The Place Accumulator, Pick 6 and Jackpot will be popular exotic bets at the Mercury Sprint racemeeting at Greyville on Saturday, which is the first big SA Champions Season event since the Vodacom Durban July, and those who do their homework on a competitive card should reap healthy dividends.

Bull Valley (Nkosi Hlophe)

The first leg of the PA is a tricky fillies and mares handicap over 1600m on the turf. Premier Dance is a typically progressive daughter of Silvano and the form of her last run over this trip has worked out very well. This half-sister to the brilliant miler Capetown Noir could make it four wins from just six starts, although she does have to carry joint topweight of 61,5kg off her 93 merit rating and this is also her second run after a six month layoff. Captain Gambler stayed on quite well from last in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas and has the Anton Marcus factor with her. She also comes out well on formlines with Well In Flight and Tanami on a line through Louisiana. Persian Rug won a Listed handicap over 1600m on the tight Turffontein Inside track in May last year off a merit rating of 93 and now runs off a 91. She has shown a liking for Greyville and in her only recent start there over shorter than 1950m she over raced with blinkers. The blinkers are now off and she is drawn in pole which will give her a good chance to get into her preferred handy position. She stands a chance of giving Nathan Kotzen his first win as a licensed trainer, so should be included in the Pick 6. Well In Flight is drawn well and can do better than last time when a bit short of room in the straight in a race run at a crawl over this course and distance on the poly. Being two points lower in the merit ratings will also help this nice type. Tanami won well the last time she tried this distance on the poly and there is little between her and Well In Flight on formlines.

The second leg is also a tricky fillies and mares sprint handicap over 1200m. If Only has been transformed with blinkers and from a plum draw over an ideal course and distance looks capable of making it a hattrick. Victory Takeover can never be ignored over her favourite course and distance. Timeous is a nice type and is still off an attractive merit rating after being given just a two point raise for her last win, so can go close from a reasonable draw over a suitable course and distance. Wandie’s reeled off a hattrick at this time last year and has enough pace to make a successful step down in trip off a competitive merit rating. The pacey Gunship ran on well to win over 1000m on the poly in January, but hasn’t run since. From a good draw she has to be included running for a yard who always have them fit. Accidental Tourist can be in the picture if starting on terms.

Anton Marcus

In the third leg of the PA and first leg of the Jackpot, a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m, the one who makes the most appeal is Y’retheone. This Rebel King gelding has a nice long-striding action and some ability. He has run well fresh before, so warrants banker consideration on a tough card like this. He does have a tendency to over race, so will need a good pace and some cover and there is hope of getting both with the pacey Hold The Line drawn out wide. The latter could hold on for a place and the talented and versatile Black Jaguar could be one to include from pole position returning from a rest, as he has dropped to an attractive merit rating and S’Manga Khumalo is an eye catching booking. Almost Human might get the run of the race from a plum draw and Yorkshire Dales and Zinzara can’t be ignored.

The sixth race is a MR 86 handicap over 1000m and the topweight Rockey Valley makes appeal despite being six points higher than his last win. The latter victory was over 1200, but he was quite keen there and gave the impression he would enjoy 1000m. Furthermore, he is drawn in pole position. However, Lil Red Rooster and Varbration are in good form and are course and distance suited too, so are hard to ignore.

The seventh is the Listed Off To Stud over 1600m and Wukkin’ Up is drawn in pole and is having her third run after a layoff over an ideal trip. She looks likely to enjoy the poly and Anton Marcus is aboard. However, it is also a tricky event and her three stablemates Strategic News, Heaps Of Fun and In Other Words can’t be ignored and neither can the classy Frosty Friday, who should be cherry ripe over an ideal trip.

The next race is the Mercury Sprint and Bull Valley is selected to be a PA banker from a plum draw. Trip To Heaven has to included in the Pick 6 and Jackpot, because if he does not start too slowly his exceptional turn of foot can carry him to victory. Sergeant Hardy also makes appeal from a good draw as one with good pace and the ability to stay on. New Predator, Talktothestars and Kangaroo Jack are the others who look capable of winning.

The last is a MR 62 handicap on the poly. Kali’s Champ is an improving sort and can go close if reproducing his decent effort last time out in the KZN Breeders 1600. However, he has a wide draw and the consistent poly horse Russian Speed has to be included from a good draw off a competitive merit rating. Saber’s Beads, Hannah’s Answer and Roy’s Sailor also have to be considered.

By David Thiselton