Race Previews Greyille Sunday (poly) Nov 6 by Andrew Harrison

Race 1

Preview: MISSIBABA has some useful Highveld form. This will be her poly debut and first run for new stable but rates the one to beat. DUNDRUM is lightly raced but her best effort has been over course and distance. A repeat will see her in the firing line. BACK IN TOWN has a tricky draw to overcome but has run two smart races over course and distance and should be thereabouts. LIL GAMBLER has had two runs since a break. She goes well on the poly and looks set to improve. (Andrew Harrison: 5-1-2-6).

Race 2

Preview: PATH TO GLORY has had two outings since returning from a lengthy break. She shows some promise and from a good draw is a big runner. ZINZARA was a beaten favourite last run but was a close-up third on her poly debut. A repeat showing will see her go close again. BABY IN BLACK has had a few chances but is in good form. He best showing shave been over course and distance. LOAST WITHOUT YOU has shown up well in two outings for her new yard. This is her third run after a lengthy break and should be primed. (Andrew Harrison: 6-1-2-3).

Race 3

Preview: BLETCHLEY has run two smart races to date. He was narrowly beaten at his second start and can go one better. SILVER RIDGE has had two starts in the Cape and made good improvement at his second start. He has a good draw here and is in with a strong chance. SECRET SERVICE is struggling to shed his maiden but has good form on the poly track. Distance suited from a good draw he could get it right this time ANGEL LANDING shows some promise. He has drawn a little deep but is progressive and another in with a chance. (Andrew Harrison: 4-9-1-2).

Race 4

Preview: Weak field. JE SUIS SILVER has shown some promise and made a smart poly debut when just beaten. She gets Marcus up and should be right there. SHE DONE GOOD has been running on strongly at recent outings. With Delpech up we could be in for a good finish. SWIIS NOTE has been knocking at the door for some time now but is struggling to win. TROPICAL WONDER has been trying further but does show some ability and can place. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-1-6).

Race 5

Preview: Wide open. CALL ME WINTER made no show when returning from a break in soft ground at Scottsville. She has shown ability and can make major improvement here. FLY PEG FLY is back over what looks to be her optimum trip. She has been taking on stronger at recent outings and with a claiming apprentice up from a good draw should be a big runner. GINGER BISCUIT is never far back and has also been up against stronger fields at recent outings. WINTER DARLING could prove best of the Bosch runners with her light weight. She is overdue another win. (Andrew Harrison: 6-3-4-12).

Race 6

Preview: Tricky. SWAKOPMUND has come back well from a lengthy break and goes well over this course and distance. He took on much stronger last run and was far from disgraced. OUT MY WAY has run two crackers over course and distance and there should be little between him and HO’OPONOPONO who have finished on top of each other in their last two. The latter has the better gate. MR MCSTEAMY takes a ride in class but has a postage stamp to carry and has been in good form since back in blinkers. (Andrew Harrison: 3-7-5-10)

Race 7

Preview: THE ROYAL RUMBA is having his third start after a lengthy break. He is right down in the ratings and has shown up well in two starts over shorter. This is his optimum trip and he should go close. UNBELIEVABLE CHAD has been a touch disappointing but a matter to time before he finds his best form. He is also well down in the ratings and now looks competitive. JAMA never runs a poor race. He was a game winner last time out and has a strong chance again. MERCADO comes with some fair Highveld form. If he takes to the poly with a handy weight he could be dangerous. The grey PENHALIGON is always game. He has been up against stronger at recent outings and is not without a chance on his best effort. (Andrew Harrison: 3-6-4-5)

Race 8

Preview: DAWN CALLING is top class and failed narrowly in her comeback run in a useful field. She will much prefer this trip and although taking on colts she could prove more than a match. MY PAL AL went down narrowly to the highly rated Roy’s Magic last time out. He shows promise and a repeat should see him in the money again. PALLADIUM was caught late last run but has shown up well in two strong races. He makes his poly debut. WINTER IS COMING took a hefty kick up the ratings after winning his maiden by eight. This race should tell if that was justified as he takes on much stronger. He does have the best of the draw and Delpech up. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1-2).

Race 9

Preview: ON THAT NOTE makes her local debut can comes off some promising Cape form. She looks to have a bright chance from a good draw. QUEEN DIVA was caught late when favourite for her last start. She has improved at recent outings. UNDER THE ROSE has improved in blinkers. She has been trying further and could appreciate the drop in trip. KUDRA was a beaten favourite at her last start. Her best effort has been over course and distance and she cannot be written off. (Andrew Harrison: 5-3-8-4)

What are the chances of Pearl Emblem continuing on her run of victories at Greyville tonight? Paul Lafferty’s mare bids for her fifth straight win and seventh of the season when she lines up in the Greta Schoeman Memorial Handicap over her favoured 1400m on the poly track.

