Andrew Harrison
Punters are faced with a tricky card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today with the programme peppered with low-grade handicaps, the first of which kicks off proceedings.
But where there is uncertainty, there are profits to be made and Quiz Master can get the ball rolling in a tricky opening sprint. Lorenzo Karriem’s gelding raced wide from a tough draw last start but was making progress in a race won by the well-thought-off Diani. Quiz Master has at least been consistent and with a better draw and a very much in form Keagan de Melo aboard, he has the right credentials. Grey Ocean tried to make all last run in an apprentice race but was caught in the last few strides. Under a more judicial ride from Muzi Yeni he could go all the way. Veteran galloper Leslies Pathtofame got up close home to edge out Grey Ocean in that race and there should not be much between them again. Dark horse is Bugsy Malone. He has been rested but comes from a very much in form stable and significantly has dropped substantially in the handicap from a 74 to a 61 in his last five starts
In the second, New Orleans has a handy galloping weight and is 1.5kg better off with Dunyaa since their last meeting. The blinkers go on and De Melo stays aboard. Magicallee showed her customary pace last run but was still not able to match the end-to-end winner. She is now 2 kg better off with Dunyaa on their last meeting and should be able to turn the tables. Mark Dixon sends out Get In The Q who was a comfortable maiden winner and had consistent form prior to that. Her win was on the turf but she has gone well on the poly. Capriana is another better off at the weights with Dunyaa for less than a length beating. She now has the best of the draw and only 49.5kg to shoulder.
Best bet on the card could be the Glen Kotzen runner Such A Cracker in the third. She is the stable’s only runner on the day and has run her two best races on the poly. She gets first-time blinkers and may prove to be the one to beat. If You Say So was much improved in blinkers last run when starting at long odds but she is still improving and can go close in this line-up. French Princess made a promising poly debut when trying to make all and was only caught late. She has a strong chance off a light weight.
Pedro heads a tough handicap in the fourth although he has another wide draw to contend with. He was doing his best work late last run after finding traffic and with some luck in running he can finish closer. Fleet Commander has improved since switching to the poly. He was a recent maiden winner in spite of racing green but did not get a penalty for that effort and could be well in at the weights. One Shot Wonder has been improving slowly and was not far back over course and distance last outing. He comes from an in-form stable.
The fifth is a wide-open fillies handicap and it may be a good plan to go wide in the exotics. Garth Puller saddles Miss Lialah who ran a cracker from a wide draw last outing and with her 4kg claimer still aboard she could get it right. Fashionigma was a recent maiden winner but was not far back in her handicap debut. She is consistent and should be a big runner. There should be very little between the consistent Bell Starbuster and Roy’s Rocker, a length separating the pair when last they met.
If things go according to plan, Karriem could be looking at a treble as he sends out Juan Carlos in the sixth. The entire may have found his last start too far as prior to that he was close-up on the poly and he appears to have improved with the blinkers removed. Exceeder surprised last run but that was only his third local start and he appears to have come to hand while Cherokee shed his maiden at third time of asking for Robbie Hill and took to the poly. He got a hefty rating for that win but he does look progressive.
In the seventh, Maxiumus is holding form and can go one better over an ideal course and distance for Dean Kannemeyer but Botz has been threatening for some time now and Sean Veale, Dennis Drier’s stable rider, has flown up from Cape Town for the mount. Botz failed narrowly last run and can go one better. Three-year-old Parmenion has dropped in the handicap and only has 50kg to shoulder. He could prove more effective over this shorter trip while Captain Who is seldom too far back and goes well this trip.
Royal Kitty looks the part in the last as she goes very well over course and distance and was narrowly beaten last start. Kom Naidoo sends out Badrah who has a wide draw to contend with but loves the poly and did well first run back from PE. The extra should suit. Weiho Marwing makes the trip from Gauteng with Angel’s Wish who has some useful Highveld from in strong fields. She makes her poly debut but looks competitive while Venturous has run her best recent races on the poly. She has a fair weight to shoulder but should be right there.
