Andrew Harrison
Punters face a competitive card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today where the exotics are likely to pay healthy dividends for those astute followers of form.
It starts in the first where Siyabamelela has been knocking at the door for some time now and although she carries top weight she was close-up on the poly last start and should put in another big effort in this Open Maiden. Danger may be Wedding Vow who made sudden improvement at her penultimate start and not far back next time out. Cape form is generally stronger than local and she is not visiting to sample the KZN air. Miss Danon has been improving slowly but also has a wide draw to contend with. She is back to a sprint and gets first time blinkers.
Dean Kannemeyer saddles his only runner on the day in De Gulden who takes on older horses but won well at just her second start after a promising Cape debut. She also has the best of the draw. Biggest threat should come from Whatastar who has shown up well in two starts since her maiden win. All three have been on the poly and she is down in class. Acacia’s Blossom is back on her favoured surface and with a 2.5kg claimer aboard she should be competitive.
In the first leg of the Place Accumulator Magical Sky is something of a poly specialist with her last two wins coming over course and distance. She rarely runs a poor race. Catch A Penny won first up on the poly after showing smart Cape form and although she is 3.5kg worse off with Magical Sky she looks capable of further improvement. Kythera is another into the mix as she showed up well first run back from a lengthy lay-off and is lightly race and must have a winning chance.
Glen Kotzen could hold the key to the first leg of the Pick 6. Takethegreenlight was touched off in his local debut and is lightly raced. He steps up in trip and could be the stable elect ahead of the filly Vixen’s War who is tried and tested over the trip and overdue a win. Peeping Tom is in good form of late for Doug Campbell being runner-up in his last two and narrowly beaten on the poly last run.
The fifth is an open handicap but Many Waters has run his best races on the poly and took on stronger when a close-up second last time out. Circle Of Grace is a veteran galloper but has been up against stronger of late. The switch to poly can often bring out the best in older horses. State Capital has shown some recent improvement and has another light weight while Arctic Fury found some market support last outing and is seldom far back and with a handy weight could go all the way.
Mark Dixon has had a run of form of late and sends out Master Du Rouvray in the sixth. The gelding may only now be reaching his peak and won well last time out on the poly. Although shouldering top weight he looks capable. The Wolf was three lengths behind Master Du Rouvray when last they met and has been consistent. He meets his rival on 3kg better terms so must have a strong chance of turning the tables. Prince Of Troy is lightly raced and steps up in trip for the first time. He has a handy galloping weight and is one to watch in the market. Takeyourbestshot has come well on the poly and not one to leave out of any calculations.
The seventh is another competitive handicap. Next Of Kin found one too good for him at his last two but was beaten by a good one last time out and from a handy draw can go one better. Of the balance, World Of Our Own has jumped up the handicap after winner his last two. He gets a 4kg claimer aboard and can still have the wood on Pied Piper who was a length behind him last time out. The 4kg claim could see World Of Our Own confirm that result but it should be close. Sierra Sagrada is up from the Cape but has not been out since July last year after shedding his maiden. The Vaughan Marshal stable is in hot form and Keagan de Melo is aboard. Any market support must be taken seriously.
The ninth is another tricky handicap where Spring Kiss returns from a break but has dropped in the handicap. On her best she will be a big runner. Mystique Rouge is something of a poly specialist and was narrowly beaten last time out. She is comfortable over the trip and rates a strong chance. Jazz Diva has the best of the draw and has shown up well in her last two on the poly. She gets 4kg relief from the saddle.
The last is wide open but Chara Sands goes well over course and distance and had a difficult draw on the turf last run. He has a good draw and a 4kg claimer aboard that should see him competitive. Danger could be Cappellino who is holding form. His last win came over course and distance and he should feature prominently. Lunch Money has the widest draw but is never far back of late. While Zoombomber goes well on the poly and has the best of the draw.
