Lucky 13 on poly at Greyville

If you suffer from triskaidekaphobia, today’s race meeting at Greyville might provide the cure.

Triskaidekaphobia is the fear of the number 13 and there are two horses who will be carrying that number on the saddlecloths at this meeting who might provide bettors with some financial gain.

Many of the races at Greyville have limited field sizes, in particular those run on the Polytrack where this meeting is taking place. As a result, most of the races have reserve runners who will replace any scratchings that come about after the card has been printed.

Most of the time one only becomes aware of whether these horses have earned a place in the final field on the morning of the meeting but fortunately on this occasion, a couple of early withdrawals have resulted in two No 13s coming into their respective races – and both have winning possibilities.

In Race 5, a MR 65 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m, the scratching of Miss Missouri has brought Eager Duchess into the race. The Gareth van Zyl-trained runner won her last start over this course and distance and that has to make her a serious contender.

Apprentice Thabiso Gumede will take 1.5kg off her back, and as she was carded to carry 61kg, that allowance will give her some relief.

As the rules state, she will move into the draw vacated by the scratched runner and in this case, that is barrier No 7.

In Race 6 the withdrawal of Ramchandani Road has allowed No 13 Flying Peter to come into this MR 72 Handicap over 1400m at No 3 draw. Dean Kannemeyer’s charge has won his last two races over this track and trip and is a massive runner with Keagan de Melo up.