With 8-runners representing the Hollywood Syndicate this weekend, our first runners trot out at Turffontein on Saturday 28th December 2019. Seattle Force looks the pick of the two runners carded for the Syndicate and he is expected to just about win again. Moving to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday and Purple Nkanyezi (pictured) will be looking to follow up her debut win with a big run in the 2nd race. Bhakka is another of our 6-runners carded on the day that should be involved in the finish when he steps out in the 3rd race. See more here.
Saturday 28 December 2019
Turffontein Standside
Race 2 – 12:40
1160m – Maiden Plate (Fillies)
10 – Happy Together
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Marco van Rensburg
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 1 (17 Runners)
Current Betting: 50/1
She followed up her disappointing debut with a very modest effort last time. Both runs have been over 1000m and she now has a chance to make some kind of improvement over the extra 160m. Marco van Rensburg takes the ride and hopefully he can be the catalyst for and better run.
Winning Form Comment: Carded to Race 21.12.2019
Race 6 – 15:00
1000m – Racing Association MR 80 Handicap
11 – Strikeitlikeamatch
Trainer: Barend Botes
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Wgt: 55.0kg
Draw: 5 (15 Runners)
Current Betting: 16/1
He has his first start for the Hollywood Syndicate and we’ll be keen to see how he goes here. Like most of the competition, he has had an interrupted prep due to the inclement weather recently, but he should be fit enough to go right into contention on his current form. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride and he is worth a place bet.
Winning Form Comment: Decent latest. Form of that race has been franked. Drops in trip.
Race 9 – 16:45
2000m – Betting World MR 104 Handicap
4 – Seattle Force
Trainer: Stuart Pettigrew
Jockey: Marco van Rensburg
Wgt: 60.5kg
Draw: 6 (9 Runners)
Current Betting: 17/10
He has risen through the divisions with some authority and he doesn’t seem to be stopping yet. Back in similar company to the field he faced in his last start, he carries an extra 2kg’s this time and rises in distance. The slight concern would be his preference for a slightly shorter run in, as he is yet to win in four attempts on the Turffontein Standside track. That said, he is fit and doing very well at home. Marco van Rensburg retains the ride and he knows exactly what it takes to get him into the winners’ enclosure. He is the horse to beat and it will take an exceptional effort to beat him.
Winning Form Comment: Kept going to win latest. Form line of that race has worked out well.
Sunday 29 December 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville Turf
Race 2 – 13:05
1200m – MR 76 Handicap
4 – Purple Nkanyezi
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Luke Ferraris
Wgt: 62.0kg
Draw: 4 (17 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 12/1
She was an impressive winner on debut, when very green in running before finishing strongly. She has come on nicely from the run and the outing would’ve been a great experience for her. Luke Ferraris retains the ride from a similar draw, as she line us for her handicap debut. This will be tougher, but the daughter of Oratorio still has plenty of scope for big improvement and we expect her to give a very good account of herself. She has a nice place chance and an outside win chance.
Winning Form Comment: Raced green when winning on debut. Would have come on from the run. Faces stronger, but could be anything.
9 – Simply Russian
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 62.0kg
Draw: 9 (17 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 12/1
She has just come back from a short break in October and she has progressed well over the past 7 weeks. The 1200m will be slightly short of her best and from barrier 9, she risks being caught out wide with no cover. With that said, she should be staying on nicely in the closing stages and this will be a nice prep for her next start over a bit more ground.
Winning Form Comment: Fair post maiden run. Comes off a long break. Carries a big mass.
11 – Mocha Rose
Trainer: Duncan Howells
Jockey: Donovan Dillon
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 11 (17 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 25/1
She has struggled with lameness issues in her last two starts and her performances as a result, have been well below her best. The stable initially struggled to get her back to race fitness, but she has recently turned the corner and she seems to be over those issues. With that said, she is drawn wide and she will need the run to get going again. We’ll be looking to see her finish off strongly.
Winning Form Comment: Ignore last two starts as had excuses. Place chance if fit and well.
Race 3 – 13:40
2000m – Maiden Plate
11 – Bhakka
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 58.0kg
Draw: 11 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 7/1
He gave a good account of himself over the 1400m on debut and he has come on nicely from the run. On his pedigree and from what he showed us in that run, he is going to relish this step up to the 2000m. From a wide draw, Tristan Godden will look to have him settled in mid-division and with a decent pace expected, he will be running on nicely in the latter stages. With the natural improvement to come, he gets a good each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Promising debut when making good progress. Should make the natural improvement over this extra distance.
Race 6 – 15:25
1400m – Durban View Restaurant MR 88 Handicap
5 – Uncle Charlie
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Ashton Arries
Wgt: 55.0kg
Draw: 5 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1
He finally gets a shot at his peak run after that 14 week lay-off, having recently been carded to run before the meeting was abandoned due to inclement weather. Drawn well, he will race near the front and we expect him to be involved in the finish.
Winning Form Comment: Needed last two starts. Is yet to be unplaced on this course. Watch.
9 – White Cedar
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: S’manga Khumalo
Wgt: 55.5kg
Draw: 9 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 33/1
He needed that comeback run quite badly and the interrupted prep, due to the weather leading up to that run, didn’t help either. The 1200m was a touch on the sharp side but the run has brought him on nicely and he will strip a fitter horse for this step up to the 1400m. S’manga Khumalo takes the ride and he will be looking for early cover from that tricky gate 9. With a bit of luck and if finding a smooth passage to the front, he should be in the first 5 places.
Winning Form Comment: Needed comeback run. Gets the headgear re-fitted and should strip fitter.