The Mike Miller-trained Million Voices has been tipped to win the fifth race (Candiese Lenferna Photograhy)
Andrew Harrison
Punters face a highly competitive card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Greyville this evening and punters will need to study carefully. The flip side is, if you get it right there is money to be made as juicy dividends are likely.
One of the better bets could come in the card opener where Mark Dixon saddles Master Du Rouvray. The gelding made a cracking reappearance after a lengthy break when touched off by the strong favourite Mohave Prince over course and distance last time out with the balance of the field a long way back. He has drawn a little wide but rates the horse to beat. However, there are a number of unraced horses in the line-up so keep an eye on the market. Of the others Next Of King has found some market support in his last two starts. He was well beaten over this distance last run but that was in the soft. Bourbon’s Beast has improved with each outing and the extra furlong should suit.
Curious Girl and Terminal Velocity could fight out the opening leg of the Bi-Pot. Curious Girl started at relatively long odds on debut given the strength of the stable and she finished a close-up third in spite of racing green. She is sure to have come on from that run. Terminal Velocity was strongly supported in the market at her last outing but finished a disappointing fourth. She does seem better than that.
Visiting Tony Peter has two runners on the night, both in with strong chances. First up is Art Nouveau who has hardly put a foot wrong at recent outings. She stays the trip well and should go close in a competitive handicap. Grand Occasion has been consistent. Her last two have been on the poly but she is in a new stable and the change of routine could bring out the best. Princess Palace is seldom out of the money and although a length behind Faizah last time out, she is 3 kg better off at the weights. Hot Strike was much improved in blinkers last run and could surprise.
The Pick 6 is likely to pay a handsome dividend given the competitive nature of all six legs.
The first leg is a very competitive handicap but Pongola, a son of staying influence Ideal World, is seldom far off the pace. He has a fair weight but steps up in trip which could suit. Global Movement was well beaten by Connoisseur last time out when starting favourite but is now 3 kg better off and can turn the tables. Connoisseur found his best form last run but got a six-point raise for that win which could find him out this time around. Pink Diamond showed up well last run over a mile. She could prefer this longer trip and could be competitive.
In the second leg, Million Voices was narrowly beaten over course and distance from a wide draw last time out and gets 2.5kg relief from the saddle which could be enough to see her home. However, Peter has a strong representative in Faithful Neo who comes with some solid Highveld form over the trip. She should be a big factor. Siesta Sunset finished just ahead of stable companion Million Voices in their last meeting but is 4.5kg worse off in the handicap but Vision To Achieve is a distance specialist with the best of the draw. She must have a strong chance again.
Mike Miller holds a strong hand with four runners. Best could be Infinity Edge who won well on debut and followed up with a smart effort in a feature. She has drawn wide but looks to have plenty of scope for improvement. Paul Lafferty’s filly has been touched off at her last two. She has a useful 4kg claimer up again and could finally go one better. Miller also saddles Magical View who has drawn wide but has dropped two points in the handicap and together with a 2.5kg claimer up she will be dangerous. Stable companion Warrior Royale is over her optimum trip and was a beaten favourite last time out.
It doesn’t get any easier in the last three on the card. In the seventh, The Mask ran three times last month and was close-up at his last two. He should be a big runner. Gorgeous Dude has the best of the draw a handy weight and his last win was over course and distance. Firelighter has been showing signs of returning to form. He is down in class and should run a decent race. Sail To The Moon tried further last run and was not far back. The blinkers are back on over what could be his preferred trip.
The eight is another competitive handicap. Lions Eye was a beaten favourite last run but has been close-up at recent outings and the step up in trip could suit. Professor Lupin showed signs of coming to hand again. He has a stronger rider aboard and can feature in a tough race. Attaboy has been consistent of late and is over his optimum trip. His claiming apprentice could make all the difference. In The Bag is another stepping up in trip. He has shown steady form since arriving from the Cape and the extra could bring out the best.
In the last, Super Fast is long overdue a fourth win after finishing runner-up at his last four. He goes well this trip has the best of the draw and a claiming apprentice up. He is the obvious choice. Dapper has drawn wide but is showing signs of coming to hand for his new stable. Voldemort is over his best trip with a 4kg claimer aboard. He is slightly better drawn than his previous start. Kimball O’Hara is seldom far back and has a handy galloping weight.
