Punters are faced with a few posers at Greyville today where the racing is mostly of the bread-and-butter variety and the card headed by a MR 80 Handicap. It’s a 1000m dash on the poly and Garth Puller’s runner Mr Mcsteamy could prove too hot.

The gelding is on the hunt for his second win and has been much improved since being tried in blinkers. He took on a useful field in a Pinnacle Stakes last time out where he was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice who lacked a little ‘oomph’ in the finish.

Prior to that Mr Mcsteamy had finished close-up in two starts over course and distance and with a stronger rider aboard today and only 48,5 kg on his back he should be right there.

Ho’oponopono (Nkosi Hlophe)

Top weight Swakopmund goes well over the distance and even with a big weight should feature with Anton Marcus aboard. Ho’oponopono is seldom far back and is distance suited. However, both these runners finished behind Mr Mcsteamy in the race won by Big King and meet on the same weight terms so turning the tables could be difficult. A bigger threat could be Aramouse, who has only twice finished out of the money in 12 starts. He drops in trip but the blinkers go on which could do the trick.

The Duncan Howells-trained Lunar Rush shed her maiden against winners in the KZN Breeders Million on July Day and has since been lightly raced. She looked just in need of her last outing when touched off by the useful Victory Takeover and poly specialist Marcus is back on board. One hopes that she can come on from that run as she is up against two runners who were at her girth come the line. School Run and Red Moon At Night meet on the same terms as they did behind Victory Takeover where there was a neck separating all three of the placed runners. The latter could turn the tables but there is unlikely to be much between the three again. We’re Are watching You was given a hefty rating after running out an easy maiden winner at her second attempt. She looks above average but has her work cut out.

It has been many moons since we had a 3000m marathon and Olympic Power goes this far for the first time. He was behind both Newtons Spark and Born To Rule when last they met but that was a false-run race. He has since won on the poly and could prove a cut above the opposition given a decent gallop.

Born To Rule stays well over shorter but this trip should hold no fears. With a four-claimer up he has a bright chance. When Tony Nassif arrives in town it often pays to take note and he saddles Taegan’s Jet. The gelding comes with some useful Highveld form over ground and with a light weight is one to include in all bets. Musuchelalomissus is another that has not been over the trip but goes well enough over 2400m and is showing signs of coming to hand. Newtons Spark makes his poly debut. He is always dangerous if allowed to get away but his best form has been at Scottsville.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Variety Romp has been persevered with by Charles Laird in spite of his problems and won well enough last start to suggest that he can go in again off a two-point higher rating. Ice Ridge shed his maiden first up on the poly track. He had consistent Cape form before that and is still improving for Alyson Wright. Assistant Amy McMullen will saddle San Julian Bay for Weiho Marwing and the gelding was less than a length behind Variety Romp when last they met and is 1kg better off. However, he does have a difficult draw. Roy’s Dollar takes on males but goes well over the course and distance and the form of her last run has worked out well so needs to be considered.

By Andrew Harrison