The weekend racing in KZN provides a few opportunities for punters to increase their bankrolls before the fireworks in the South African Champions Season begin.
Dennis Drier (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the first race at tonight’s 20/20 polytrack meeting at Greyville, the Dennis Drier-trained Giveuwings will be staying on over a step up in trip to 1400m she will appreciate and could win if starting faster than last time.
In the second race the Michael Roberts-trained filly La Carmelita is a typically big and long-striding daughter of Ideal World who was staying on strongly over 1200m at Scottsville on debut, so will relish this step up to 1400m. The danger will be Roy’s Monkey, who pulled over 1600m last time out so will likely relish the step down to 1400m.
In the third Burnburry was disappointing on Wednesday with first time blinkers over 1200m, but if she takes her place and the headgear comes off she should be staying on strongly over the minimum trip here in an uninspiring field. Her stablemate Pop Star ran on in eyecatching style in the same 1200m race on Wednesday so will be a big runner here. Minnie The Minx finished close up over course and distance in February and top rider Muzi Yeni should give her every chance.
In the fourth the Highveld raider Alaca showed pace throughout over 1000m at the Vaal last time out in his first outing as a gelding and won by a comfortable 2,8 lengths. He was still full of running at the line so could possibly follow up, although is by no means a confident selection having to jump from draw ten over a step up in trip to 1200m. Royal Roy’s improved effort last time over this trip at Scottsville looks quite good on paper and he should be running on strongly again for an in form yard despite the wide draw. Out My Way could follow up on his 1000m win despite a wide draw as he has the considerable advantage of a sort after 4kg claimer aboard.
Ginger Biscuit (Nkosi Hlophe)
The fifth race is over 1000m and there is plenty of pace in the race so this should set it up well for the closer Ginger Biscuit, despite his topweight. Kept Secret is another closer who should be closing in late. Regardstobroadway has always struck as a decent sort and has stayed on from the front before so could also be in the frame.
In the sixth over 1000m, Thunderwood was not at all disgraced over 1400m last time when out at the weights in a Progress Plate. He was staying on and from pole position with an astute apprentice up should be right there. The consistent Do Be Snappy will love the course and distance and the topweight Spanish Captain has some class. However, it is quite an open race and an upset result wouldn’t be a great surprise.
In the seventh over 1600m, the form of Vogue idea’s last run over course and distance has worked out very well and she is the one to beat. Lady Ming ran a cracker against a useful sort the last time she ran over course and distance and has a plum draw of three. Ruby Gem won her maiden over course and distance and returns to the poly for the first time since so should be competitive having run quite well last time out from a wide draw over 1400m on the Greyville turf.
The eighth over 1800m Koncealed looks to have plenty of ability, is well drawn over a step up in trip he will enjoy and the form of his only poly start to date over 1600m has worked out well.
Do Be Snappy (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the last race over 2000m the consistent and course and distance suited Live On The Moon could follow up on his last win off just a two point higher merit rating as the form of that win has worked out well and he jumps from another good draw. Highveld raider Triple Beat has gone close twice over course and distance and is a big runner too, while Impact Zone must also be considered.
Scottsville’s first race on Sunday is of interest as first-timer Apres Ski is a well-bred son of Western Winter and Dennis Drier, who has won five of the last six renewals of the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion, hasn’t delivered a true contender for the latter race yet. Apres Ski doesn’t have much to beat, although Gio Ponti’s Legacy caught the eye staying on from well back on debut and should make the frame.
The Listed Sledgehammer over 1750m could see Justin Snaith’s good start to the SA Champions Season continuing with the classy Master’s Eye. He has to carry topweight but should be staying on as he was in the Gr 2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m last time for fifth place.
The Listed Scarlet Lady could also be fought out by Cape Town horses with Zante and Ma Choix making most appeal.
The Highland Knight Cup over 2400m is also an interesting race and the progressive Solar Star is tipped to beat home useful local stayer Qatar Springs, while Crime Victim could earn over a suitable course and distance off a two point lowered merit rating.
The best bet on the card could be Flash Fire in the second over 1400m where she looks difficult to oppose having been unlucky on debut over the same trip at Kenilworth, despite not having settled well early.
By David Thiselton
