Tricky card for punters
GREYVILLE has an eight race meeting tomorrow, although plenty of homework will be required by punters in order to return a profit.
The first three races are on poly and the last five on turf, weather permitting.
In the first race over 1600m, Open Your Heart went close over 1400m last time when taken to the front by Anton Marcus and the latter now keeps the ride over a trip the filly should appreciate on pedigree. Liquorice Moon ran a fair race when racing wide from a high draw over 1400m last time and, if finding cover this time could earn.Belarus, L’Attitude and Mad Pushpa make most appeal of the rest.
In the second over 1600m, Live On The Moon caught the eye running on over this course and distance last time and will have come on from the run. It was his first outing for over a year but many of the Nel yard’s horses were off the course in such a manner, not for soundness reasons or for a lack of fitness, but rather because Sabine Plattner was without a licensed trainer for that period.
Jullidar steps back to the distance of one of his best runs and should be thereabouts. Stokvel has run two good races over 1400m when not having much luck and is interesting over this trip.
In the third over 1000m Ostentation looks the one to beat from a good draw having run two fine races over course and distance recently and having excuses in both. Roy’s Gul Gul Ha ran a fine race first time out the maidens and should be a threat. Rasta’s Jet could place at likely nice odds.
In the fourth over 1400m on the turf, Redcarpet Captain is drawn in pole over a suitable trip and faces an uninspiring field. Cutting Edge has some class and will also enjoy this trip. Fully Charged has a wide draw to overcome but will love the return to the turf and should be running on strongly.
In the fifth over 2400m on the turf, Worship Dancer has always been an eyecatching sort and looks likely on racing style and pedigree to relish this trip, so he could be the one to side with despite a three point raise for his last win. Kentucky Guest has come down to an attractive merit rating and was staying on over 2000m last time. Pioneer Spirit as always struck as a horse who would enjoy this trip and being by Go Deputy should be coming into his own. Great Rumpus is in fine form and has proven staying power. Supercede and Seeking The Dream can’t be ignored.
In the sixth, a Graduation Plate over 1600m on turf, Marcus has abandoned Willoughton in favour of Run Rhino Run, who has landed a good draw over a suitable trip and is best in at the weights. He can overcome a five month layoff as he has plenty of class.
In the seventh over 1600m on the turf, Delpech remains faithful to Killer Woman, who is well drawn and looks likely to relish this course and distance. Roy’s Academy won her maiden easily and has not been unduly punished by the handicapper so should be thereabouts over a step up in trip that should suit. Thaler Point is interesting back over the trip of her best run this year. Beautiful Jet should be running on well in her second start after a long break.
In the last over 1600m on the turf, Off Ramp should appreciate the course and distance as she flashed up late over 1400m last time, having been a touch disappointing before that in two poly runs, so she probably prefers this surface. Money Penny has some good form and being by Silvano should enjoy the step up in trip, although her Fort Wood dam was speedy. Lobelia has drawn in pole which will suit her handy style but on pedigree she is not certain to enjoy this step up in trip. THERE is a doubt about second favourite Rabada in Saturday’s Grand Parade Cape Guineas.
Mike Azzie (pictured) expects to make a decision about Anton Marcus’s mount today.
He said yesterday: “Rabada did very well after his second in the CTS Ready To Run Cup and he was going along nicely but I wasn’t happy with his final gallop last Thursday.
“He was a little distressed afterwards so we took a blood test.
“The picture wasn’t too bad – there were one or two small things we had to tweak – and we are going to give him a blitz in the morning and reassess him.
Silver Mountain
“We will be taking on Silver Mountain who I think is something special and I don’t want to go down to Cape Town if I am not happy with the horse.”
Rabada, as short as 15-4, is the highest-rated horse in the race – jointly with Silver Mountain who receives 2.5kg – and the Ready To Run Cup at Turffontein at the end of October was his first outing since landing the Premiers Champions Stakes at Greyville three months earlier.
Azzie said: “He was in need of the run when he ran second (to Champagne Haze) that day. Things hadn’t gone his way in the build-up.
“They pulled up some of the tracks and he missed crucial work when I needed to give him a bit of stamina work and the track was not available.
“As a result he went into the race underdone.”