Holding Thumbs will enjoy the step up in trip and has been tipped to win the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Picture: Wayne Marks).
Hollywoodbets Greyville Saturday Formguides And Selections
R1 Summary: Many first timers. Of those that have run, DARK MATTER (4) has gone close at both starts and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. Drawn well and should go close. WINTER BLESSING (6) has come on nicely at recent outings and should be competitive. CASSANDRA (7) got a cautious thumbs-up from her in form stable and is one to watch in the betting. MS SAKURA (2) has a blue-blood pedigree but may need further. (Andrew Harrison: 4-6-7-2).
R2 Summary: Mostly first timers. Of those that have run, HAWKSDALE (9) found some market support on debut and finished close-up. She takes on males but looks forward enough to take this race. VANAKKAM (8) was a modest second at her second start but has been entered for the Gr1 Allan Robertson Fillies Championship. GOLDEN OPERATOR (1) has the best of the draw and comes from a strong stable. ZIYAN’S PRIDE (13) has the widest draw but does have some experience. (Andrew Harrison: 9-8-1-13).
R3 Summary: RUN FOREST RUN (2) made good improvement at his second start, running on strongly. The extra furlong will suit and from a good draw he should put in another strong showing. Visiting XENOPHON (6) found market support on debut and showed up well. That experience will count in his favour and he will be a big runner. BRUH (4) was a distant fourth on debut but should come on from that effort and should enjoy the extra. GOOD OMEN (9) raced green on debut and should come on from that effort. (Andrew Harrison: 2-6-4-9).
R4 Summary: Open. DESTINY OF FIRE (6) takes on males but has good form in useful female company of late. She goes well this trip and should be in the shake-up. WORLD OF OUR OWN (2) is back over a more suitable trip and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he should be a big runner. ARVERNI KING (3) was a smart second behind the promising Regulation last time out. Richard Fourie replaces the apprentice rider. Stable companion JOHNNY THE THIEF (14) has the worst of the draw but has been in good form of late and can feature. (Andrew Harrison: 6-2-3-14).
R5 Summary: HOLDING THUMBS (7) was making steady progress up the handicap before putting in a below par effort in the Gr3 WSB 1900. However, he did not get the best of passages and this step up in trip will be more to his liking. MARAUDING HORDE (8) Has consistent Highveld form over the trip and is a borderline case for a place in the Hollywoodbets Durban July. A win here will help his cause. SHOOT THE RAPIDS (2) was making late progress in the 1900 and will much prefer this trip. He has a big weight but looks capable. FUTURE SWING (4) was probably in need of his last effort. He shoulders top weight but is not out of it. (Andrew Harrison: 7-8-2-4).
R6 Summary: GIVE ME EVERYTHING (9) caught the eye when closing fast from a wide draw and the back of the field when a two-length 4th in the Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas. It snapped a four-race winning streak but the extra could see her back on track. BEATING WINGS (6) carries top weight but has been in good form on the Highveld and finished third in this race last year. REGENERATION (8) is lightly raced and was a close-up fifth in the recent Gr2 WSB Fillies Guineas. The step up in trip should suit and she has a handy galloping weight. MOCHA BLEND (7) was possibly just in need of her last start when beaten by MASCHERINA (10). She found good market support that day and is better off at the weights. (Andrew Harrison: 9-6-8-7)
R7 Summary: EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (7) is sure to start deep in the red given his record winning the Gr1 WSB Cape Met and the Gr1 Splashout Cape Derby and his fast-finishing effort in the recent Gr2 WSB Guineas. He is ideally suited to this trip and is the horse to beat. Mike and Mathew de Kock have avoided the Gr2 Tote Woolavington 2000 looking for a Gr1 win with the filly SPUMANTE DOLCE (4). She has shown her best form at recent outings and this trip will suit. OKAVANGO (1) was running on late in the Gr3 WSB 1900. He looks to be up against it in this company but is still improving. CONFEDERATE (3) has not finished further back than second in his eight starts. He won his last two including the Gr1 SA Classic and if not short of a run after a three month break he should be right there. (Andrew Harrison: 7-4-1-3).
R8 Summary: South vs North. SOHOT SOWHAT (10) was narrowly beaten by the useful Bevies Delight on this course last time out. Title-chasing Gavin Lerena has jumped ship to ride BOSUM BUDDY (1) but weight could have been the decider. Bosum Buddy has the best of the draw backed up by some solid Highveld form. MALCOLM’S DREAM (2) is always dangerous and has dropped in the handicap. WINGS WHITHIN ME (4) has not been far back at recent starts and should be competitive off this rating. (Andrew Harrison: 10-1-2-4).
R9 Summary: DAPPER (5) is a recent addition to the Duncan Howells yard. He was a well beaten third over a mile last run but does appear to be more at home over this shorter trip. PHUTULICIOUS (7) returns from a disappointing Cape trip and has a change of stable. His best recent form has been at Hollywoodbets Greyville and that past form with a drop in trip could see him make big improvement. HONOR OF KINGS (8) is better than his last effort and shows some promise. REAL WAR (9) backed up on his maiden win with another narrow victory. He has been around the turn and can feature again. (Andrew Harrison: 5-7-9-8).
R10 Summary: VIRGIN RIVER (2) has only once been out of the money in 13 starts but has been restricted to 1000m. Hollywoodbets Greyville favours quick horses and she could handle the extra furlong. GOLDEN MOMENT (7) has consistent Highveld form and stays the trip. She should put in a good showing. GETOFFOFMYCLOUD (11) was a little disappointing on the poly last run and can do better on the grass. THERE SHE GOES (8) has her 55th start but has been in good form of late and with a 4kg apprentice up she only has 50kg on her back. (Andrew Harrison: 2-7-11-8).
