Shifting Gears back on the poly
IT didn’t take a rocket scientist to work out that the heavy rain and persistent showers over the past three days would result in today’s scheduled Scottsville meeting moved to the Greyville poly track.
However, the move has led to a plethora of withdrawals due to the change of surface and punters are advised to get up to date before placing bets.
Goosen
Louis Goosen, successful with a double on the weekend, will have taken the switch of surface in his stride as the chances of his filly Shifting Gears were given a boost with the scratching of two of her more prominent rivals, Fiorella and Sitia.
Shifting Gears has come into her own on the poly track and romped home in her maiden win two starts back.
That form has been franked with second-placed Green Fairy a subsequent winner. Lightly raced, she could prefer this shorter trip.
Pearl Glow was a recent maiden winner but does look progressive and could rate the biggest threat to Shifting Gears.
Second-placed Holy Flame in that maiden was down the field at her next start but returned with a swollen eye which will account for that poor showing, so Pearl Glow does look capable of following up.
Emma’s Oracle
Emma’s Oracle and High Altar are two further casualties of the change in surface but Duncan Howells has a third strong to his bow in Miziara who can provide effective back-up.
Although never in the hunt behind Hastagyolo in the KZN Fillies Guineas Trial, she had shown promise before that and with poly track master Anton Marcus back in the irons she could prove too strong for Miss Carrera and recent maiden winner Everlasting Love.
Racing is on the Greyville poly on Friday evening where the Frank Robinson-trained Roy’s Riviera can add to the Christmas coffers.
Robinson had a tilt at the lucrative Highveld races on offer on Summer Cup day and Roy’s Riviera, although beaten nearly five lengths by Folk Dance, was far from disgraced and should have a bright chance of adding a second victory to her CV.
The Australian-bred has yet to finish out of the money and although she takes on some more salted opposition the signs are that she is capable.
Roy’s Riviera
The Highveld is never an easy place to raid but Roy’s Riviera acquitted herself well and showed that the form behind the promising Hashtagyolo and Fiorella does hold some water.
She shed her maiden on the poly and over what looks to be her optimum trip at this stage and a handy weight, she looks a serious contender.
Dangers include Parabola, winner first time out on her KZN debut for Brett Crawford and bottom weight Bridal Veil who should much prefer this mile to the 1 000m dash of her last start.