Greyville will be all abuzz again tonight as the second meeting of the current night racing series, which runs through until next April, takes place and has eight intriguing races.

In the first, a Maiden Plate over 1600m, Just Like Magic makes appeal as one who has faced some promising sorts without being disgraced and is now up against weaker over a suitable trip from a plum draw and with Anton Marcus up. Apple Jack stayed on last time in his first run around the turn at Durbanville over 1300m after being squeezed at the start so he could do well in his first run for an in form yard over a trip which should suit. Beluga has been expensive to follow over shorter but has always been up against fair sorts, although she is by Argonaut out of a sprinting Fort Wood mare so is not sure to appreciate the step up in trip. Well Bound has been green in two starts over 1200m and could improve over this trip. Courageous King ran on over 1400m here last time and should appreciate the step up in trip.

The second is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m. Winter Wood ran on well over 1200m last time out here and not only has her third run after a rest but should appreciate the step up in trip on pedigree. Roy’s Monkey strikes as one who will relish the step up in trip having run on well from off the pace over 1400m at Scottsville last time out although she does have a wide draw to overcome. Queen Of Thrones is a hard knocker who is suited to the course and distance and Marcus is up from a good draw. Topaz Rain stayed on over 1400m last time and could begin fulfilling her potential as she matures. Royal Mazari could improve over this trip.

The third is a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m. Swan Dance has shown up well behind some fair sorts when up with the pace over further. Last time out with first time blinkers on over 1400m on the poly she over raced early and found no extra late. She could get it right here over the step down in trip, especially considering Delpech is up and that her dam by Fort Wood was speedy. Masked Girl always seems to find one better but she should be right there again as her excuse last time here over 1000m was that she was cut into. Stunning Angel has shown pace over this trip on the Vaal sand before and has Marcus up from pole position.

In the fourth, a Maiden Plate over 1400m, the pole position-drawn Whitley Willows made an eyecatching debut over 1000m at Scottsville last time, starting from an outside draw and continually shifting inward until he was on the inside rail, and he will appreciate the strip up in trip. Oracle Kingdom has always been up against good fields but has shown glimpses of ability and in this weak field could earn over a step up in trip he should enjoy. Aguero is always thereabouts and wasn’t disgraced in a stronger field in his only try at this trip so could earn here.

The fifth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m and Victory Takeover could be the one to side with running over a suitable trip off a competitive merit rating and with a 4kg claimer up. Teppenyaki has good early pace and is interesting stepped down in trip as he could well make a bold bid from the front. The hattrick-seeking Copper’s Pride is improving and is only three points higher for his win over course and distance last time, so should be right there again on this surface he clearly loves. Burwaaz was a touch unlucky over course and distance last time and should be running on strongly again despite being given a three point merit rated raise. Keep Your Light On has come down to a competitive merit rating and could be concerned in the finish if reproducing his maiden win over course and distance.

The sixth is a MR 73 Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares and the promising Silvano filly Tiptol is interesting in her first start on the poly and first try at this trip from a good draw as she has finished strongly from off the pace to win over 1000m on the turf course here before. You Bolt moved up well over 1200m last time at Scottsville and she could prove to have a good kick over this trip on a surface she enjoys. Mogokity is off a competitive merit rating over a suitable trip so should be right there from pole position. Big Sugar ran in a Gr 1 last time and did quite well in some features before that but as a young three-year-old doesn’t have it easy off a merit rating of 83. Royalsecuritypower should finish just about together with Mogokity according to the form of their last meeting over course and distance.

The seventh is a MR 74 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and Shezaleader is a handy type who is interesting with the excellent judge of pace Anton Marcus up, although the wide draw is not ideal. Trini’s Collateral was not disgraced in the KZN Breeders Yearling Sale Million over 1300m when racing green and should relish the step up in trip but she has a tough task off an 89 merit rating. Dizzy Feet looks to be off a competitive merit rating now and could earn over a suitable course and distance having been rested during the Champions Season.

The last is a MR 91 handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m. Taking Chances loves the poly and is only four points higher for her easy course and distance win last time out which came from a similar wide draw. Red Label should be cherry ripe and will appreciate the step down in trip so should be right there. Royal Denise showed some class last time out over this trip at Scottsville when beating some good sorts and she could handle a four point raise over a course and distance she enjoys. Peace Again can never be ignored over this trip on any course and should be finishing strongly. Princess Tantan needed her last start in the Highveld and is drawn in pole over a suitable trip.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Taking Chances (Nkosi Hlophe)