Punters have an opportunity to get off to a good start at tonight’s Greyville meeting with the Des Egdes-trained Caligari Carnival, who appears formless at first glance, but has made eyecatching late progress in her last two turf starts over this trip and Mathew Thackeray keeps the ride from a plum draw against a weak field.
In the fifth, a Graduation Plate over 1800m, the impressive Frank Robinson-trained Olma with Anton Marcus up looks impossible to oppose. That could complete a double for Robinson and Marcus as they have a fine chance in the previous race over 1600m with the progressive sort Leven Point, although the Gavin van Zyl-trained Kashan has come down to a nice merit rating and could represent good each/way value.
Marcus could also win the seventh over 1200m aboard the Sean Tarry-trained Seventh Virtue, who is drawn wide but comes from good formlines and could hold too many guns here.
In the previous race, an apprentice handicap over 1200m, the widely drawn Al Ciberano should be cherry-ripe and with in form Divan Neethling aboard could beat Malted And Bolted.
The Dennis Drier-trained Bomi has caught the eye before and could get it right in the last, a maiden over 1000m, at the expense of the Robbie Hill-trained Tapaway who returns from a layoff but has some fine form against useful opposition and jumps from pole position.
Greyville’s Sunday meeting, which has six races on the polytrack and two on turf, will reach a late highlight when the Paul Gadsby-trained Bezrin gelding Royal Colours attempts the rare feat of making it six wins on the trot in a MR 80 Handicap over 2400m on turf in the last race on Sunday. His last win on turf was off a merit rating of 72 over 2400m at Scottsville and he had to battle hard to get up.
However, his two wins over 2000m on the Greyville poly have been achieved in commanding style and Gadsby confirmed that he would prefer to run him at this easier track, before adding, “He has an outstanding chance again. I think Innate Quality is the horse to beat. Both of our runners are well and Victory Emblem is not without a chance either.”
Innate Quality won over course and distance on Super Saturday by 6,25 lengths and finished just two lengths back in third in the Listed Michaelmas last weekend behind the classy Bold Inspration, so clearly loves the Greyville turf. Victory Emblem is only 2kg better off with Innate Quality for a 6,25 length beating over course and distance, so has his work cut out.
Terracotta Soldier will be 3,5kg better off with Royal Colours for a head beating at Scottsville, but ran poorly on the poly last time over 1800m so is not one that can be relied on. The Garth Puller-trained Lebeoana improved when stepped up to 2000m on the poly last time and the form has been franked.
Modern Spot has snuck into the handicap with minimum weight and also has a 4kg claimer up, so could be a big threat. Nordic Jet makes most appeal of the rest.
The other turf event on Sunday is a Novice Plate over 1800m and it looks to be at the mercy of the Alistair Gordon-trained Assegai, who ran a cracker over 1400m on the poly last weekend and will relish the step up in trip. The only concern is that this is his second run after a layoff.
The second race on Sunday over 1200m on the poly has attracted some top class runners, but Kingston Boy’s impressive turn of foot should see him catching Isobar late. Showmetheway, who has to give 2kg to Kingston Boy, should also be right there.
The third over 1200m sees the debut of White Christmas, a Mike de Kock-trained colt by Right Approach out of the great race mare Ilha Da Vitoria. He should prefer further, but Delpech is taking the ride. Jay Power has a good draw at last, so should earn but the one to beat is National Approval.
In the sixth the hard-knocking Craig Eudey-trained front-runner Chill will likely appreciate the step down to 1400m and the ever improving 4kg claimer Divan Neethling will be a bonus aboard. Roy Royale looks to be the danger.
Picture: Royal Colours (Nkosi Hlophe)
