A virus is unlikely the cause of Playboy Buddy’s modest effort in the Flamboyant Stakes on New Year’s Day, but rather some strong opposition over a distance short of her best. The race won by visiting Fort Ember contained some smart fillies in the line-up including Lala and Impala Lily who finished first and runner-up respectively at Scottsville on Sunday.

The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Playboy Buddy takes a substantial drop in class at Greyville this afternoon and although she takes a corresponding rise in the weights she looks good enough to land the Interbet FM 82 Handicap over 1900m.

Playboy Buddy’s form before the Flamboyant was impeccable having finished second to the more than useful Lala and going one better to beat Princess Varunya. All of her best recent form has been on the poly track and back on her favoured surface from an inside gate makes her the one to beat.

Johan Janse van Vuuren acquired a taste for KZN racing with a string based at Ashburton for Champions Season and has raided successfully since. He saddles Readyforyourlove who makes her poly debut and who looks to be the main threat to Playboy Buddy’s chances.

The imported daughter of Kentucky Derby winner Big Brown has something of a dirt pedigree and the switch to the poly track could bring out the best in her. She has not been finishing off her races, leading for much of the way before being caught over the final furlong. With only 53,5kg to shoulder, in receipt of 8kg from Playboy Buddy, she could make all the running.

The light weight, Iced Up and Waity Katie look pick of the balance but Playboy Buddy may just have enough in hand to chase down Readyforyourlove but it is likely to be a close-run thing.

Wild Wicket didn’t make it to start when fancied to win on his handicap debut after knocking himself on the way to the start and being withdrawn by the vet. He lines up again in the Lightning Shot Bar Handicap and Duncan Howells will be hoping that the gelding continues on his winning ways.

Much was expected of Wild Wicket in his first three starts but after letting the side down for the third time it was a case of “three strikes and they’re out” and his last run was as a gelding. The transformation was instant and Wild Wicket doddled home to his maiden win – closely tracking the early pace and quickening away to win as he liked.

The handicappers were also impressed by his performance and his rating rocketed from a 71 to 84.

He takes on some seasoned campaigners this afternoon but shows plenty of scope.

Ahead of Wild Wicket in the maiden won by Mr O’Neill – who incidentally has also made major improvement since gelding – was Black Forest who finished second. Frank Robinson’s horses looked a picture of health at Scottsville on Sunday where he was rewarded by Bank The Cash and strictly on that form he looks a threat to Wild Wicket.

However, he took a further two runs to shed his maiden and the form of those races is not strong. However, Black Forest has not been out since his maiden win in November last year and is likely to have strengthened up in the interim.

Janse van Vuuren sends out the lightly raced Nala in the Durban View Restaurant FM 76 Handicap where the daughter of Trippi will be out to keep a clean sheet on the poly. The four-year-old obviously has problems having only raced three times with months off between outings. However, both her wins have come on the synthetic surface and given her record Janse van Vuuren is likely to have her fully prepped for this race even though her last outing was in August last year.

Others returning from lengthy breaks are Sister Cosmos and Vine Street Star, both of whom look capable and worth following in the market.

By Andrew Harrison