If you’ve been following the handful of Tony Nassif runners campaigned in KZN this season, especially on the Greyville polytrack, you’ve probably been handsomely rewarded. Highveld-based Nassif has saddled just five runners on the Greyville polytrack this term for two wins and a second, and he saddles Tales Of Mambo who has strong claims on best form in the fourth on the Greyville poly tonight.
Tales Of Mambo has been struggling a bit for form this season but this has resulted in her merit rating taking a nose dive [74 > 53] and the return to KZN – where she’s earned the majority of her stakes to date – could see her bounce back to best. In fact, her last win was on the Greyville poly over 2000m and she seems equally effective over tonight’s shorter mile trip.
Tales Of Mambo (Nkosi Hlophe)
The four-year-old filly looks extremely well in off a current mark of 53 and when you factor in the additional 4kg claim of apprentice Mpumelelo Mjoka, as well as Nassif’s impressive strike rate at this track, Tales Of Mambo appeals as a solid eachway play at opening odds of 13/2.
Exotic players would be justified in playing wide in this apprentice handicap and course and distance specialist Gavea Girl is one that warrants inclusion in all perms. Like Tales Of Mambo, her merit rating has been dropping – albeit less dramatically – and the removal of the blinkers suggests that her poor last effort over this track and trip can be forgiven.
Roy’s Dollar beat a few of these home, including Gavea Girl, four starts back over this track and trip and warrants respect with the blinkers fitted following a few one-paced efforts.
The exciting and innovative 20/20 format limits Anthony Delpech to just four rides this evening but he could get the ball rolling early with Fashion Talk in the opener. Delpech has been somewhat selective with his rides since his recent return from injury but he upped his average mounts per meeting with seven rides at Greyville on Sunday and scored with three of them. Fashion Talk loves the poly and was a fluent winner at this track two starts back. A solid follow-up effort suggests that she’s still competitive off her revised mark and Fashion Silk is another that looks value at opening odds of 9/2.
The Dennis Drier yard raised a few eyebrows midweek with a big-priced double and can score again with Sazerac in the third. The Philanthropist filly over-raced last time out and appears at her best when held up for a run. She produced a strong finish from off the pace two starts back and a repeat of that effort could prove enough to score in this lineup.
By Brendan Pather
