A rained-out weekend of racing will have punters chomping at the bit for today’s race meeting on the Hollywoodbets Greyville Poly which looks to be a tricky card but there is decent value on offer if you manage to find the right horses in the exotics.
Fists of Fire has a lot in his favour and could be a decent bet on the day at odds of 9-2 in the ante post market. He took a bump out the gates which may have hampered his chances when he jumped tote favourite in his last start. He looks to have the ideal opportunity to win race five with plenty in his favour – a reasonably good draw, Donovan Dillon knows him well and hopefully there are no hard luck stories today.
Beyondtheboundarys has scope to improve stepping up in trip in low division handicap after a decent maiden victory with Warren Kennedy up and looks to be the biggest danger. He travelled well in his most recent run when winning his maiden and quickened up smartly on the inside on Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf. He now races on poly but Kennedy spoke highly of this three-year-old stating that he has some quality about him.
The opening leg of the Bi-Pot is a very tricky qualified maiden plate. Protea Pride looks to have winning credentials on paper but has had many tries which makes it extremely open. Purple Operator has a good draw and a good winning chance on best form but was many lengths back in his last start when finishing fourth but should be considered. Belle’s First Wave is lightly raced and stayed on well for third in his last start where he came from a wide gate and was in front turning for home before being overhauled late but did well to stay on. He now drops to 1400 and may well loop the field once again and attempt to go start to finish and may be each way value. Trident King is improving with every run and ran fourth at long odds in his last. He will be in the shake up if building on that last run and making the necessary improvement.
In race two, Syx Hotfix meets a relatively small field and if taking to the poly should be the one to beat with not much depth of form in this contest. He has been very consistent and has Keagan De Melo aboard who is riding extremely well. The biggest danger is Sir Theodore who is improving and has an eye-catching jockey booking in the form of S’manga Khumalo and will be right there. Duke Of Orange has been hard to assess. He had excuses in his last start and could well pop up anytime as he is lightly raced and comes from an inform yard. The results of race one could be a pointer to how he will perform. Bombay Circus wasn’t beaten far recently and now gets a plum draw and if repeating his last will be right there.
Emerald Isla looks the horse to beat in the third which is the opening leg of the Pick 6. She raced handy outside the leader in her last and did well to stay on for third. It’s a competitive low division handicap and she jump from a reasonable draw and may well dictate. To The Max is another in with a shout. She meets a slightly weaker field now but has to carry the weight but is holding form well. Rainbow Unicorn’s form does not jump out at you but one of these days she will crack it. Three runs back she moved up well and had to switch many times with no luck in running. If she gets a decent position with some luck, she will be flying at them and it will not be a surprise to see her win.
Sean Tarry is in town and steps out Mode in race four with Kennedy up and has good form in this line up. Particularly, her run behind the talented Eternity Ring stands out. Winter Waves is extremely consistent and another decent run can be expected. The Bayou drops in division and with a 4kg claimer up he can feature on best form and should be of some decent value as an each-way bet. What A Blast’s last run can be ignored as that’s clearly not his form. He gets a reasonable draw now and should be factored into the equation. Rocky Coast has a powerful finish and can follow up once again and must be thrown into all bets.
The sixth on the card looks to be a very interesting race when it comes to jockey engagements. Her Royal Majesty is knocking on the door and Ashton Arries has stuck with her. Dunyaa will give plenty of cheek to the favourite Her Royal Majesty and now meets her at level weights. There shouldn’t be much separating these two. Arianos Spinner was narrowly beaten in her last from a wide draw and now jumps from gate four which throws her into this race with a lively chance.
The seventh is another competitive line-up. Highveld raider Kuuma has been running against much stronger and has won on the polytrack before. If bringing his ‘A’ game he prove hard to beat. Running Rifles was fatigued in his last start and that’s clearly not his run. He is much better than that and much better effort can be expected. Don’t Touch Me has been running some cracking races recently and isn’t far of a win. Genie hasn’t had much luck with draws but has a top rider and will be closing in late.
The lucky last looks to be a race where the quartet could pay handsomely as it’s a fairly open betting contest. Patronage has formed a good relationship with Rachel Venniker and she has a good strike rate for trainer Michael Roberts. They have a plum draw so rate the one to beat. Preemptive Strike is another with a lively chance chance and can be rewarded for consistency and has received betting support in his recent runs. White Cedar won extremely well in his last start and could trouble the judge with a top rider aboard. Cupids Song is another who’s never far back and can follow up on his last victory.
goldcircle.co.za – Devonne Govender
