David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting yesterday got off to a cracking start for punters with the two favourites winning the first two races and a fancied horse winning the third at an attractive price.

In the first over 1000m, an Open Maiden, the Candice and Tammy Dawson-trained three-year-old Pathfork filly Power Of Pearls brought hard-knocking Highveld form in which she had run ten times for three seconds, six thirds and a fourth. She was set to carry 58,5kg off a 73 merit rating as she was given a 2,5kg gender allowance, but in reality she only carried 54,5kg as 4kg claimer Divesh Ramkhalawon was aboard. She bunny hopped as the stalls opened and lost a length or more but then showed fine pace and ended up in a battle for the lead between herself, Highveld Storm and Catrien. She was between that pair but in the straight she kept on finding and, under pressure, she did well to forge ahead  in the final 100m under a cool Ramkhalawon to covert 7/10 odds by one length from a staying on Captain T, with Catrien, Donmagoo and Winter Miracle next best.

In the second, a Maiden over 1400m, the Andre Nel-trained Gimmethegreenlight gelding Prins Jaspar started 2/1 favourite having run a good third in his first start in KZN having had some fair form in Cape Town. Prins Jaspar pinged the gates and never looked back, cruising to a three length win under Serino Moodley with the rest of the field spread out like the washing.

In the third the 93 merit-rated Vaughan Marshall-trained Act Of War filly Victory In Orleans looked an absolute picture in the preliminaries, but against her was the weights in this Middle Stakes event over 1400m for fillies and mares, because she was officially 3kg under sufferance with the best-weighted Infinity Edge. However, she is progressive and won from start to finish in fine style by 1,70 lengths under Callan Murray. Infinity Edge did not settle well and was well beaten in sixth place.

In the next race over 1400m, a Class 4 handicap, the Gareth van Zyl-trained Dubai Dude relished his first outing on the poly and gave Athandiwe a welcome first victory since returning from  injury on March 27, so hopefully this will buoy his confidence. Starting at 8/1, the Declarationofpeace gelding ended up sitting on he quarters of the leader Johnny Boy. He had no cover but settled well. He has plenty of substance and responded well when asked to fetch Grand Appeal who was charging down the inside rail. He got up by a shorthead. He looks like one to follow as he looks to have plenty of scope for further improvement.

In the fifth race over 1000m, a C Stakes event over 1000m, the Kumaran Naidoo-trained six-year-old Rafeef gelding Rainbow Reward relished running over this course and distance since going close over it on December 9 and as he had come down two points since then and was one of the best weighted males here he was fair value at 33/10. He pinged the gates from pole position and found the box seat and in the straight pulled away from them with ease to win by 1,70 lengths under 4kg claimer Anaas Mosaheb.

In the sixth race over 1200m Hollywood Racing claimed their 146th win of the season when the Vengi Masawi-trained William Longsword mare won the Class 4 handicap over 1200m by 0,80 lengths under Sean Veale. She also pinged the gate from pole position and was also in the box seat. She ran on well down the inside to beat the consistent Dawn Surprise by 0,80 lengths.

The seventh race over 1200, a B Stakes event, saw a third victory from he pole position-drawn horse in succession as the Alyson Wright-trained Vercingetorix gelding won by 0,70 lengths under Keagan de Melo from the favourite Black Eagle. He jumped well and from a midfield position on the rail switched out to come home full of running to convert 4/1 odds. He will pay to follow as he was 1kg under sufferance with the favourite under the conditions.

In the last race over 1200, a Class 5 event, Definitely Yes scored a deserved win having gone close at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time over the same trip. She came from a handy position and ran on well under Chad Little to beat L’Ultimo by 0,30 lengths and thus deny yet another win for a pole position-drawn runner.

David Thiselton

The Vaal Classic track has an eight race meeting today and the highest rated race is a Mr 97 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1800m which could be won by Doitwithdiamonds.

The Tony Peter-trained Silvano mare has not run in an ordinary race since early December when finishing a close second over this course and distance in a fillies and mares handicap. Furthermore, she was rated 100 for that race and is now rated 99. In her last three runs, the distance of 1450m was too sharp and she was out at the weights in a Conditions event in February, she was under sufferance and not well drawn in the Listed Acacia Stakes over 1600m in March and last time out in April she did well to be beaten just 2,90 lengths in the Gr 2 TAB Igugu Stakes over 2000m, because she was way under sufferance. She cracks a pole position draw in today’s race, although at time of writing the jockey was unknown. Avoontoast has won over this distance before and should have come on from her last run which followed a rest. Keagan de Melo rides from a good draw off a merit rating which is eight points higher than her highest winning mark, but she did finish a close second off a one point lower mark in her penultimate start. Juliet Tango is 3kg better off with Doitwithdiamonds for a 1,60 length beating just over a year ago over this distance, but Juliet Tango’s form has not been great since. However, she might have benefited from a layoff having not run for about five months. Mount Etna is in good form but has to overcome a five point raise for her last win. Free In Seattle has the form to be a contender if able to overcome a wide draw.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Master’s Lady should make a bold bid from a draw which is towards the right side i.e. a relatively high number. Princess Of All has just as good form but has the number one draw which is usually tricky.  Two-year-old Energia could be dangerous as she has faced top fields in her last two starts and hasn’t been disgraced.

In the second leg of the Pick 6 over 1000m Zoombomber could make a bold bid from draw seven of eleven. Tiger Storm should finish close to Zoombomber considering the form of when they last met. Sergeant Soqrat has not fared well in three starts in succession in KZN, but he has come down three points and has a 2,5kg claimer up too, while this is also the course and distance of his best recent run.

