Just the one winner from three sections last week (and a close up second), but at odds of 4/1 a small but worthwhile profit was made and that is the name of the game as we move on with money in our pockets this season, and long may that continue.
Before we look at the winners for this week (and there is a superb meeting at Greyville to work on), I have noticed what looks to the untrained eye a significant increase in the sales prices of the newcomers appearing this spring. Now I don’t do politics or economics (I struggle top spell them to be honest), but I have read of the odd issues in government though that doesn’t seem to be stopping the big guns opening their chequebooks. As a barometer of society I’m pretty hopeful that is a positive sign and with racing one of the bigger employers in the Country the more money that trickles down through owners to trainers to staff to the punting public can only be a positive, and long may that continue for the sport we all love.
On to the Sunday action and I’m in love with Greyville as a track and am still hoping to get back to see the Durban July in three months’ time, fingers crossed. Before then we need to have a good look at the races this (Sunday) afternoon and we have some good ones to choose from looking for yet another winner. Eight races ought to be more than enough for any punter but I’m going to start with the opening maiden at 13:05pm local time (or Race One), where Reverend looks worthy of favouritism. A son of Antonius Pius out of a Fantastic Light mare he was slowly away on debut and allowed plenty of time to get in to a rhythm by Anton Delpech before running on well after the winner had flown to finish second, beaten five and a half lengths at the line. He went straight in to my little black book as a future winner that day and looked a certainty to come on for the run and with trainer Dean Kannemeyer in good form of late he can make his first visit to Greyville a winning one.
I’m not one for betting odds on if I know the prices so that’s Race Two out of the equation, and with Race Three looking tougher than it appears looking at the betting (some interesting early money for On Your Life by the way), I’m moving through the card swiftly without another selection. Mr O’Neill is another who has been well supported ahead of race four but there is an each way whisper for Great Rumpus so move along folks, and my next bet will be in the Umkimkhulu Stakes at 15:25, otherwise known as Race Five. Justin Snaith’s Gimme Six and Dennis Drier’s Sail are fighting it out for favouritism but I am more interested in Dennis’ other runner The High Life who intrigues dropped back in trip. Last time out the Horse Chestnut got up in the last strides over 2000mtrs and is dropping back to 1400mtrs here, but she has only had the seven starts winning four of them and her trainer is no mug, and at 20/1 as I wrote she has each way written all over here and looks worth a little bet.
One more bet will do me (my little brain hurts), and Copper Force has the form in the book to take the other Grade Three on the card, the Byerley Turk over 1400mtrs at 15:55pm (race Six). Drawn fourteen of fifteen in the CTS Mile at Kenilworth at the end of January he was sent off a 35/1 no-hoper that day despite being in the more than capable hands of Justin Snaith and ran a blinder from that stall to finish a length and three quarters second to superstar William Longsword who had won the Cape guineas the race before. He will be unlucky to meet anything of that class this afternoon and at the age of three has a lot more to offer, and with a two draw here if he handles the Greyville track on his first attempt then he ought to come home in front for the third time today.
Sean’s Suggestions:
Reverend to win Race One 13:05pm local time Greyville Sunday
The High Life each-way Race Five 15:25pm local time Greyville Sunday
Copper Force to win Race Six 15:55pm local time Greyville Sunday