Night racing returns to Greyville tonight and there will be a meeting every Friday night until April 29, 2016.

Tonight’s meeting has eight races and there will be immediate interest because in the first, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, the Charles Laird-trained Dynasty filly Madame Justice is a full sister to former Equus Horse Of The Year Legislate. She doesn’t have much to beat, although Zaida is a nice big, strong horse who looks to have plenty of scope for improvement.

In the second over 1200m Goodnight Nurse has caught the eye twice when finishing fifth in two strong maidens respectively and is the tip to win. Wow Holiday is better than his last run and will be a factor if bouncing back to the form of his debut. Budapest returns from a layoff but could earn if close to his best.

In the third over 1200m Roy’s Gul Gul Ha has run two recent  races over course and distance and has Anthony Delpech up, albeit from a wide draw. Jack The Knife was not disgraced last time against a good sort over 1400m and might appreciate the step down in trip as he tired late in that race. Astroman is having his third run after a long layoff and as a handy type could do well here from a good draw. Ayrton has fair Highveld form and must be included. Long Walk could do well if he settles early.

The fourth is a weak maiden over 1600m but Music World makes plenty of appeal as one who will come on from her fair debut over 1400m and she will appreciate the step up in trip. Wind Trader has shown signs of ability and could well enjoy this surface. Classy Chic has fair form and should enjoy the trip and has Delpech up. Manyou has caught the eye before and is interesting stepped up in trip. Iced Gem is improving and could earn from a good draw.

The fifth over 1600m is open but African Fish Eagle has his third run in KZN and on the evidence of his last race could step up to the plate. Both Silva Hawk and Royal Zulu Guard have some class and could fill the trifecta positions. However, none of the runners in this race can be ignored.

The sixth, a Novice Plate over 1400m, looks on paper to be at the mercy of the Gauteng raider Al Azraq who was impressive when winning his maiden over 1100m by 8,25 lengths and he should enjoy the step up in trip. However, trainer Clinton Binda has warned that there will be a lot of negatives, the main one being he hasn’t had a gallop due to the hardness of the ground at present on the Highveld, and the others being he hasn’t travelled before and it will also be his first time on the poly, under lights and over the trip. The Tripster is interesting stepped up in trip having stayed on quite well over the tough Scottsville 1200m in his penultimate start to a good sort and Dance On Air makes most appeal of the rest.

In the seventh over 1200m Main Submission’s maiden win over this trip at Scottsville has turned out to be very strong form and he is the type who will improve continuously as he gets older. However, it won’t be easy off his 87 merit rating as a young three-year-old and the Highveld raider Night Editor could be a strong challenger, while Thunderwood has scope and could also give some cheek.

The last over 1200m could be won by Quintella, who was dropped out from a wide draw last time before running on strongly. This time she is drawn well and Keagan de Melo remains aboard.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Main Submission (Nkosi Hlophe)