It has been a damp New Year’s weekend but the going on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville today has been posted as good to soft with an average pen reading of 26 which should make for ideal conditions.

Love Bomb has achieved one milestone that few in today’s Progress Plate that heads up the card. Frank Robinson’s filly is a Gr2 winner, having surprised many in the Golden Slipper two years back, a win that earned her a lofty handicap rating. It has been hard going since as she only managed a single success last season. But that could change today.

Robinson appears to have picked the right race for her and she has been showing up nicely in recent feature events.

A trip to the Highveld for the Magnolia Handicap was a disappointment but she followed up with a promising effort behind the useful Zimbaba in the Flamboyant Stakes on Boxing Day.

She takes on males here but is rated lengths better than all of them and she should make a bold bid.

Tarantino arrived backed by some smart Cape Town form and off a recent win at Fairview in a Novice Plate.

Justin Snaith’s gelding made a promising local debut when running on strongly in a useful field won by Hasta Manana. That showing will have gained him many friends and he could well start at the top of the boards.

Two runners to keep an eye on are Papa C and Share Holder.

Papa C is lightly raced and made a promising handicap debut. He is well regarded by the stable and only has 51kg to shoulder.

Share Holder has been a disappointment but is more talented than his form would suggest. He probably needed his last run and should strip fitter.

It’s a tricky New Year card opener for local punters with plenty in with chances. The stable has been a bit quiet but things can change with Cyber Time who has shown some promise in two outings and should be at his peak now. Senor Garcia has shown up well in recent starts over shorter in soft ground. He is likely to get the same surface and from a much better draw should be competitive. Beyondtheboundary made a smart debut from a difficult draw and if he can build on that he will be a big runner. One Shot Wonder and Exceed Expectations are others to watch.

In the second, Nathan Kotzen sends out the lightly raced filly Tempelhof who has her third run after a break. She has improved nicely in blinkers.

Mike Miller saddles Aerial View who has come on nicely with each run and looks primed for this from a good draw. Global Secret and Royal Oasis are others with claims.

 Syx Hotfix skipped a previous engagement and with the stable in good form he can make a good start to the Pick 6. He is lightly raced and looks primed for this. Atlantic City and outsider Mingshi are others to consider.

Alyson Wright can be in the winner’s box again with Top Me Up Holly in a difficult handicap.

Only once out of the money in eleven starts she won well last run and although up in the handicap she gets a 2.5kg claimer up and can go in again. Integrity was close-up behind Top Me Up Holly last start and a repeat should see her in the running while Aquae Sulis and Silver Maria also demand serious consideration.

The sixth is another difficult handicap but Poppy Of Bayeux was an impressive maiden winner and blinkers and the extended trip seemed to bring out the best and she can follow up. Grue Of Ice was not too far back after her debut win and seems to have some scope for improvement. Three Hearts steps up in trip and should enjoy the extra. While Magic Motion has a difficult draw but does show some promise.

Darryl Moore seems to have his stable firing and he sends out Woodstock Festival who has his third run after a break. Stable is in good form and the gelding should feature prominently. Gimme A Rainbow is likely to be in hot demand as he is holding form well and is over his optimum trip. Tough draw last start and has a much better marble here.  Captain Who has a difficult draw but was a close-up second last run and he does have the benefit of a 2.5kg claimer.

Gareth van Zyl is KZN’s ‘hot’ trainer at present and sends out Crazy Blues in the last. She shed her maiden in good fashion and shows promise. Good draw and claiming apprentice up can see her follow up. Queen Niyabah has had two local runs since break and should strip fit and well here. Capetown Beauty has done well over course and distance from a tough draw and has a better here while Princess Donelly has come good for her new stable and should put in another forward showing.

goldcircle.co.za – Andrew Harrison