Opensea can part the waves
OPENSEA Mhlamvu was the first Black person to be registered as an assistant trainer in South Africa when he worked for now Sydneybased David Payne. Veteran Mhlamvu is currently assistant to Gavin van Zyl and the horse named after him lines up in the second at Greyville today.
The colt has already had five starts, including three at Turffontein when under the care of Chesney van Zyl, but made a pleasing return to home territory when runner-up to the promising Mr Fitz at Scottsville.
On debut, Mr Fitz had finished second to Last Of The Legend who has subsequently run second in the Listed Derby Trial so Opensea has some solid credentials.
He is back to a sprint today and faces the Michael Roberts galloper Dallas who is bidding to snap a string visits to the second box.
The handicappers have him rated the equal of Opensea so there is unlikely to be too much between the pair if the handicapper’s sums are correct.
Podcast
The opening leg of the Pick 6 sees Podcast having his first outing for Kom Naidoo.
He does have top weight but also a 2.5kg claimer aboard - if he can keep straight - and some useful form to back his claims.
Podcast has had a taste of the poly and looks to be the right one in a competitive handicap.
Secret Dynasty could prove to be a threat as he seemed to do better over the shorter trip last time and jumps from the best draw.
A good each-way wager could come in the form of Kingston Boy.
Doug Campbell’s runner has been dropped five pounds in the handicap and is never far back.
He also goes very well on the poly.
Techno Captain
Of the balance, Techno Captain is not the easiest but did well over course and distance last time and can finish in the money again although he does appear to be at his best over a touch further.
The fourth is a treacherous lowly rated fillies handicap.
Tombola has consistent form over further but has done well over this trip and tries blinkers for the first time which could see her home.
Sheik’s Storm has gone close at her last two and has the best of the draw which counts for a length, maybe two, that can be vital in a handicap of this nature but not a race to go ‘light’ in.
In the sixth, Duke Of Spin showed potential before his New Year break but his two subsequent outings have been a touch disappointing.
Duncan Howells has kicked for touch and Duke Of Spin races in blinkers for the first time.
He cannot be written off lightly and if he does bring his A-game he will be difficult to beat.
Capoeira
Of the balance, Capoeira has been tossed into the deep end but showed up well first run out of the maidens. He has a light weight and can feature while Blackball is 3.5kg worse off at the weights with Duke Of Spin when last they met but was a close-up second to smart stable companion Marchingontogether so cannot be written off lightly.
Another with a chance is Amor Ardiente. Belinda Impey’s gelding is never far off them and has done well on the poly.
Young trainer Wayne Badenhorst, shortly to move to the Ashburton Training Centre, sends out Biker Babe in the seventh and appears to have picked her race as she is way down in class and was not far back when trying blinkers against stronger last run.
Suzi Woo
Finally in the last, Suzi Woo has made steady progress since her barrier trial and Shane Humby’s filly looks primed in a weak field, her only danger possibly On The Bright Side who landed a coup when sent over ground for the first time.
The stable is in hot form and over an optimum trip, On The Bright Side must rate a threat.