Spyda to trap them in his web

PUBLISHED: 14 March 2021

Trainer Duncan Howells runs SPYDAS CORNER in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. Muzi Yeni will be in the irons. Picture: Candiese Lenferna

Andrew Harrison

PICK 6 punters will have to play big or take chances at Hollywoodbets Greyville today. This is not an easy card starting in the opening leg.

Hello Tomorrow can get them off to a winning start. She has had her chances but in this company she looks more than capable. Her last run is best ignored and her best recent effort has been around a turn. What A Splash has done all of her racing down the Scottsville straight and does not have the best of draws although it is a small field. But the opposition is no great shakes and she can go one better.

The fifth is difficult and could be a case of go big or take your chances. Bayview Express has been up against much stronger at recent outings and drops to a lowly handicap. That and Anton Marcus may be enough to see Yogas Govender’s charge home. Lowan Denysschen sends out High Green who has drawn wide but loves this course and distance. You can ignore his last start when squeezed out badly when looking to make his run. Mighty Smart has a lot in his favour as he stays the trip, has a useful claiming apprentice up and a light weight from a good draw. That said, he’s battling for his second win. Origami showed up well first run out of the maidens. He has made steady improved and appears to be maturing.

The sixth is another difficult handicap. Al’s My Daddy was never in the hunt in his local debut on the poly but his Cape Town form on the turf is better. With only 53kg to shoulder he could be the right one. Gentleman’s Wager smoked home from a wide draw on the poly last outing but he got a six-point raise in the handicap which is concerning. Also his best form seems to be on the poly. Spring Fling has jumped from a 72 to an 84 MR in just two starts but he rocketed home at his last start and may only now as a 5yo be finding his best. Peaceful Day returns from a lengthy break but has shown up well against stronger in the past and any market support must be respected.

Spydas Corner is still on the up and although he takes on a strong field he could be your exotic bet banker. Narrowly beaten last start, he may just have been short of a run. He has a light weight and the blinkers are exchanged for cheek pieces. This race should tell how good he is. Good Rythm is in cracking form and should be in the money even though he takes on a smart field. Pearl Of Asia has always been smart and proved it last run with a comfortable win. He took the maximum six-point hit in the handicap, the one concern is that his best recent form has been down the straight. Sunset Eyes is a top sprinter but has not been out since November last year. Anywhere close to his best he should be hard to beat.

It may prove prudent to load up in the eighth. Gardenia won at long odds on debut and made no show first up out of the maidens. She has been rested but definitely has ability. She’s A Keeper has only had two starts. She made a useful handicap debut and looks progressive but she takes on a host of younger fillies with potential. Calulo gets a stronger rider aboard while Purple Moon Rising looks to have some scope. Boogie Shoes, Magnetic Dime, and Simply Russian are all worth scrutiny.

If you are through to the last leg of the Pick 6 you will probably be looking at a substantial payout.

Ruby Sky has made steady improvement and is lightly raced and she appears to be coming to hand. Another Love has only missed a cheque once in six starts but has been up-and-down the distance charts which is a worry but the blinkers may have solved her problem. Just The Wind has not been too far back on the poly and the switch to turf may help. The name Meghan is topical at the moment and might be a sentimental inclusion. The filly has put in two decent sprints of late and although the draw is a concern, she does look capable.

In the first, Poppy Of Bayeaux can boost resources. She was well backed on debut but was green and should come on lengths from that effort.

Anton Marcus has stuck with Good Traveller in the second in spite of the widest draw. He was a more than comfortable winner on debut although second-placed Silvery Blue has since finished down the field. Waterberry Lane made major improvement at his second start and came from a long way back to win. He has had the benefit of a trip around a turn.

Promise To Dream can get the PA off to a solid start. He has taken on winners in two of his three starts and the smart-looking War Room has been too good for him. He was close-up in his other start and looks more than capable in this field.