Some apprentices never ride out their claim in the five years of their apprenticeship but trainers are quick to cotton on to those that are full value for their allowance.

Lyle Hewitson is an example, riding out his claim in record time, but he was more the exception than the rule given his background in the work rider series. Denis Schwarz has a more conventional grounding but in the space of a couple of months has notched 13 winners and is full value for his 4kg claim as his almost full card of rides at Greyville this afternoon bares testimony.

He partners the Doug Campbell-trained Lala in the fourth and although the four-year-old daughter of Visionaire faces a tough task, Schwarz’s claim coupled with a pole position draw could be enough to see her score her fifth career victory.

Schwarz was aboard when Lala made her seasonal debut over the Scottsville mile and racing handy, she kept on gamely to finish third behind Fantasy Lady giving the winner 3kg.

There is the spectre of the second run after a lay-off hanging over her for those that believe but she has a lot going for her this afternoon.

Duncan Howells is at Turffontein overseeing the preparation of Saratoga Dancer and Ten Gun Salute, both runners in the Charity Mile on Saturday, so assistant James Rich will be saddling Crackpot who looks a likely threat to Lala. She has a fair bit of pudding to shoulder but she is in cracking form, winning her last start comfortable over the Scottsville 1950m. She is ideally suited to today’s trip and can go in again under Brandon Lerena.

But this is far from a two-horse race. Mamasita was only run out of it late by Crackpot at her penultimate outing and although she didn’t feature in the Michaelmas Handicap last Friday, this will be her third run after a break so she should strip super fit.

Playboy Buddy won over course and distance last time out but could be held by Crackpot while Anton Marcus take a rare mount for Belinda Impey. Music World doesn’t know how to run a bad race and loves the poly on which surface Marcus is a master.

Punters generally face another difficult card but Newyorkstateofmind could get them through the opening leg of the Pick 6. Sean Tarry’s runner took an age to shed his maiden but he continues to improve and is hunting his third success. He got a small penalty for his last win and has not finished further back than third in five starts on the poly. He has another good draw and can go in again.

Victory Team has shown some promise and caught the eye last time when returning from a break. He has a tricky draw but should be in the shake-up. Aramouse has yet to run a bad race since arriving in KZN and has won over course and distance. He has a difficult draw but must be a runner while Fire The Rocket has a big weight but loves this course.

It often pays to follow the combination of Anthony Delpech and Dean Kannemeyer and Tanjiro will be many pundit’s idea of a Pick 6 banker when he lines up in the Track & Ball Gaming Handicap over 2000m. He was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out, taking a bump at a crucial stage of the race, and going down a nod-of-the-heads behind Jama. With Born To Rule and possibly Classe Mondiale likely to set a brisk early pace, expect Delpech to pounce over the final furlong.

Andrew Harrison