Greyville stages an eight race meeting on tonight, the first four on the poly and the others on turf, and punters who have done their homework should be rewarded as most of the races are competitive.
Black Cashmere (Nkosi Hlophe)
In race one, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, Elusive Wolf raced green for much of his first two starts, but the penny appeared to drop late in his last outing over this trip on the turf when wearing first-time blinkers, and he then caught the eye, so gets the vote with Delpech now up from a good draw. Hearts R’ Pumping led with first-time blinkers over 1600m on the poly last time and went close so should be thereabouts again in the uninspiring field. Jabuticaba should be improving and has the ability to earn a place in this field. Putchini was relaxed in the running for a change last time out despite running wide and consequently ran to his ability and with a repeat he should be involved in the finish as long as he doesn’t jump too slowly. Powder Keg has not been disgraced in some fair fields although his best form has been over 1200m. The first-timer Eton is by Black Minnaloushe and is a half-brother to a couple of multiple winners. First-timer Enemy Action is by Brave Tin Soldier out of a Badger Land maiden.
Race two is a very competitive Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m which has a number of possible winners. Imbali was backed on debut and ran on to be four lengths back in sixth from a tough draw over the Scottsville 1000m, so she gets the vote from a good draw as she will relish the step up in trip on pedigree. Catherine Of Aragon has some early speed and on pedigree should relish the step up in trip, being out of a seven-time winning Gr 3 victor from 1600-2450m. Blue Beach was still green last time but stayed on strongly and if getting into the race earlier has a shout, although she would likely prefer further being a full-sister to a 2400m winner. Roy’s Monkey did well when taken to the front last time on turf and from draw two with Marcus up has an ideal chance to repeat the tactic. Young Lass had to be rousted after starting slowly on debut and stayed on quite well in the straight without being cut in half so some improvement can be expected from this eyecatching sort although her pedigree suggests she might be suited to shorter (her full-sister Nordic Lass won her maiden over 1450m but was subsequently kept to sprints and her half-brother Mr Mickey Mouse was a Listed-winning 1000m specialist). All of Villa Floriana, Daenerys and Being Julia could earn too.
The third is a MR 66 handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. Black Cashmere is interesting stepped down in trip. She went to the front from a wide draw over 1600m on the Greyville turf when winning her maiden second time out and beating a decent sort in the process. She then overraced over the same course and distance last time which suggests she could be interesting over this suitable trip as she should have enough pace to get to the front from a wide draw. Obrega went close over course and distance in October in a similar field from a similar draw and off the same merit rating. Donna Amata is drawn in pole and could run on into the money, but she does tend to start slowly and would likely prefer 1600m.
Donna Amata (Nkosi Hlophe)
The fourth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1600m and Strategic’s Pride makes most appeal as he has an ideal draw with Anton Marcus aboard and has a lowered merit rating, so on recent evidence should be finishing strongly over an ideal course and distance. Danish Wood appeared to love the course and distance on his return to action last time when sharing the spoils and from pole position should make another bold bid off just a two point higher mark. Second Lieutenant could earn from a handy position having not been disgraced last time over this distance on turf in a race in which he was 4,5kg under sufferance.
The fifth is a MR 74 Handicap over 1600m and Night Shadow has been in fine form since being stepped up to a distance beyond this trip. However, the key might be being by Silvano he has simply come into his own, and on recent evidence he could be too classy for this field. Capel Top is drawn in pole off a four point higher mark than his last win, which was over this trip on the poly, and he should be staying all the way to the line over a trip which is probably the shortest of his stamina range. Argyle Bay has been running on late over 1400m so is interesting here off an attractive merit. He starts slowly so the wide draw shouldn’t be too much of a concern as he can be slotted in behind the field. Roy’s Strike Force has run on over 1200m and could earn here if staying the trip, which he could do as his National Assembly dam finished second in a Listed race over a mile. Rocky Bay, representing an in form yard, is one point lower than his last winning mark and ideally distance suited.
The sixth is a MR 86 Handicap over 2000m and Kitty’s Destiny has always struck as one with plenty of ability and as one who would improve with age and over distance so from a god draw off a likely capped merit rating he could follow up on his recent facile victory on the poly over this trip. Qatar Springs has come class and is distance suited. Dante’s Legacy has been highly tried, so is obviously well regarded, and in his third run after a layoff is drawn in pole over a step up in trip he will enjoy.
The seventh is a MR 62 Handicap for fillies and mares over 2000m and Lady Ami at last gets a good draw over her best trip and she has been lowered in the merit ratings. The hard-knocking Class Mondiale should be thereabouts if able to find the front without using up too much energy. Tales Of Mambo now has Marcus up having proved herself suited to this trip, although she doesn’t have an easy draw. Jet NTombi has a tough draw but should be running on. Barcelona Babe is likely improving being by Silvano and could earn.
The last is a MR 70 Handicap over 2000m and the improving Pure Valor has Marcus up from a fair draw and can make amends for his last race when just touched off over this trip on the poly. Forest has some class and is interesting stepped down to 2000m. Jamal is well drawn over a suitable trip and has come down to an attractive merit rating.
By David Thiselton
