but boasts some useful Cape form over the trip and is one to watch in the market. Darryl Moore has done wonders with poly specialist United Nation but does appear to be tested over this trip so preferred is Red Bomber who has started favourite at his last two but has been close-up in both. He should be right there again.
Punters face a tricky opener with a couple of Cape raiders relatively unexposed and it could pay to follow the betting. However, Stuart Ferrie’s filly Predator’s Crown, although having the widest draw, has put up two smart efforts to date and has run on the poly. Blazing Belle may just have needed her last run after a lengthy break but both her starts have been in the soft so the poly should suit. Yeah Baby was at long odds when make her debut on the poly but was not far back and should come on lengths from that run. Interstellar makes her debut for Adam Azzie and is one to watch in the market.
The first leg of the PA is wide open but Dancing In Demark has good poly form and has a light weight and should feature prominently. Peace Rose enjoyed the poly and the step up in trip when shedding her maiden and meets slightly stronger here but can follow up. Treasure Island is never far back and the drop in trip on the poly could see her home. Gold Gold Baby was close-up in her poly debut and now gets first time blinkers while Blue Poppy was narrowly beaten first up on the poly and has been consistent since. She is another in with a strong winning chance.
If there is a standout on the card it could come in the first leg of the Pick 6 with Princess Trippi. Wendy Whitehead’s filly has been knocking on the door for some time now and goes well this course and distance and is the one to beat. Of the balance, Chooks Kiss is seldom far off the winner and goes well on the poly and has a good draw to help her cause while Chihiro may just have needed her last run when making her poly debut and must have a strong chance if improving on that effort.
In the fourth, Ebisu was an easy winner first up on the poly for Lucinda Woodruff and the form has held up. The extra furlong should not trouble her but she did get a seven-pound raise in the handicap which is a concern. However, she is progressive and can deny the handicap. The year older Golden Angel was a beaten favourite last run but has been in good form on the poly. She gets 4.5kg from Ebisu so there is a lot on her favour while Sesame was well beaten by Ebisu last time out but now gets a 4kg claimer aboard and is 7kg better off for a seven-length beating.
Dennis Bosch could hold the key to the fifth where Pembury is likely to start at long odds. He has not been far back in recent starts but has dropped markedly in the ratings. The blinkers are back on and he gets a 4kg claimer aboard. Run To Rio was a beaten favourite last run but finished close-up in third while Pleasedtoseeyou is relatively lightly raced and was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out. Navajo Dancer is up in class but goes well on the poly and has a light weight.
The sixth is another wide open handicap but Meerkat Moon has the best of the draw and has improved in blinkers. He was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out Sail To The Moon goes well on the poly and has been knocking at the door while William Of Orange as shown up well in two post-maiden efforts on the poly. He has drawn well and the stable is in form. Music Of Life has the widest draw but ran a cracker under an inexperience apprentice last start and is seldom far back.
Yadav Singh can round off the day when he saddles Victor Rail who goes well over course and distance and was less than two lengths back to Bless Me Fred when last they met. He is now 7kg better off taking the apprentice claim into account. Cappellino has good form over course and distance and was a close-up second to Bless Me Fred last time out and is now 1.5kg better off so the tables should be turned. One can never write of veteran galloper Trafalgar Square who has been consistent under big weights and should be competitive again.
