Greyville stages a nine race midweek meeting on the poly today and there look to be some good opportunities for punters.
In race 1 over 1200m Brigtnumberfive made a promising debut over 1000m at Scottsville and was still green so with natural improvement is the one to beat. Euthenia is having her third run after a layoff and will likely attempt to steal it from a better draw than she had last time when tiring late and finishing second over course and distance. Between The Sheets made a fair comeback after a year’s layoff at Scottsville over 1000m when finishing 4,75 lengths behind a promising sort but is a temperamental sort so a lot will depend on how she behaves in the prelims. Roy’s Dancer is by Western Winter and is a half-sister to the consistent 85 merit rated Mumsy’s Jet. Ntokazi by Mullins Bay looks the pick of the Howells first-timers on riding arrangements and her full-brother Mount Hillaby finished second in the R3 million Emperor’s Palace Ready To Run Cup two years ago.
Master James (Nkosi Hlophe)
In race 2, a Maiden over 1600m, New Hampshire should relish the step up in trip on pedigree, being by Dynasty out of an SA Oaks winner, but can’t be tipped confidently as he shows a fair amount of speed and pulled for his head over 1200m last time. Soldier’s Code has a wide draw but is likely still improving and with Delpech up will make a bold bid as he has done well over course and distance before. Shine Up ran on over 1400m last time and should be thereabouts from a good draw. Bankable Teddy improved last time with blinkers over this trip on the Turffontein Inside course and stayed all the way to the line. Team Guys nearly made all over 1800m last time and is probably better suited to that trip, but could earn. Royal Champion is another one who can’t be ignored in an open race.
In race 3, over 1600m, Zaida strikes as a progressive type and with Delpech up could follow up on her maiden win over a step up in trip she should relish. Beautiful Jet has fine form but returns from a nine month layoff. She does not show much at home but has had a couple of gallops. The draw is not a concern as she always drops out and runs on strongly. Classy Looker could earn dropped back to this trip. Le Çhat D’Amour, drawn in pole, has done well over this trip before but would prefer further. Timeforatiger enjoys the poly from 1600m upward but Sean Veale, who handles her temperamental quirks best, has jumped ship on to Classy Looker. Rock Of Laudium could earn if bouncing back from a tailed off run when the jockey believed something was amiss.
In the fourth over 1600m, Queen Of Credit finished only 3,8 lengths back in a Gr 1 over 1400m on July day and having not been disgraced against the boys last time over 1400m should be cherry ripe and in with a good chance off a mere 71 merit rating. The draw is only a slight concern as she likes to run from off the pace. Jive Session ran a fine race in her penultimate over course and distance and now has Marcus up from a good draw. Off Ramp has a chance with Delpech up despite a wide draw. She should have benefitted from her last run over 1200m and will likely prefer this trip.
Le Chat D’Amour (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the fifth over 1600m Master James returns to the distance of his wins and should be cherry ripe in his third run after gelding. Buffalo Bill gets a good draw for a chancg and will go close over what now looks to be his ideal trip. Way Of Light is a progressive sort who is also course and distance suited but the handicapper might be getting to grips with him now. Gold Bank is in fine form and has a chance. Tell The Tale has ability and has a chance if reproducing his best from a good draw.
In the sixth over 1600m Petite Master is said to be in a good space by his yard and from pole position over an ideal course and distance off a reduced merit rating is the one to beat. Charles My Boy won in good style last time and the handicapper hasn’t been harsh on him. Peter Piper is always a threat if behaving himself.
In the seventh over 2000m Battle Hammer was slow away and raced wide when going close over course and distance in his penultimate start so could win from a good draw with Fortune up. Spirit Of Dover went close in his first try at this trip. Night Shadow had been a disappointing type until stepped up to 1800m and winning easily so is interesting stepped up to 2000m. Mr Winsome won well but is off a tough merit rating. Avaricious improved last time and Marcus is now up.
In the eighth over 1400m Jade Vine runs off a merit rating almost 30 points lower than her sand merit rating and is hard to oppose from a good draw over a suitable trip. Chennai Babe and Leylani make most appeal of the rest.
In the ninth over 1000m Wishful Heart runs off a merit rating 20 points lower than his sand rating and is drawn well with Marcus up over a suitable trip. Super Guppy had a sudden form return when beating a fair sort over this trip easily on the Vaal sand last time out and is running off a merit rating 18 points lower than his sand rating. Thunder Run should make a bold bid from the front.
By David Thiselton
