Andrew Harrison
What A Fortune can open his account in KZN when he lines up in a Middle Stakes that heads the card on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. The Candice Bass-trained gelding has had two starts since arriving from the Cape for the season and has finished close-up in both.
He was narrowly beaten first up on the poly last time out and although he drops back in trip from a wide draw he does have a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard.
It’s not a straight forward race with Highveld form in play as The Specialist makes his poly debut for Sean Tarry. The gelding was not far back last run in a small Turffontein feature won by stable companion Jersusalema Rain. He was coming off a hattrick of wins prior to that and is down in class. MJ Odendaal saddles Thisiswhatitmeans who was outclassed last run on the turf but had solid poly form prior to that run. He has a big weight but still looks capable. Golden Destiny is back to a sprint and although he does look narrowly held by What A Fortune he must have a chance.
In the first, What A Classic improved first run on the poly behind the progressive Green Energy. She has the best of the draw and is back against her own sex. Sei Bella was a beaten favourite last run but has done better and gets first time blinkers while Red Hot Miss has shown up well in both starts to date and stays the trip which is in her favour.
In the first leg of the Place Accumulator, Christmas Rose started at long odds on debut but was not far off the winner. The experience will count although she does take on older runners including Brightsunnyday who has improved since trying a little further. She has it all to do with top weight but does get first time blinkers. Peaceful Duchess has improved since a change of stables and a switch to the poly. She has the best of the draw and the extra will suit. Chihiro has yet to earn for Lucinda Woodruff but has not been too far back in the Cape so the poly could bring out the best.
The Michael Roberts-trained Good Omen will never get a better chance of shedding his maiden in the first leg of the Pick 6. He has been consistent and the step up in trip should not be an issue. Gimme The Truth has shown up well on both local starts and is the most likely danger and he has run well on the poly. Crimson Typhoon was narrowly beaten over course and distance last run and gets the same apprentice aboard which is in his favour. Bourbon’s Beast has been disappointing and tends to lack extra when it matters but is seldom too far back.
Garth Puller’s mare Fine Wine is a scratching given stipes permission as she lines up in the KwaZulu-Natal Breeders 1900 on Saturday. Her defection leaves the way open for Chasing Gold who was a touch disappointing last run but her form before that has been thoroughly franked and she goes well on the poly and will be a big runner. Ebisu makes her poly debut and has shown some promise. If she takes to the poly she will be a threat. Red Coral is 1kg worse off with Chasing Gold on their last meeting but the former may have run a little below her best.
The fifth is a wide open handicap but Dawn Surprise is always competitive and the Gary Rich stable is in good form. She goes well over course and distance and should be right there again. Innerbloom is way better than her last Cape effort. She has a handy galloping weight and should be competitive if taking to the poly. Ruby Rising has improved at recent outings and enjoyed the extra furlong last time out. She meets Thought Control on the same terms with little more than a neck separating them but the latter has the wider draw to contend with.
In the seventh has some tricky form to sift through but Last Margareta won well first up on the poly for Garth Puller and she faces a modest handicap field and with a light weight so can follow up. Golden Angel was a narrow winner on the poly last time out and although she has a fair weight she can follow up in this company. Quandura has run two good races in a tongue-tie and is a winner over course and distance last run in an Open Maiden.
Robbie Hill could have the key to the last in Mountainsofthemoon. The mare has run two smart recent races on the poly and that form has been franked. From a good draw with title-chasing Craig Zackey aboard she looks to be the one to beat. Got The Word has found form of late and the step up in trip should not be an issue. He has a light weight and a good draw and may be a threat. Pongola showed up well on the poly last run and had been fairly consistent prior to that. The switch to the poly may have brought out the best.
