The second of the Greyville meetings this weekend, to be run on Sunday, has eight races with an even split between polytrack and turf and there look to be some fair opportunities for punters.
In the first race, a Maiden over 1200m on the poly, Master Sam has a strong formline behind some of the best horses in the province and has improved in his training since being gelded, so will be hard to beat despite returning from a four month break as he is fit enough. Hot Chilli found no extra late when handy throughout over 1400m on the turf last time out and is interesting with first-time blinkers over this trip from a plum draw under Delpech. Lancat ran on well over 1000m last time in a stronger overall field than this after losing a length at the start and should appreciate the step up in trip. First-timer Global Flyer is a New Zealand-bred by Stravinsky. Black Samurai and Tropical’s Son are by King’s Chapel and Tropical Empire respectively.
Beloved Country (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the second over 1200m, Anton Marcus rides Joyful Mystery, who will likely enjoy the 1200m because this should enable her to settle in behind, which is how it panned out on her debut when running on strongly from behind, whereas in her second start over1400m at Scottsville she fell in a hole from a handy position. Spinning Win showed some zip on debut after a tardy start and should appreciate the step up in trip. Turquoise Water is an Australian-bred first-timer by Authorized and is owned by Drakenstein Stud. Eternal Blossoms is by Ideal World and a full-sister to two-time winner Panchatanta. Paixe Emblem could earn again here.
In the third, a fillies and mares maiden over 1600m, Seventh Moment is the obvious choice having run well in three sprints at Scottsville but on pedigree there is a stamina question mark. Milla’s Smile, a full-sister to a Listed winning miler, is therefore the marginal choice as she ran on well over 1400m at Scottsville in late September in a stronger field than this when needing the run and will appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree. Grand Jury could also go close as the blinkers should help her get into the race earlier as she ran on strongly too late last time for second in an admittedly weak field.
In the fourth, a maiden for fillies over 2000m, Work Ethic should relish the course and distance, having been baulked before flying late for a close third over 1700m at the Vaal last time out. She is ultra-consistent and has a good draw. Lady Linda ran a close second over course and distance last time and could still be improving. However, Work Ethic’s form looks a touch stronger. Racey-J is improving and could earn.
The next four races will all be on turf, weather permitting.
In the fifth, a Conditions Plate over 1000m for fillies and mares, Beloved Country is very well treated at the weights and this classy sort looks hard to oppose from pole position under Anton Marcus. Regardstobroadway is an up and coming sort with a big reputation and the turf might be what she is looking for after a decent effort behind a good sort on the poly over this trip last time. Miss Argentina makes most appeal of the rest.
Kentucky Guest (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1200m, Top Form has plenty of natural pace so will have an advantage from pole position over a suitable trip. Theseus has some class and from a good draw should go close as he has run well fresh before. Spanish Captain showed promise when winning on debut and should have come on from the run so will be a big danger as he could still be anything. Monte Christo has shown signs of class in both outings but his wide draw makes it tough. Hunting Owl is joint best in at the weights with Monte Christo, but will have to bounce back from a poor effort last time.
In the seventh, is a MR 81 Handicap over 2400m, and Star Point faces Forest on the same weight terms as when beating him with a bit in hand over this trip at Scottsville. He looks a useful stayer in the making. Forest, as a three-year-old by Silvano, is likely to be improving all the time and will not make it easy for the first choice from a plum draw. Qatar Springs has some class over this trip. Kentucky Guest has dropped to a six point lower mark than his last win and is interesting in his first attempt at this trip. Innate Quality bounced back to form with an easy win over this trip at Scottsville last time but is unreliable and two points higher than his highest winning mark.
The last is a MR 84 Handicap over 1600m and Snowman is an interesting runner here as one who is held in high regard and who has certainly shown signs of class before over this trip. His draw is a concern and he is only the marginal choice over the well drawn Fully Charged who ran on well over 1400m last time and should be cherry ripe in his third run after a layoff. Worship Dancer is an eyecatching sort who should be in the shake up off just a two point higher mark than his last win. Saint Marco is unbeaten in two and should enjoy the step up in trip on pedigree but the wide draw is a concern in his first run around the turn. Cage Fighter and Nitro Nori have good draws and make most appeal of the rest.
By David Thiselton
