Greyville stages the second of its 20-20 meetings tomorrow night, whereby all nine races are only twenty minutes apart, and the races will be once again be ridden alternately by jockeys and apprentices.
In the first race starting at 6.15pm is a Maiden for three-year-old fillies over 1400m to be ridden by jockeys. Swiss Note has caught the eye running on well over 1200m on three occasions and looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip, although the wide draw is a bit of a concern. Chronological had excuses when going close over this course and distance in July without blinkers and the blinkers have come off after a disappointing race over 1000m last time, so she should go close with Anton Marcus up from a suitable trip. Martita Ridge ran a disappointing race last over 1600m last time after catching the eye over 1200m on debut, but she might appreciate the step down in trip so is a runner, especially if she starts on terms for a change.
In the second, an Apprentice Maiden for three-year-olds over 1400m, Kolinsky has faced good sorts in all three of his runs and hasn’t been disgraced in the last two of them over 1200m and 1400m respectively, so looks hard to oppose in this weak field from a good draw. Mighty Mississippi has also faced good sorts in three runs and should appreciate the step up in trip after running a fair third over 1200m last time out. Jabuticaba improved with first time blinkers in his second start over this course and distance in an uninspiring field and he could earn again from pole position with a 2,5kg claimer up.
In the third, a MR 94 handicap over 1400m, Translunar has performed admirably against good sorts from 1400-1600m and is a decent, consistent horse who is tipped to beat a fair field here from a good draw as he should now be cherry ripe having his third run after a two month layoff. Just Ask Me has a touch of class and is ideally course and distance suited so should do well from a good draw. Diamond King has always had plenty of class and found consistency after some of his problems had been resolved, so he should be involved from pole position with Marcus up. Buffalo Bill has been knocking on the door from 1400-1600m but this is his first run for two months. Eddie Sweat did well in his only start over course and distance and the old soldier Stolen Destiny can’t be ignored either over his favourite trip.
In the fourth, a MR 78 Apprentice Handicap over1400m, Surrey over raced early on his poly debut before fighting back in the straight to win over 1600m, so he should appreciate the step down in trip. The four point raise he was given looks unlikely to stop him with the same 4kg claimer up, although the wide draw is a little bit of a concern. Military Leader is back to his favourite course and distance and has an astute apprentice up for an in form yard. Furthermore, his merit rating has also been lowered by two points after two disappointing runs over 1600m. Ready For Take Off has not been disgraced against some good sorts recently and has a 2,5 claimer up from a good draw over a suitable course and distance.
In the fifth, a Novice Plate over 1600m, Intergalactic will be attempting to cement her place in the Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup and from a good draw over the course and distance of her facile maiden win she is the one to beat. Khonza should also go close as she struck as being a decent type when finishing powerfully to win over course and distance last time out in the maidens. Way Out Front was not disgraced against good sorts in her first two starts and then beat another promising type over course and distance last time, so she should be thereabouts.
In the sixth, an Apprentice maiden for fillies and mares over 1800m, Yell has the form to succeed in this uninspiring field and should be finishing strongly from a good draw. Cherry Orchard is a consistent earner and this trip on the poly should suit. Fashion Talk showed some improvement last time when stepped up to 2000m with second time blinkers on and she could earn again.
In the seventh, a MR 70 Handicap over 1900m, Grey’s A Rockin has impressed in his last two starts with a change to hold up tactics and Marcus is up. Capel Top should be cherry ripe having his third run after a rest and will appreciate the step up in trip having had to be ridden to stay in touch over slightly shorter last time. Rocketball only just failed last time over 1600m when running on and is interesting stepped up to a trip he should enjoy.
In the eighth, a MR 64 Apprentice Handicap for fillies and mares, Quintella loves this course and distance and will go close if ridden from well off the pace before running on strongly, which is the effective tactic employed by her regular rider. Jolo jumps from pole position and has been knocking on the door over this course and distance. Lucky Packet won over 1000m on debut so is interesting stepped down in trip for the first time in ages having run well for second over 1400m here last time when handy throughout.
In the ninth, a Maiden over 1600m, Fareeq flew for a good second after losing two lengths over 1200m at Scottsville on debut and should appreciate the step up in trip, so is the one to beat in an uninspiring field. Blue Ocean has only run once in the last two years but did have some fair form and ran a fair race fresh last time out in February. Sunshine City’s debut has been a fair form race and he could earn with expected improvement.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Intergalactic (Nkosi Hlophe)