Statistics are against her and it will be harder as the handicappers have upped the ante but many of those in opposition have already fallen victim to her relentless galloping. As any jockey will tell you, winning from the front is never easy and always a risk, especially when the opposition is wise to the tactic.

But Lafferty has placed his mare well and taken full advantage of the 4kg claim of apprentice Denis Schwarz. Schwarz was recording the sixth win of his career when winning on the mare back in September and has more than doubled his tally of victories in under two months.

Pearl Emblem (Nkosi Hlophe)

Schwarz gets on particularly well with his mount who has enough gate speed and pace to make it to the front and settle into a rhythm, but holding onto that lead will be fully tested this evening.

Off Ramp was well beaten when last the two met but that was the first outing for Dean Kannemeyer’s mare in two months and she looked short of an edge that day. She has shown good form over the trip and with apprentice Eric Ngwane taking 1,5kg off her back there is a 3,5kg swing in the weights with Pearl Emblem. Off Ramp is expected to strip a little fitter this time around and should make things difficult for Pearl Emblem.

Kannemeyer has a second string to his bow in the form of Peach Delight who ran a cracking sprint behind the progressive Isingamoya at Scottsville last time out. She will much prefer today’s trip and from a plum draw will be running at Pearl Emblem come the line.

Anton Marcus gets the leg up on Waity Katie for Candice Bass-Robinson and the daughter of Jay Peg has had two outings since arriving in KZN. She showed up well in both and although she makes her poly debut she will not be without her supporters.

It’s a difficult race to call with any certainty but Pearl Emblem’s winning streak could come to an end. Kannemeyer looks to hold the key with his two runners and Peach Delight is taken to get home ahead of Off Ramp with Pearl Emblem and Waity Katie also in the scrum.

Marcus can get the Pick 6 ball rolling aboard Napoli in the third. Glen Kotzen’s gelding has been up against much stronger at recent outings and a two-pound relief in the ratings and a drop in class should make him ultra competitive.

Gingerbread Man won well last time out and a rise in class may not be enough to stop him in the Klinger Mzansi Handicap, first leg of the Jackpot. He seems to have some scope and can follow up in what is not a strong field. Sharp Seattle was doing his best work late when making his poly debut and could prove the biggest threat but a possible upset could come in the form of Singh Is King. The gelding proved extremely difficult at the start of his last intended race, refusing to load before dropping his rider and being withdrawn. He has however, he has quickly dropped 20 points in the ratings and with apprentice Tristan Godden taking a further 2,5kg off his back he could surprise if getting to start.

The Alyson Wright-trained Diamond In The Sky has been lumbered with a high rating from the outset but her form since her debut victory has been a touch disappointing. However, the ratings do tell a story and she does look to have enough scope to win the E Snell & Co Handicap. She has the best of the draw here and should contest the finish. Maggie Muggins shed her maiden at third time of asking and that form has panned out well. She has been a late starter but also appears to have something to come and will be a threat. As will Chill Baby Chill who has her second outing for her new stable and is sure to be better for the run.

By Andrew Harrison

Leading apprentice Lyle Hewitson was on 99 winners in the professional ranks going into today’s meeting at the Vaal.

If he clinches the milestone 100^th it will likely be in record breaking time.

He only had his first professional ride eight months ago on March 6.

He regards Persian Approval in race 5 and Water Lily Lake in race 2 as his best rides today.

Regarding Water Lily Lake he said, “We only have the stable companion (Rebel To The Fore) to beat.”

By David Thiselton

When it comes to most sports there is no substitute for class and that is especially true in horseracing when it comes to horses and jockeys. There was plenty in evidence at Greyville yesterday as Lala outclassed her rivals in the Open Handicap while top riders Anton Marcus and Anthony Delpech showed their mastery of the Greyville poly track.

Lala (Nkosi Hlophe)

Lala has always been well regarded by her stable and she confirmed Doug Campbell’s opinion with a solid victory in the opening leg of the jackpot. Well handled by apprentice Denis Schwarz, he always had Lala in the firing line as Seattle Belle made the early running and making full use of his 4kg claim he got the daughter of Visionaire to quicken away from her rivals to win rather comfortably with Playboy Buddy and Mamasita chasing her home.

Marcus and Delpech generally have free range when it comes to booking rides but in the end, they still have to get them home.

Delpech pounced late on Icy Spirit for Alyson Wright to undo favourite La Di Var two jumps from the line in the second but had to be content with runner-up berths on Dean Kannemeyer’s runners Playboy Buddy and favourite Tanjiro who found a fast-finishing Olympic Power too much to handle in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap. Delpech made amends for Kannemeyer in the sixth, keeping favourite Soldier’s Code hard to his task to hold off the attentions of Golden Fort and Breakfast Club.

Marcus opened his account with a comfortable win in the card opener on Malhama, the Mike de Kock-trained Australian bred daughter of Commands finishing like a train, and followed up two races later with a superbly timed finish on One O Won. Marcus had Garth Puller’s runner last turning for home but as is his want, he switched his mount towards to the outside rail and One O Won responded with a telling stretch run to win going away from Newyorkstateofmind and Aramouse.

