The Hollywood Syndicate has a number of runners stepping out for us over the next few days, headlined by Seattle Force (pictured) who lines up in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Gr 3) at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday 20th June. See more about his chances and our other runners here.
Thursday 18th June 2020
Turffontein Standside
Race 2 – 12:25
1160m – Wash Your hands Maiden Juvenile Plate (C&G)
9 – Phinda Mzala
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Piere Strydom
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 10 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 7/1
He has been showing signs of leaving the maidens since the start of his career earlier this year and he is certainly going the right way. With that said, he meets a field where it is hard to gauge his chances with a number contenders making their debut and finding betting support. At this stage of his career, the son of Philanthropist seems to be better over this trip and with Piere Strydom jumping back aboard, he should go right into contention.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 13 wks. Good effort last time. Likes this c&d. Follow.
Race 9 – 16:25
Covid-19 National Crisis Helpline 0800029999 Maiden Plate (C&G)
11 – Ramchandani Road
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Piere Strydom
Wgt: 57.0kg
Draw: 13 (12 Runners)
Current Betting: 14/1
He wasn’t disgraced in that debut run earlier this year, when finishing behind the stable companion mentioned above. A son of Pathfork, he has strengthened up well and with the expected natural progression should go a lot closer this time. Of the raced runners, it looks a competitive race but he has the credentials to find the first four places.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 13 wks. Fair debut effort. Strydom rides and should make the natural improvement.
Trackside with Anthony Delpech – Hollywood Syndicate Runner Comments
Saturday 20th June 2020
Hollywoodbets Greyville
Race 3 – 12:10
1400m – Wash Your Hands Maiden Plate
7 – Chief Officer
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 7 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 5/1
He comes into this race on the back of a solid performance last time out. By Captain Of All, he’ll enjoy this slight rise in trip and should have the gate speed to land a useful position early on. Jockey Tristan Godden seems to be getting the most out of him and he should give his followers a decent run for their money.
Winning Form Comment: 2nd run after rest. Gelded 2019.06.10. Runner-up in last two starts. Tries the seven furlongs. Watch.
Race 4 – 12:45
1400m – www.tabgold.co.za MR 70 Handicap
11 – Binary Star
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 63.0kg
Draw: 11 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 8/1
After a disappointing comeback run last time, he now steps back up to a trip where he is far more effective. Gate 11 will pose a few challenges for retaining rider Tristan Godden and the hefty weight won’t aid his cause much either, but he has been working very well at home and should relish the extra ground. With some luck in running and with a line through his last run, we’ll be hoping for a place outcome here.
Winning Form Comment: 2nd run after rest. Gelded 2019.10.01. Needed latest badly. Won only attempt over this c&d. Could surprise.
14 – Uncle Charlie
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Reserve Runner 2
Wgt: 60.5kg
Draw: * (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: SP
An unlikely starter being the second reserve, we’ll need to see two withdrawals for him to line up at the start. With that said, he looks very competitive off his current mark of 67 and he is trip suited. With half a chance, we’d expect to see him go very close to winning in this line up.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 16 wks. Moderate recent form, but continues to drop nicely in the ratings.
Race 5 – 13:20
Stay Safe With A Mask FM 75 Handicap
5 – Arctic Princess
Trainer: Glen Kotzen
Jockey: Jabu Jacobs (-2.5kg)
Wgt: 60.5kg
Draw: 5 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
She was most disappointing in her handicap debut last time and we’ll be hoping for a much improved effort this time around. She had excuses in that run and her work at home since then suggests that she is ready to go a lot closer to winning here. The blinkers stay on and with the 2,5kg weight claim off her back, she should finish in the first half of the field.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 15 wks. Ignore latest as had excuses. The apprentice claim will help. Consider.
Race 7 – 14:30
2400m – Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Grade 3)
14 – Seattle Force
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: Stuart Randolph
Wgt: 57.5kg
Draw: 14 (14 Runners)
Current Betting: 25/1
He gave a decent account of himself last week, on his return to racing after a solid effort over the same trip in Listed company prior to that. He has been crying out for this rise in trip, having won emphatically over 2600m early on last year. From gate 14, he should have the gate speed to get across and take the lead and if allowed to use his action out in front, he could be a very tough horse to catch over the final 400m.
At 25/1, this son of Mambo In Seattle should be very good each way value.
Winning Form Comment: Ex Pettigrew S T-2020.02.16. 2nd run after rest. Needed latest. Draw a concern. Can place.
Race 10 – 16:15
1200m – Covid-19 National Crisis Helpline 0800 029 999 Pinnacle Stakes
11 – Calvary
Trainer: Glen Kotzen
Jockey: Khanya Sakayi (-1.5kg)
Wgt: 56.0kg
Draw: 11 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 20/1
This will be his first run in the Hollywood Syndicate silks after a very good win last time out, over the minimum trip. He seems to be better over the 1000m, so the extra 200m may present a few challenges for this son of Querari and the high quality of opposition will make things tougher. A very speedy sort, he finds a tricky barrier which also raises a few concerns, but he is fit and well and if he does find a bit of luck in running he could have a place chance.
Perhaps worth watching this time out and when he does find a reasonable draw over his preferred trip (1000m), he should be worth following,
Winning Form Comment: Rested 19 wks. Speedy sort. Is better over the minimum trip. Place chance.