We have runners at both Greyville meetings this weekend, starting with Anika The Angel and Syx Shooter on Friday 14th June 2019. Then on Sunday 16th June 2019, Simply Russian should have a nice chance at leaving the maidens in the opener on the card. Uncle Charlie (pictured) makes his return and joins Winter Twilight in Race 3, for their handicap debuts. See more about their chances here.
Friday 14th June 2019
Greyville Racecourse
Race 1 – 16:55
1600m (Turf) – Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
1 – Anika The Angel
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Lyle Hewitson
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2(10)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
She was one of the first of the Wylie Hall progeny to try the mile last time out and barring a slightly false run race, she made a good impression. The good early speed on that occasion, was reduced by the front runners at approximately the 1000m mark and she lost some momentum as a result. She managed to turn it on again, just tiring the last 50m but that was expected with it being her first run after a rest. She comes into this race, a much fitter horse and back in maiden company. With the natural progression we expect and with Lyle Hewitson retaining the ride, she should run a bold race and feature in the finish.
Winning Form Comment: Good comeback when stepping up to this trip. Hewitson retains.
Race 8 – 21:10
1200m (Poly) – Maiden Plate
12 – Syx Shooter
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jason Gates (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 11(12)
Predicted Betting: 33/1
He has his local debut today, after performing well below where we expected him to be in Gauteng. With that said, he has run behind some useful two year olds on the Highveld and he should start to make some improvement in this new environment. He has a tough draw to overcome, but he has good gate speed and we expect him to finish in the first half.
Winning Form Comment: Modest, needs improvement to have any chance.
Sunday 16th June 2019
Greyville Polytrack
Race 1 – 12:25
1400m – Maiden Juvenile Plate (Fillies)
7 – Simply Russian
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Luke Ferraris
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 8(9)
Predicted Betting: 4/1
She has started her career with a hat-trick of 3rd place finishes and she now steps up to a trip where we expect to start seeing the best of her. In her penultimate start, she ran behind possibly the best 2yr old filly in the country and that form line has started to show some dividends. Luke Ferraris takes the mount this time and will look to her have settled just off the early pace. She has a good turn of foot, so she will be running on late and we give her a nice each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Showing lots of promise and will love the extra 200m.
Race 3 – 13:35
1200m – MR 72 Handicap
2 – Uncle Charlie
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 59.5kg
Draw: 12(13)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
He returns from a 22 week rest after straining a pectoral muscle in his maiden win, last time out. This run will be used to get him going again and should bring him on nicely for his upcoming campaign. The 1200m will be a touch sharp for him and the draw almost takes him out of the race. We’ll be hoping to see him stay on in the closing stages and if he finishes in the first half of the field, the objective will be achieved.
Winning Form Comment: Good form, but drawn wide and may need this.
13 – Winter Twilight
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Reserve Runner
Wgt: 54.0kg
Draw: 7(13)
Predicted Betting: 14/1
He is the reserve runner here, so will be relying on one of the other runners to be withdrawn in order to take a place at the start. If that is the case, he will make his handicap debut after leaving the maidens with a hard fought win last time out. He has his third start on the poly track, having gone close up in both previous starts and he clearly has no issues on this surface. With that said, he faces much tougher now and will need to step up to the plate if he is going to feature here. We give him an outside place chance on his handicap debut.
Winning Form Comment: Fair form, but just won maiden and makes handicap debut.