Head Girl can lead them home
“Apessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,” wise words from Winston Churchill for punters who have an opportunity on a competitive card that faces punters at Hollywoodbets Greyville today.
It could well prove prudent to load up your spend in the first two races as the following handicaps will be testing but also lucrative if finding the correct combinations.
Summerveld assistant Byron Forster trains Head Girl for Andre Nel in the first where the filly has finished runner-up at her last two over the distance. She has improved with a tongue-tie and Calvin Habib stays with the ride. Emerald Green has been trying further of late but Louis Goosen has her back over what looks to be a more suitable trip and with blinkers on she looks a threat. Sweet Julia was most disappointing when sent out favourite for her last start but she may have found seven furlong a little out of her compass and is back to a sprint.
Play With Fire
In the second, visiting trainer Fanie Bronkhorst saddles Play With Fire who makes her poly debut in this maiden handicap but she has improved in blinkers and should have a strong chance in a weak field. Valli Girl comes from the in-form Doug Campbell stable and has been consistent of late. The step up in trip in a weak field should see her competitive. Sacred Lily has had a few opportunities but is showing signs of finally coming to hand. She goes well on the poly and could crack a win for Lola Crawford. There should be little between Floral Fantasy and Joan The Wad, the two separated by a neck when last they met. Gary Rich has declared blinkers on Joan The Wad which could see her improve on that showing.
Fourie
The first leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky handicap but Richard Fourie can add to his fast-growing tally with El Rey Viene who does appear to be a little better than his current form would suggest but he showed up well back from a break with first time blinkers and can go one better. Syx Hotfix has his third run after a break and should be cherry-ripe for this contest. He loves the poly and stays the trip well. Straight Up is the second of the Duncan Howells runners and the seven-year-old is always game and looking for his ninth career win. He has the best of the draw and must be considered as a likely winner.
There are no easy pickings in another competitive handicap but Riccardo had the worst of the draw last time out and was a touch disappointing after showing some promising form leading into the race. The blinkers go on and Rachel Venniker stays aboard which could be telling. Release Me has top weight but has been consistent. He drops in class and has a strong chance for his third win. Scampton has not been far back since shedding his maiden and should prefer this step up in trip. He has also dropped four pounds in the handicap. Fireflare beat
Scampton when shedding his maiden and has been pitched into the deep end since then. He is down in class here and can feature.
In the fifth, Pascali is up in class but was narrowly beaten by Allaroundtheworld from a wide draw at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last time out. That form has been well franked and with a handy galloping weight he can go one better. Richard Fourie stays with Tony Rivalland’s charge Cupid’s Song both recent victories coming for Fourie. He has the best of the draw and will have many supporters.
Rodriguez is long overdue and has been consistent which has not done his handicap rating any good. He is always game and could finally get it right with some luck in running.
Midnight Caller
Midnight Caller has gone well over course and distance and was not far back when favourite under a four-claiming apprentice last time out. He gets a more experienced rider aboard and is another with a winning chance. Spring Kiss won well enough last time out to suggest that she can go in again for Andre Nel. She has a good draw and Fourie has kept with the ride. Kitten’s Adventure is never far off them but goes the mile for the first time for Gary Rich. She can go close if she stays. Pretty Analia has drawn up Marriott Road but she was a close-up second behind Spring Kiss last time out. She is slightly better off at the weights but the draw and a relatively inexperienced apprentice are a concern.
Mr Master Starter
Mr Master Starter has run some cracking races to stronger and looked in need of his last effort after a three-month break. That run should have brought him on to be competitive in in the seventh, another difficult handicap. Wyzeact paid dearly for his one good effort in strong company and has earned a hefty rating. However, his best recent efforts have been in the soft so the switch to the poly may be the reason behind Corne Spies’ thinking. Diani has a tricky draw to contend with but he too was possibly short of a race last time out and he is never far back. The two fillies, Sleek As Silk and Morgan La Fay have met on a number of occasions but Paul Lafferty’s runner my just have the edge at the weights this time around
Fourie was spoilt for choice in the last but has stuck with Phaka Imali. The gelding ran a smart race over course and distance last time out and meets Knight Warrior on slightly better weight terms. Dennis Bosch has had his charge hard to the grind stone and will strip a fit horse. Bronkhorst saddles the mare Dancing Dora who has her third run after a break. She has a handy galloping weight and a good draw to aid her chances. Big Slick was a beaten favourite behind Knight Warrior last time out and Rachel Venniker takes over from the fourclaimer.