The Hollywood Syndicate has another busy schedule of runners this week, kicking off this Monday at Flamingo Park and ending on the Vaal Turf Course on Thursday. See more about their chances here.
Monday 17th February 2020
Flamingo Park
Race 2 – 12:40
1000m – Maiden Plate
7 – Pay The Punters
Trainer: Cliffie Miller
Jockey: Calvin Habib
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 1 (16 Runners)
Current Betting: 14/1
He has coughed in his last two starts and that will be a contributing factor to his disappointing showing on both occasions. He drops back to the minimum trip this time and we are hoping that induces some improvement from this son of Var. At best, he can run a place.
Winning Form Comment: Has had excuses in both runs in Kimberley. Place chance on penultimate.
Tuesday 18th February 2020
Vaal Classic
Race 3 – 13:45
1200m – MR 72 Apprentice Handicap
2 – Strikeitlikeamatch
Trainer: Barend Botes
Jockey: Kabelo Matsunyane
Wgt: 57.5kg
Draw: 12 (15 Runners)
Current Betting: 17/2
He is a consistent sort who gave a decent account of himself last time out, in stronger company. Having slipped another point in the ratings, Kabelo Matsunyane takes the mount and he will have his work cut out from a very tricky draw here. With that said, the yard is in decent form and they are very happy with the way things are going with this 6-year old gelding. With a bit of luck in running, we are expecting a very big effort and give him a nice each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Fair effort last time. Has a small chance in this line-up.
Wednesday 19th February 2020
Hollywoodbets Greyville
Race 3 – 14:05
1600m – Maiden Plate
10 – Bhakka
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 10 (11 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 4/1
He has performed quite well in both starts so far and the form line of his latest run has produced two subsequent winners, which goes a long way to frank the strength of that race. Since then, he has had an interrupted prep after getting loose at home and suffering a few abrasions when slipping on tarmac. As such, the stable feel that he may be in need of this run but are confident of a big performance. He should have a nice each-way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Two good runs produced. Form of latest has worked out well. Will be doing best work late.
Race 4 – 14:40
1600m – MR 79 Handicap
10 – Uncle Charlie
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Serino Moodley
Wgt: 56.0kg
Draw: 10 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
He continues to drop in the ratings and is fast approaching a mark where he should go close to winning soon. Down in class for this run, Serino Moodley takes the mount from another tough barrier and he may be forced to drop him out to the back of the field to give him more of a chance. If finding a smooth passage in the closing stages, he should run on nicely and a place finish can be expected.
Winning Form Comment: Took on slightly stronger in last two. Continues to drop in the ratings. Watch.
Race 7 – 16:30
1400m – Greyville Convention Centre MR 76 Handicap (F&M)
3 – Purple Nkanyezi
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Sherman Brown
Wgt: 61.0kg
Draw: 3 (14 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 10/1
She hasn’t been disgraced in both of her post maiden attempts and she now has her peak run, after her conditioner was forced to back off of her work immediately after winning her maiden. That was as a result of the after effects associated with the mandatory African Horse Sickness vaccinations. She drops back in class and after having 3-points shaved off of her rating, she deserves plenty of respect in this field of opposition. We give her a decent winning chance and she shouldn’t miss the first three places this time.
Winning Form Comment: Fair last two starts. The extra furlong should suit and can run into the money.
11 – Mocha Rose
Trainer: Duncan Howells
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 11 (14 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
She gave a fair account of herself when returning from a long absence last time out. That was as a result of suffering soundness issues towards the latter half of 2019. She picks up another tricky barrier to overcome, but this daughter of Mambo In Seattle should strip a lot fitter this time and she will be much better suited to this 1400m trip.
A slight concern could be the well-documented issues trainers are currently experiencing at the Ashburton Training Facility, where it seems as though there is a virus doing the rounds, causing some horses to suffer from elevated temperatures. This filly has been unaffected by the above mentioned condition, but the stables form has taken a knock and it is certainly worth mentioning. If she can overcome the draw to find a handy position early on, we expect her to have a useful place chance.
Winning Form Comment: Needed comeback run. Is better over this trip. Can improve.
Thursday 20th February 2020
Vaal Turf
Race 1 – 13:05
1200m – Maiden Plate
6 – Zig Zag
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Sherman Brown
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 5 (18 runners)
Predicted Betting: 50/1
He has shown very little so far and we will be hoping to see some sort of improvement. His time is running out and if he doesn’t show some sort of improvement here, we may have to call time on his racing career.
Winning Form Comment: No improvement with blinkers last time. Lightly raced and could improve to take a place.
10 – Hollyrider
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 15 (18 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
This son of Toreador hasn’t shown a lot in his work so far, but it is time to get going with him and the run will be used to bring him on as far as his fitness and strength is concerned. We will have to see how he goes here before he is tipped to the public, but a top half finish will be an acceptable start to his career.
Race 3 – 14:15
1000m – Maiden Plate (3 Year Old Fillies)
2 – Lady Scarletina
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Jeffrey Syster (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 2 (15 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1
Purchased at the recent Aegean Prince Racing Dispersal sale, she has her first start for her new stable and under our ownership. She has shown a fair amount in her first four starts so far and we expect to see her give a useful account of herself here. With that said, it will be her first outing after a 12 week absence and she may just need it. From what she is currently showing, a first four finish is a fair expectation.
Winning Form Comment: Showed promise in first two runs. First run for new stable.