In the fifth, a MR 93 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m Mystical Miss is drawn on the right side and has the form to go close under in form Mickaelle Michel.  Executrix might relish the step down in trip and can’t be ignored. Vanakkam has plenty of speed and ability and should make a bold bid despite being drawn on the low side. Russian Nobility is drawn on the standside and has Craig Zackey up and she could bounce back from her disappointing  second career start having won nicely on debut. Just The Two Of Us beat Vanakkam when they last met, but she is now four points higher and has the potentially unfavourable number one draw.

In the sixth over 1000m Lovable should appreciate the step down in trip and should make a bold bid. Eight Hats ran a cracker last time and should be right there. Blindfire enjoys this course and distance and is drawn in the middle. Jazz Pianist has come down to a competitive merit rating and could be in the shake up. Wings Of Kildra should finish on top of Jazz Pianist on form.

In the eighth race over 1800m Rosy Lemon usually does well in fillies and mares handicaps and can go close here from a good draw over an ideal trip under Serino Moodley. Craig Zackey is aboard Arctic Silver who has a wide draw to overcome but has the form to go close. Kortvandraad is interesting stepped up in trip being by Erupt and she can do well from a plum draw under Mickaelle Michel. Apostrophe is also capable of doing well if able to overcome a wide draw. Play With Fire is always capable of popping up.

In the second over 1600m What A Warrior is well regarded and should make a bold bid over a suitable trip from pole position. Doesyourmotherknow won a fine race last time and should also enjoy this trip, although she does have a tricky draw. Dear Doc should also be in the shake up.

In the first over 1000m Periodic Table should be hard to beat and the good work rider Phenisile Mongqawa rides.

RACE 1

PERIODIC TABLE drifted alarmingly in the betting on debut but still finished an encouraging second and could confirm that promise by going one better with natural improvement expected, though HAMMER BLOW does have the form and experience to fight out the finish. Newcomer SPIRIT OF THE SEA won’t have to be special to pose a threat, especially if the market speaks in his favour.

RACE 2

Improving SHERIFF BILL BROWN relished the step up in distance when opening his account last time over 1400m and the extended 200m should unlock further improvement. However, he could find conceding 3kg to filly DOESYOURMOTHERKNOW a bridge too far. The latter wasn’t winning out of turn when shedding her maiden tag over 1400m and this trip could also be more to her liking. WHAT A WARRIOR and DEAR DOC have the form experience to make their presence felt. LONE HORIZON, capable of better than a disappointing last run suggests, and THE NAME OF DLADLA (engaged to run earlier) complete the shortlist.

RACE 3

PRINCESS OF ALL was returning from almost 4 months off when tiring late to finish second over course and distance recently. She would’ve tightened up with the benefit of that comeback run and will not have to improve much – if at all – to go one better. MASTER’S LADY has been costly to follow but has the form and experience to pose a threat. Stablemate SECRET LIFE and ELEGANT EDGE remain open to improvement so could fill the minor positions.

RACE 4

Veteran 10yo JET CAT was a good fourth at a higher level over this track and trip last time so a repeat of that effort off an unchanged mark could suffice. SERGEANT SOQRAT finished second in that race but subsequently lost his form in KZN so may enjoy being back on the Highveld. INAFIX and ORIENTAL BOUQUET are closely matched on that form so should be right in the mix. Class-dropper LILAC SNOW and hard-knocker ZOOMBOMBER also have the means to get involved. TIME WILL TELL and PALACE REVOLT have dropped in the ratings to a competitive mark so can make their presence felt too.

RACE 5

JUST THE TWO OF US bounced back to her best last time when winning over this trip at a higher level with cheekpieces fitted and a 4-point penalty may not be enough to prevent her from following up with the headgear retained. VANAKKAM, VERSACE ONTHETRACK and BOSUM BUDDY are held on that form but weighted to get closer. MYSTICAL MISS is consistent at this level and should be competitive too. RUSSIAN NOBILITY and EXECUTRIX return from lengthy absences but remain open to improvement so are others to consider.

RACE 6

LOVABLE has good recent form at this level and finished second over this trip off her current mark two starts back. She ought to play another leading role on current form and could emerge victorious with any improvement. BLINDFIRE, QUIET WINTER, WINGS OF KILDRA and returning CRYSTAL GROVE had excuses for disappointing last starts but could have a say if bouncing back to their earlier form. JAZZ PIANIST should strip fitter after a pleasing comeback run and must be respected off a reduced mark. TAKING A RISK finished ahead of that rival last time off her current rating so should have a role to play.

RACE 7

DIMAKO’S JET improved with blinkers fitted to win consecutive 1800m appearances, the latest over track and trip before a break. She carries a 4-point penalty on her return but remains competitive off a career-high mark. Stablemate PALACE DANCER fits a similar profile after bouncing back to her best with a last-start victory over course and distance with blinkers applied, and a 3-point penalty isn’t likely to halt her momentum. DOITWITHDIAMONDS and class-dropper SOLDIER’S EYE are closely matched on the form of a recent Grade 2 meeting and both should be more competitive at this level.

RACE 8

Progressive 3yo SCARLET O’HARA boasts solid form credentials at a higher level, albeit over 2000m. She races off a reduced mark in calmer waters so won’t need to improve to get back to winning ways. Consistent hard-knocker ROSY LEMON is competitive off her current mark and wouldn’t be winning out of turn after consecutive seconds. KORTVANDRAAD caught the eye when a fast-finishing third over 1400m last time and this extended trip could be more to her liking. Stablemate PALACE SCRIPT fits a similar profile so has to be respected. SURPRISE PARTY, PLAY WITH FIRE and APOSTROPHE aren’t taken lightly.

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