It’s the start of KZN’s Champions Season this Sunday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, with the 2020 renewal of the WSB Colts Guineas (Gr2) and WSB Fillies Guineas (Gr2), following what appears to be a captivating running of this years edition of the Drill Hall Stakes (Gr2). The Hollywood Syndicate has 7 runners to look forward to on the day and we look at their chances in a bit more detail here.
Sunday 7 June 2020
Hollywoodbets Greyville
Race 1 – 11:20
1200m – Bonamanzi Maiden Plate
10 – Purple Powahouse (Pictured)
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 10 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 4/1
He has been lightly raced since that interruption filled debut attempt last spring, but he has been progressing very nicely since and he appears to have found the right sort of race to make a big impression in. With there being a number of first timers drawn on his inside, he should be able to use his early gate speed to track over towards the leading line and if he manages to settle just off the early speed he will be a major contender at the business end. With the expected improvement still to come, he gets a solid each way chance.
Winning Form Comment: Good last two starts over this distance. Merits healthy respect.
Race 2 – 11:50
1200m – The Independent on Saturday Then And Now Maiden Plate
8 – Chief Officer
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 8 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 7/2
He gave a useful account of himself last time out, when staying on well from a handy position and the son of Captain Of All now reverts to the Turf course. He draws barrier 8 and if finding some luck in early running, he should be a big contender in this field, with a slight step up in trip that is bound to suit.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 15 wks. Gelded 2019.06.10. Good effort last time. Will enjoy the extra furlong on offer. Follow.
Race 4 – 12:55
1400m – The Independent on Saturday Sports And Racing Maiden Plate (F&M)
1 – Anika The Angel
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 1 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 3/1
She finds a useful barrier having drawn wide in her last two starts and that will go a long way in aiding her chances this time. She was doing tremendously well just before lockdown but just seemed to hit a bit of a flat spot in her work of late, so there will be a few question marks relating to her well being. If she is fit and well come race time, she will feature prominently and deserves plenty of respect.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 16 wks. Good form thus far. Has cracked a good draw and can go close.
Race 5 – 13:30
1400m – The Independent on Saturday Affluence FM 74 Handicap (F&M)
1 – Mocha Rose
Trainer: Duncan Howells
Jockey: Keagan De Melo
Wgt: 59.5kg
Draw: 1 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 8/1
She seems to be well over those soundness issues she experienced towards the spring last year and she confirmed that in her last start, when making steady progress over the Hollywoodbets Greyville 1200m. From a much improved draw this time, she’ll be settled closer to the leading line this time and if building on that latest effort, she should be a place factor here.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 13 wks. Showed some signs of a form return last time. Has cracked a good draw and can upset.
7 – Royal Kitty
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Warren Kennedy
Wgt: 58.5kg
Draw: 7 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 10/1
A filly that seems to have come into her own over the past few weeks, she has her first run in the Hollywood Syndicate silks. Despite her low rating, she was nominated to run in the WSB Fillies Guineas based on how she has matured in recent times and that has been prevalent in her work of late. She is very well in herself and in this sort of class, we believe she will worth following.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 32 wks. Fair post maiden run. Is yet to be unplaced over this distance.
Race 6 – 14:03
1200m – The Independent on Saturday Arts & Pleasure MR 99 Handicap
2 – Travelling Light
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Thabiso Gumede (-4kg)
Wgt: 59.0kg
Draw: 2 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 25/1
She gave a good site last time out, when taking on older males second up after a rest and she now returns to Hollywoodbets Greyville where she lands a plum draw. She has really come in to her own over the past few months and reports from the stable are that she has never moved better. She gets the 4kg claim off her back and if finding a prominent early position she will be a right there at the finish and must be included.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 14 wks. Decent effort last time. Back over the 1200m. Place chance.
Race 10 – 16:23
1600m – The Independent Football on Saturday MR 79 Handicap
12 – Sunny Bill Du-Toy
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Serino Moodley
Wgt: 60.5kg
Draw: 12 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 14/1
He finished off his last start over 2000m with a barnstorming run after finding late interference. The interruption to the programme couldn’t have come at a worse time as he looked as if he was close to finding his best form and as a result, he may just need this outing. The 1600m will be a touch on the sharp side, but if the early tempo is a good one he could go into contention with another late charge.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 12 wks. Caught the eye when finishing his race off strong last time. May need this run though.