Andrew Harrison
NOW’S the time for punters to keep their eyes open and their notebooks at the ready. With the official start of Champions Season just a month away the better class horses will start to make their appearance as they warm up for the features.
The Hollywoodbets Greyville turf hosts an eight-race meeting with two races worthy of special mention. The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a Conditional Progress Plate where most interest will be centred on Seventh Gear and Wild Coast with Share Holder also in the mix.
Wild Coast surprised last season in the WSB Guineas and was never in the hunt in three subsequent races. Justin Snaith’s colt obviously has some ability but in truth that Guineas form has not worked out and it remains to be seen if Wild Coast can up his game.
He gets a chance here where he is favourably weighted but takes on a hard-knocker in Seventh Gear. Dean Kannemeyer stretched his charge to 2500m last time out but he was never in the race with a chance and is back over what should be a more suitable distance.
Both Seventh Gear and Wild Coast come off lengthy breaks which may see them short of a gallop and this race is probably a warm-up which may leave the door open for Paul Lafferty’s runner Share Holder who is racing fit. He has been a touch disappointing but is consistent and if the top two are caught short, Share Holder can pick up the pieces.
The seventh is a Graduation Handicap that falls into a similar category of horses prepping for the season. Gr2 Golden Slipper winner Love Bomb is the class filly in the line-up but Frank Robinson was quite open, commenting that his charge would need the run. That coupled with a steadier of 62.5kg on her back from a wide draw, she is up against it but class always comes to the fore and victory would not be unexpected.
Glen Kotzen has slipped into town with little fanfare and he saddles Point Of Sale who makes her local debut but comes with some fair form in strong Cape features. She also has loads of class and a big weight but she goes well this trip and should not be in need of the outing. Purple Persuasion also goes well over this trip and with a claiming apprentice up she can be competitive. Princess Anastasia was disappointing last run and is way out at these weights. However, she does appear to be better than her form suggests and she can surprise while Fiftyshadesdarker is another to consider as a likely winner off her light weight.
Kailene could fit as a bi-pot banker in the card opener. She contested a Cape feature last run and her rider lost his crop in the finish. Prior to that had shown ability and the extra will suit. Of the balance, Bay Of Dreams started at long odds when a close-up fifth over the trip. A repeat will see her go close again and she gets first time blinkers.
The second is an open race where Final Destiny found one too good for him over course and distance last time out. He shows some promise and should be competitive here. Cleto was much improved last run starting at long odds and he appears to have come to hand. Montana Sky was desperately unlucky last run but has another difficult draw to contend with. He switches to the turf but is always game.
Rain Wear and Diamonds And Toads could be the principal runners in the fourth. Rain Wear has been narrowly beaten at her last two and is in top form and rates the one to beat. Diamonds And Toads played second fiddle to the well-fancied winner last run and also switches to the turf but is consistent. Laurel Lane was well fancied last run but was ‘ambushed’ as Emerald Palace strode to a 14-length win. That’s unlikely to happen again.
In the fifth, Hello Tomorrow was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. She has been consistent and from a plum draw with a claiming apprentice up she should go close again. Lhasa Star finished ahead of Serena Slam when last they met and has her third run for her new stable. The cheek-pieces go on and she must be in with a big shout although Serena improved nicely second time at the races. She has the worst of the draw but has a top rider aboard and can turn the tables.
In the sixth, Winter Time should strip a lot fitter after showing improved form when sent over ground with cheek-pieces on. That was her first run back from a lengthy break Sacred Ibis has come to hand of late and goes well this trip while Twice As Special didn’t feature on the poly last start but her Highveld turf form was not too bad. She has a chance in this company and comes from a stable that often wins with long-priced runners.
The last is a wide open handicap where the betting could be your best guide. Gold Season has his first run for Dean Kannemeyer. He was taking on strong Highveld fields and his rating has dropped from a high of 93 to 74. With a change of scenery, he can do much better. Canadian Bolt has his third run after a break. He was close-up last start and should be cherry-ripe. Movie Magic showed up well first run back from a break with the blinkers back on while Palace Wind was a touch unlucky in a bunched field last run. He has come good of late and has the best of the draw. The Snow War and Master Of Destiny are others to include in bigger exotic perms in a difficult race.
