TO say that today’s Hollywoodbets Greyville poly meeting lacks a little quality is an understatement but without those horses in the lower echelons being given a chance, horse racing would be much the poorer. And for owners with those horses in training, they all need a bite of the cherry.
That said, in an effort to cut down costs on a card that has many races to keep punters guessing, Secret Is Ours in the fourth and Broadway a race later could provide anchors.
The cleverly named Broadway has a blue-blood pedigree and made a promising debut when racing green at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. There should be plenty of improvement to come from Lezeanne Forbes’s colt when he lines up in the fifth and he is up against a host of struggling maidens.
With expected improvement he could prove difficult to beat.
It must have been a difficult decision to geld Secret Is Ours given his pedigree but evidence is that it was the correct move. Secret Is Ours has had two outings since and is finally adding some lustre to that pedigree and was a close-up second last run. He meets very little of note in the fourth and could possibly be another banker on the day with only Montana Sky overdue a change of fortune. Tienie Prinsloo’s runner gets his chance here. It may prove prudent to keep an eye on the betting.
In the first, Crimson Causeway was only run out of it late when making her debut and should tighten up considerably from that outing. Danse Milord has been a little costly to follow but did have a wide draw in her poly debut. Red Juniper is also likely to come on lengths from her debut and with Anton Marcus aboard Federica any market support is likely to prove significant.
The second is just a case of ‘what will get me through the PA’ in a seriously open race. Beat It is an older mare taking on males but she has been dropping in the ratings and did well from a difficult draw last run. Florence has been coming on nicely and was a close-up second last start and could prove the best of the Clinton Binda stable trio. Hampton Court, Life Goes On and Stanton Street are others to consider.
In the third, Perfect Display is lightly raced but her best effort has been on this surface. The tongue-tie stays on and she may be the one to beat although Airbuzz and Princess Sabrina should be included as insurance.
Another weak field faces punters in the sixth. Proud Warrior was well beaten by Fever when last they met but he takes a four-point drop in the ratings which can make him competitive again. Smart Sox enjoyed it back on the poly last run and a repeat can see him back in the money while Fever has made steady improvement in blinkers. He takes a small rise in the handicap but can go in again.
The seventh is not easy either. Sea Sponge is an old hand but never far back. This may just be his best chance of a third win. Philispiel was a recent maiden winner but has come to hand of late and looks progressive while Straight Up is always thereabouts and comes from an in-form stable.
In the last, Enrapture has the best of the draw after two wide marbles. She found some inspired betting support last run and should go close. The tough mare Colour Of Light is due a change of fortune and was a touch unlucky last run and should be right there again. Hereinafter was much improved in blinkers last outing and Marcus retains the ride while Not Now Pussycat has not been too far back and has a better draw.
