Ladybug runs in the 5th and will be out to make it three wins from her last three poly starts. (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
1 12:25 AM – Greyville Convention Centre Fm 66 Handicap (F & M)
All of the races are on the polytrack. MERITORIOUS won well on the poly over 1400m and can only improve. She has drawn widest though. SASCHA’S DREAM won over further on the poly in her second start and should keep on improving. PINK DIAMOND has drawn better than her younger counterparts and after she ran well on her poly debut could be a strong contender. THESUPERNOVASTAR carries a light weight again and jumps from gate one so could have a say.
2 1:00 PM – tabGOLD New Soccer Corners Mr 78 Handicap
QUERARI’S DREAM was well supported and won with a bit of authority when back over his best distance, albeit on the poly. He can follow up if overcoming his wide gate. RODRIGUEZ can do it on poly and turf and is as consistent as they come. He should be right there. PALERMO is looking to go one better after getting caught on the line on the poly. He is dropping in class from that run. Watch out for SEND ME who wasn’t far off high class Madison Valley in his penultimate. He went a bit far last time and must be respected after a rest.
3 1:35 PM – Galllop TV YouTube Channel Mr 78 Handicap
KALAHARI ROLLER battled to get into it last time. He is back on the surface he opened his account on and could show much more this time. RHYTHM has been staying on well over 1000m and could relish the step up to 1200m. However he will need to get the timing right. BARRY DU GROND won his maiden better than the margin suggests and has scope for good improvement. PREEMPTIVE STRIKE has been racing on the poly of late and is probably best on that surface but he has won on grass and is not one to take lightly. BOOM SHAKALAKA has shown talent and could bounce back to form.
4 2:12 PM – www.tabgold.co.za Maiden Plate
Racing switches to the poly. MIND MAP ran a fair race on local debut. He was returning from a rest and gelding and ran well to finish second on the poly first time. Stripping fitter he should have every chance especially over 1200m. RIVER DANCE finished just behind him on his poly debut and he too should prefer the extra. MC DAZZLER has run four seconds on the poly and is overdue to win. He had good draws in his last two. The drop in distance could work in his favour. Stablemate PAVED WITH GOLD is a well-bred first-timer that needs to be watched.
5 2:48 PM – www.galloptv.co.za Fm 78 Handicap (F & M)
LADYBUG is two from her last two over the course and distance. She didn’t beat a strong field again but the manner in which she won was impressive and she could take this rise in class in her stride. SIBERIAN WINTER ran an encouraging race after a rest last time. She may have matured and could make a fair poly debut from a decent gate. PRINCESS HANNAH won a nice race in her penultimate start and had excuses last time. She could make full use of gate one. SKYTRIX and LIZWILE ILALI have the potential to earn if the race is run to suit.
6 3:23 PM – tabGOLD Score 6 Score 8 Score 10 Maiden Plate
ROLLO THE VIKING and HOODWINKED have run some fair races and both could be suited to the polytrack judged on style. The former is a bit better than his last run when taking no interest even though finishing second over a marathon distance. RAINWATER has run some decent races on the poly and having drawn well should have every chance. PRICELESS PEARL didn’t show after running a decent race in his penultimate start. IRON MONGER gave weight and was beaten in a close finish behind improving Captain Oliver last time. He should be right there.
7 3:58 PM – Follow In The Box Seat Podcast Maiden Plate
GO GRAYSON GO ran on well to finish second to subsequent feature winner Artist’s Model. That could be the form line to be with. He has, however, drawn wide on poly debut and will have his work cut out. BOUND BY DESTINY caught the eye on debut but that was six months ago. He may have had his problems but is definitely the one to watch. PLEASEDTOSEEYOU showed up well on his local debut and should make further improvement. FIRELIGHTER finally jumps from a decent draw. He ran a fair race last time out and should be in the money again.
8 4:33 PM – Hollywoodbets Bright Future Mr 73 Handicap
Competitive handicap to end. TEATIME TIPPLE has decent form and could finally add another win to his tally. BENNI IN THE AREA is in top form and jumps from the best of the draws so could be hard to peg back. IRISH LUCK is holding form and would be deserving but he has drawn a bit wide and will need to get the timing right. RAFIKI won two in a row before a rest and if anywhere near that form could be dangerous. SWEEPER KEEPER has his beating at the weights. He ran a fair race over 1600m but should prefer the drop to 1400m.