In spite of apprentice Eric Ngwane’s best efforts, Nicklaus gave him a torrid ride in the seventh. Hanging out under pressure he never left Thirtytwo Squadron and Tristan Godden alone for a furlong and the resulting objection and reversal of the result was no surprise.

There was some relief for punters in the last as the well fancied Arctic Teon responded to a driving ride from Keagan de Melo to finally shed his maiden.

By Andrew Harrison

The Vaal has a low key nine race meeting on Thursday but punters will be looking to “fill their wallies” before Saturday’s much anticipated Peermont Emporor’s Palace Charity Mile meeting.

The highest class race on the day is the second, a Graduation Plate for fillies and mares over 1000m.

It is an intriguing race because the best weighted horse, Rebel To The Fore, faces the year younger Gr 1 runner up Seattle Singer. Rebel To The Fore was last seen in action at Greyville in July last year in the Gr 2 Debutante Stakes and caught the eye with a powerful finish after being dropped out to last from a high draw. She failed by just 0,5 lengths to catch the useful Cosmic Light and was two lengths clear of the rest, which included the like of Lala. She will likely be fit enough coming from the yard of champion trainer Sean Tarry. She is 4,5kg better off with Seattle Singer on official merit ratings. She showed enough speed to win over 1000m on debut and can do well over the trip again running fresh.

The low draws are favourable on this course by trends, so her draw of four in a six horse field is tricky but she will likely be dropped in behind them. Seattle Singer is ultra-consistent and showed her class when finishing runner up, beaten three lengths, in the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Gold Medallion over 1200m against the boys. In her last start she was undone by a low draw on Grand Heritage day. She has speed, as she showed in that last start when only caught late, and has the plum draw of one here. She is the selection to win despite having a hard task on paper as she will be the more race fit of the two main protagonists.

Water Lily Lake hasn’t run since this year’s Debutante Stakes at Greyville. She was dropped out from a wide draw and stayed on fairly well to be beaten 4,45 lengths. She might appreciate the step down in trip, but doesn’t look to have quite the same class as her stablemate Rebel To The Fore. She is officially 6kg under sufferance with the latter, but should fill the last trifecta position as the other three runners are all hopelessly out at the weights.

The best bet on the card comes in the last race, a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m. The Johan Janse van Vuuren-trained Australian-bred High Chaparral filly Being Fabulous looked full of class when making her debut over 1200m on the Turffontein Inside track from a high draw. She was caught a bit out of her ground, but her long stride caught the eye in the run in and it would be no surprise to see her contesting the classics this season. She has a fair draw of seven and will relish this step up in trip. Gavin Lerena has stayed aboard.

The hard knocking Rouge Allure looks to be the main danger, but on visual appearances does not look as classy as the selection. The Mike de Kock-trained Western Winter filly Oh My Darling could also prove to be a classy sort in time. On debut over this trip on the Turffontein Inside track she was caught flat footed in the straight before staying on well for third against a decent field. That was not surprising as she is out of the Fort Wood filly Sweetie Pie, who won the Gr 2 Gold Circle Oaks over 2400m. She is likely to find this a touch sharp again, although she should be finishing strongly and could be a threat running fresh.

The seventh, a MR80 handicap over 1800m, is an intriguing MR 80 Handicap over 1800m. Analyse This ran in the Grand Heritage and the 1475m trip there always appeared to be too sharp. It was thus a surprise to see him hitting the front 400m out. However, he was run out of it. On pedigree he should actually be a speedster, but it is his action which suggests he will enjoy this trip. It will be interesting to see if he does get it and from a plum draw of two with Gavin Lerena up he is the selection to beat Bold Rex and Trip To Troy.

Bold Rex won last time out over 1600m in his second run after gelding. The Bold Silvano youngster won extending at the line so should love this rip, but a four points raise has taken him to an 89 merit rating, which is never easy for a young three-year-old to win off against older horses, even if the weight for age scale gives them due compensation. Trip To Troy was also given a four point raise for a running on win over 1600m and Strydom has remained aboard. However, it will be tough from a wide draw.

In the following race over 1400m Strydom has remained aboard Refuge, who is an up and coming sort with a touch of class. He gets a good draw, unlike last time. He is selected to carry topweight to victory, despite being a three-year-old against older horses, as he looks to be capable of progressing further.

The first race is an interesting one and Osculation, who ran well on Grand Heritage day, is selected to upset Claremorris, who had the run of the race from a good draw last time and now has a tricky draw.

The third is also a tough one, but the interesting horse is Grand Heritage winner Irish Pride’s half-sister Cathedral Country. This Trippi filly has the plum number one draw in the 1200m contest with Anthony Delpech up, so it would be no surprise to see getting off to a winning start.

David Thiselton