Andrew Harrison

IT could be a case of horses-for-courses in the OPEN A tabGOLD Account Handicap that heads up this afternoon’s poly card at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

Duncan Howells has always rated Coldhardcash as top class but his career has been limited by breathing problems. That has not stopped him from racking up six victories and the gelding has always been game in spite of his impediment. He is back over his favourite course and distance.

Coldhardcash was never in the hunt under 62kg on the Hollywoodbets Scottsville grass last time out, possibly the toughest 1000m in the country, and prior to that the extra furlong on the poly found him out the last bit.

He has a plum draw here and although this is a handicap there is little separating the first six in the weights with only Herecomestherain recieving any significant benefit from a light weight.

Di Mazzio is another old soldier and he too is back on his preferred surface. He has been dropping in the handicap and with accomplished apprentice Kyle Strydom claiming he must have a decent chance.

Kayson is ante-post favourite at around 17-10 and deserves his place at the top of the boards. He has been rested but is smart and could well prove too good quick for his older rivals.

The card opener is a tricky juvenile affair with young horses making big improvement as they gain in experience and maturity. Danse Milord has the widest draw but is quick and looks the part on current form. Route Sixty Six is the current ante-post favourite and although a distant fourth on debut she was short in the market. Judged on the betting she is expected to have come on from that. Bingin Beach made a promising debut and on to watch on the betting.  While Miss Quince is the shortest priced of the debutants.

In the third, East Coast Star has been costly to follow but she may be worth another chance given that she’s back on the poly where she has run her two best races. Peter Muscutt has also declared cheek pieces and a tongue-tie in what could be the last throw of the dice. Umkhomazi just needed her last run and should come on lengths from that effort while My Big Vision showed some improvement with blinkers last time out and can feature again.

The fourth looks fairly open as do the balance of the races on the card. Broadway made a promising debut from a wide draw and the extra should suit. He is a smashing looker and can make the required improvement to win here. Decorated has had two starts over shorter and should much prefer this trip. Command Control comes from an in-form stable. He is lightly raced and can still improve.

The fifth is a difficult affair where Theravada and Bernie’s Dream are vying for favouritism.

Theravada goes well on the poly and is overdue a win while Bernie’s Dream has been showing steady improvement in blinkers and should be right there again.  Knights Warrior is the rank outsider in the field but he has been up against stronger at recent outings and 20-1 about his chances may be worth a small each-way wager.

Winter Waves and Fly The Coup are lightly raced and look to have some scope. Winter Waves has made steady progress to shed his maiden and that form has since been franked. Fly The Coup won well enough on debut to suggest that he can take this small step up in class. Majorca Palace and Gentleman’s Way may be worth including in larger exotic perms.

Vivid Jet takes to the poly for the first time and has drawn wide but she came from well off the pace to win first time out after a break. Mark Dixon’s filly looks to be more than useful.

The two older fillies Wizz Of Odds and Georgina Rose are never too far back but a bigger threat could be Stella Act. She was never headed when winning over the Scottsville 1200m last time out and that bodes well for a similar effort this afternoon.

The last could develop into a two-way contest between Preferential and Diamonds And Pearls. They renew rivalry with the latter 2 kg better off at the weights but does have the worst of the draw to contend with. These two look the pick but the betting suggests a difficult fillies handicap. Marsanne steps up in trip and has a smart turn of foot. If the pace suits she will be dangerous while Silva Magic, Vihaan’s Pie and weak ante-post favourite Invisible are all in the shake-up.