Andrew Harrison
VALIENTE is something of a poly specialist but faces a stiff task from the widest draw when he lines up in the seventh at Hollywoodbets Greyville on a difficult card today.
According to Peter Muscutt his charge has plenty of ability but does have his quirks. He was due to run at Hollywoodbets Scottsville at his last outing with a cheek piece on his left side to prevent him looking at the grandstand, a trait that Muscutt was at a loss to explain.
The cheek piece came off when the meeting was switched to the Greyville poly and Valiente showed just what he is capable off, making all the running and winning rather comfortably.
He copped a four-point penalty for that win but still looks good enough to have the wood on Kings Road with his trainer, Clinton Binda, having to cast around for another 4kg claimer after Gabriel Pieterse was side-lined with a bruised knee after a fall last week.
Shinnecock got the better of Spydas Corner last run and although that form has not been franked this is his third run after a break. It is best to ignore Saviour’s last run as he has good form over the trip and poly could suit.
But the list of possible winners is a long one. Di Mazzio is a seasoned veteran back over his preferred course and distance while Tonightsfightnight and Ace Of Spades cannot be written off lightly.
The card opener could be tricky. Paul Peter’s runner Greenhill has improved with each outing and looks ready although Warren Kennedy has jumped ship to partner first timer Mr Cat for his usual KZN stable so the betting should be an indicator here. Zuberi has shown some improvement back on the poly although he has had a few chances while Ownyourfate can do better than form would suggest. English Princess, fresh from her visit to the ocean last week, takes on males but has not been far back at recent outings.
In the second, Varvacious should give you a run for your money. She was not far back behind Star Act at her last start who has since franked the form that looks fairly solid. Things have been made a little easier with the scratching of My Big Vision My Big Vision but Sabrina Fairchild showed good pace when tried in blinkers for the first time and the switch to the poly could bring out her best.
The third could develop into a three-way contest. Global Appeal goes well this trip and enjoys the poly. Soller has been runner up in last three and also goes well on the poly and rates a strong chance. The visiting Amplify found some market support in a work rider’s race on the Highveld and should to come on from that.
The fourth is a difficult handicap. The Pat Lunn-trained Matadora’s Parade has consistent form over shorter but her pedigree suggests that she can do better this trip. Aalsmeer comes from an inform stable has shown good recent form over a touch shorter but should enjoy the extra now from a much better draw. Sekhmet has been taking on stronger of late and from a good drawn she must have a big chance.
Yet to show.
In the fifth, Rock Flight has been knocking on the door for some time now. She may prefer this shorter trip and looks the right one here. However, the Highveld raiders are always ones to watch out for and Offsides could be a big threat to a horse who always seems to find one or two too better. Bells And Whistles is another that has been knocking at the door.
In another difficult race, Lunn could be chasing a double in the sixth as Tromso has been the model of consistency and is due a change of fortune. He goes well on the poly and the extra should suit. Psycho King has come good at recent starts while Lord Of The Manor battled from a wide draw and cheekpieces last run. He has the best of the draw here and the cheekpieces are off. Hey Bill had it tough from a wide draw last run and that form has panned out very well so he must have a strong chance.
The last is another tricky puzzle with plenty of runners in with chances. However, Purple Merchant is unbeaten in two and although returning from a four-month break she shows plenty of promise. She has risen in the ratings but does look to be a little bit special. Wildly In Love won a closely contested handicap in stronger company last outing and loves this surface. The handicappers appear to have got the measure of Glitter And Gold but she is still in good form. Suzi Woo comes from an in form stable and although she will prefer further the blinkers go on. Diamonds And Dust tries for a hat-trick of wins and did beat males last time out.
