Diamonds and pearls could shine

STUDYING a race card is often very similar to building a jigsaw puzzle.

One first unpacks all the pieces face up, then looks for the corner-pieces and the edges and as one builds the frame, it becomes evident where the pieces fit to complete the picture.

Well, if today’s nine races at Hollywoodbets Greyville was a puzzle, the picture would probably have been of the ocean, because in every race there seems to be a sea of possibilities.

One race that seems particularly challenging for punters is Race 7, an FM 87 Handicap over 2 000m.

The majority of the lasses lining up will be burdened with between 59kg and 63.5 kg, a considerable weight to carry over such a long distance.

One runner who does seem capable of going the distance and emerging victorious is Railtrip, a four-yearold Trippi filly.

Don’t be fooled by the fact that she failed to impress last time out in the Listed East Coast Cup for fillies and mares.

Trained by Gavin van Zyl, she has an impeccable record over the Polytrack, with a win and two seconds in four runs. She also performs very well second up after a break, with a 1-2-1 record from four runs.

Add the fact that she will have champion-elect jockey Warren Kennedy whispering in her ear, and she obviously looks like a corner-piece in this puzzle.

As said before, this is most definitely not a onehorse race. There are many reasons why Connect Me, Catch a falling star, and Irish Wonder Girl all have almost equal title claims in this particular race.

But the one filly who could end up being the rising sun in these a of blue, is Diamonds and pearls.

She’s never been tested over this distance, but knows the course well.

Shane Humby’s charge will also be partnering with jockey Donovan Dillon and the pair boasts six top-three finishes from seven outings together.

Most importantly, Dia has an unmondsandpearls ability to accelerate at canny the death of a race.

This should suit her per as the pace is not exfectly to be all that fast due pected to the weights on the girls’ backs.

Unfortunately the pace piece of the puzzle will only be clear once the runners are racing. But there’s reason enough to believe Diamond can give Railtrip sandpearls and the rest of the gang a run for their money.- PHUME LELA

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