With racing having been in limbo over the past month, we remain hopeful of a return to proceedings this Saturday 2nd May 2020. It’s a big day of Racing on the Turffontein Standside track, before we turn our attentions to Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday 3rd May 2020. With runners at both meetings, we touch on their respective chances here.
Saturday 2nd May 2020
Turffontein Standside
Race 1 – 12:15
1100m – Social Distancing Juvenile Plate
13 – Ramchandani Road
Trainer: Clinton Binda
Jockey: Reserve 1
Wgt: 57.0kgDraw: 6 (14 Runners)
Being the first reserve he isn’t a guaranteed runner unless there a withdrawal. With that said, he comes into this race on the back of decent performance on debut in maiden company, when staying on well in the closing stages. Despite the fact that he faces winners here, he has progressed nicely and subsequently put up a very good gallop towards the beginning of April. With natural improvement to come, he should give a useful account of himself.
Winning Form Comment: Fair debut effort. Would have gained from the experience and should make natural improvement.
Sunday 3rd May 2020
Hollywoodbets Greyville
Race 2 – 12:30
1100m – Maiden Plate
4 – Purple Powahouse
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 4 (16 Runners)
He has progressed nicely since returning to racing this year and he has been doing well at home leading up to this outing. The slight drop in trip will suit and with a good tempo expected he should be one of the leading contenders at the business end, with Tristan Godden retaining the ride.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 13 wks. Good last two starts. Shows speed and can feature.
6 – Chief Officer
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Serino Moodley
Wgt: 60.0kg
Draw: 6 (16 Runners)
He gave a useful account of himself last time out, when finishing 2nd best to another Hollywood Syndicate horse, in the form of Jozi Hustle. The latter has since come out and performed well against stronger, when staying on for just a 0,90-length in a graduation plate. With the slight rise in trip this time, Chief Officer will be expected to feature prominently and should have a decent place chance.
Winning Form Comment: Rested 10 wks. Good effort on the polytrack last time. Merits inclusion.
Race 4 – 13:35
1400m – Stay Safe With A Mask MR78 Handicap
4 – Binary Star
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Tristan Godden
Wgt: 60.5kg
Draw: 4 (16 Runners)
He has been dropping in the ratings since returning to racing four starts back and he appears to have landed on a competitive mark of 83 now. The step up in trip should suit the son of Querari, considering he won his only start over this trip which happened to be at this course. Tristan Godden regains the ride and with this significant drop in class, he should have a nice place chance.
Winning Form Comment: Gelded 2019.10.01. Only win this crs & dist. Took on stronger in latest. Chance on best form shown.
Race 5 – 14:10
1400m – Wash Your Hands MR78 Handicap
6 – White Cedar
Trainer: Alyson Wright
Jockey: Thabiso Gumede (-4.0kg)
Wgt: 58.0kg
Draw: 6 (16 Runners)
After a good effort in this class last time out over a trip that was a shade short of his best, he received a 2-point penalty in the ratings. However, the 4kg claiming Gumede jumps aboard and the step up to the 1400m will suit this son of Bold Silvano. Drawn well, he is weighted to go right into contention here and should give each-way punters a very good run for their money.
Winning Form Comment: Good signs of a form return last time. Apprentice claim will help.
Race 8 – 15:55
1000m – Kwazulu-Natal Stakes (Listed)
12 – Travelling Light
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 58.5kg
Draw: 12 (12 runners)
She is a speedy filly who put up a very promising performance in open company last time out and she now has her peak run back after a rest. Athandiwe Mgudlwa has been doing the work on her at home and he takes the ride on this daughter of Gimmethegreenlight. Being a filly that likes to take up the running and lead, she will have to commit early from the widest draw and if finding a bit of luck in running she should have a nice chance of earning some black-type.
Winning Form Comment: 3rd run after rest. Needed last two starts. Has a place chance if overcoming wide draw.