Andrew Harrison

Maidens and lower class handicaps that generally make up Monday fields on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly are mostly difficult races to have a plunge and that’s is the case today.

The highest rated race on the card is the seventh, a MR 79 handicap over 1400m and is a case in point. The majority of runners are in with winning chances but the three that sand out are Naval Secret, Shampompo Shampezi and Flying Peter.

Naval Secret made a cracking debut for his new stable and although his best previous form was over 1200m, he should have little trouble seeing out this trip from his pole position draw. The Duncan Howells stable is also in form at present as is rider, Muzi Yeni.

Alyson Wright saddled Shampompo Shampezi in feature company last time out and was not far off the winner. He is down in class here and the longer trip should also suit. Dean Kannemeyer sends out Flying Peter who is never far off the pace and is over his best course and distance so is also in with a shout as is Galway who loves the poly and although he has good form over further he may just have needed his last run and has a 4kg claimer up.

Sea Of Tranquillity found good betting support last run but faded late after pulling hard early. The blinkers stay on for the opening leg of the PA and he has a more experienced rider aboard. Angelic Fort has come on with each outing and looks primed for this while Varvacious has her first run for a new stable. She dumped her jockey last run but had shown promise before that.

Royal Virtue and Diedi look the main protagonists in the first leg of the Pick 6. Royal Virtue made a promising debut first up for his new stable and should come on from that. Diedi has shown some recent improvement with the blinkers removed. He was head-strong last run over further and can do better over this shorter trip. Atlantic City is a well-bred first timer from a strong stable and one to watch in the betting.

The fourth is wide open. Backstop is not the easiest at the gate and her last run is best ignored but first-time blinkers could bring out the best in her. Princess Sabrina has her first outing for a new stable and she has taken to the poly which is probably the reasoning behind the change. Kinskey’s Tune and Austen are others to consider.

Panna Cotta, Slievanorra and Flying First Class look the pick of the fifth. Panna Cotta found good market support last run but was left with a lot to do. The cheek pieces go on and she may be worth another chance. Slievanorra has been knocking on the door for some time now. She has been dropping in the handicap and was close-up last run, that form having been franked. Flying First Class has shown consistent form for her new stable and the stable is in good form. She has a 4kg claimer up and can do better here.

The sixth is another tricky handicap. Quest For The Best shed his maiden in good fashion and the form of that race has panned out well. He meets modest company here and looks to have some scope. Montana Sky seldom gives less than his best and with a 4kg claimer up he should be thereabouts again along with Brandenburg who has drawn wide but is a strong front runner and can go close over this shorter trip. High Purpose has been close-up at his last two and there should be little between him and Montana Sky.

In the last, Yogas Govender saddles Red Eight who has pulled a wide draw but showed up well first time out for his new stable and can go one better. Stanton Street never runs a bad race and finished just ahead of Red Eight last start. He has a better draw here but Red Eight may have improvement to come. We All Chomies has been showing signs of coming to hand for his new stable and Hewitson rides.