Andrew Harrison

PUNTERS looking to cut down on expenses at Hollywoodbets Greyville today could have a couple of decent opportunities to ease the pressure on their wallets.

Jacob’s Ladder in the third can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start and Myhopesandreams in the seventh may face a more difficult task but should make a fist of it.

Louis Goosen’s runner Jacob’s Ladder steps up in trip but has shown up well in two starts over a mile and he has been ten furlongs before. His pedigree suggests that he should stay the 2400m trip comfortably and rates the one to beat.

The opposition is a little thin but A Thousand Tunes and Do Re Mi, who made sudden improvement last time out, look possible threats.

Justin Snaith will be warming some runners up for the Highveld season that bleeds into South Africa’s Champion Season that officially starts on May 1.

Crown Towers will be warming up for a possible crack at the Champions Cup at the end of April and stable rider Richard Fourie has made the trip up from the Cape to give him a feeler in the fifth where he races over a trip that could be a touch short of his best. However, he is a strong front-runner and one hopes that the opposition will not be caught napping.

In the seventh, Myhopesandreams arrives with smart Cape form and goes well this trip and should make a bold bid. Shane Humby has his runners in a good space at present and Letaba tries a little further. He has smart form over shorter but goes very well over this trip and rates a strong chance. African Sunrise has been costly to follow but has been knocking at the door for some time now and is due a change of fortune. He had a tough draw last time out. Of the others, Banzai Pipeline takes a big drop in trip but shed his maiden over this distance and can be more effective here.

In the card opener, Austen has made steady improvement and was close-up second last time out. She has been around the turn and looks to be the one to beat. Moobheera comes out of a Sean Tarry dispersal and has her first run for Paul and Beth Gadsby. She found market support on debut at The Vaal and with Richard Fourie in town she is one to watch.

Soller has shown up nicely in two starts over further. She can do better over this shorter trip while Capriana has drawn wide but has shown some promise and can finish in the money.

In the second, Humby’s filly Star Act won well second time out and looks capable of further improvement but she does take on some seasoned opposition that includes Arianos Spinner who has shown consistent form on the poly but is distance suited and has a good draw. Matadoras Parade has been dropping in the ratings and can feature prominently.

The fifth is a tricky handicap. Mystic Master was a beaten favourite at his last two but was not far back. He has drawn well and should make a bold bid. Predator has drawn in Marriott Road and has it all to do from that draw but he has been in good form on the poly and must have a strong chance. Casimero has put in two sharp sprints and steps up in trip but his pedigree suggests that he should see this out comfortably. Protea Pride gets the services of Fourie and made good improvement at long odds last start for Corrine Bestel. From the best of the draw he can make further improvement.

The fifth is another competitive handicap but Priceless Ruler is well in here and although he has the widest draw, there are only seven runners. This is his optimum trip. Trip To Africa’s last two wins have come on the poly but he goes well over this distance and is nicely weighted. The cheek pieces have been exchanged for blinkers. Sniper Shot is struggling for his next win but has not been far back of late and will have a change of luck sooner rather than later. Include in everything.  Crown Towers may well be looking to warm up for bigger fish but his class can see them into the money. Not one to be ignored.

The sixth is wide open and it may prove prudent to include as many as possible in exotic perms. Aquae Solis took the step up in class in her stride last run and only got a two-point rise in the handicap. She goes this trip for the first time but the extra should suit. Fire Power is way better than her last start and she stays this trip well. Mike de Kock has not raided KZN for some time so she should be worth watching in the betting.

The last is a difficult maiden with many runners in form. Camora has only missed a place once in five starts and given his pedigree this should be right up his alley. Drogarati should also enjoy the extra, his last two being sprints. This is his third run after a break. My Lord And Master showed up well in a warm-up sprint after retuning from a break while Final Destiny shows some promise and should also benefit from a step up in trip.