Jack Milner: There are four Non-Black Type feature races on Sunday’s card at Hollywoodbets Greyville and despite the venue change there look to be some decent bets available.
Following gallops on Sunday morning, it was decided to move the meeting to Greyville’s turf track rather than delay the meeting until Wednesday, which had been the other option.
The only other change is that Race 6, the KZN Summer Challenge 2000 Final (Non-Black Type), will now be run over 2000m, not the 1950m as carded.
Race times remain unchanged.
The runner who stands out at the meeting is improving Donald Mcdonald. He lines up in Race 6, the KZN Summer Challenge 2000 Final over 1950m. Only six runners have been carded to go to post so at least there will be no problems with the draw, which is good news for Donald Mcdonald as he is drawn at No 6.
This four-year-old gelding is one of those rare racehorses who is equally at home on the Polytrack and the turf. He started his career at Scottsville, running third on debut and following up his maiden win over 1500m.
Gavin van Zyl then moved his charge to the Polytrack at Greyville and the son of Ideal World went on to win three of four races on that surface. His lone defeat was a 0.90-length third behind Monarchy over 2000m where he got going too late and just failed to make up the deficit.
Van Zyl countered that problem last time by running his charge in blinkers and the outcome was instant. Racing over 1800m, he got going early in the straight and hit the front 200m from home to win as he liked, beating Karoo Lark, to whom he was conceding 5kg, by three lengths.
Donald Mcdonald should have little difficulty readjusting to the turf, and although champion jockey Warren Kennedy will not be riding on Sunday, Van Zyl has engaged Anton Marcus, which indicates he does mean business.
Race 7 is the River Indigo Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares, and this should be the ideal chance for Grade 2 Golden Slipper champion Love Bomb to get back on a winning track.
Trainer Frank Robinson gave her a break after the three-year-old daughter of Oratorio finished unplaced in the Grade 1 Thekwini Stakes over 1600m at Greyville in August. Love Bomb was clearly in need of her comeback run when third to Keep The Lights On in a Graduation Plate over 1200m on the Polytrack last time. She moved up but did not go on with it.
She will be a lot fitter this time and might prefer the return to racing on turf. Robinson has engaged Anton Marcus to ride the filly and she does look a cut above most of her rivals.
The only danger looks to be Blush Of Dawn who is in good nick, having won four of her last six starts, but all on the Polytrack and all but one over 1200m. Lyle Hewitson takes the ride for Garth Puller.
In Race 5, the KZN Summer Challenge 1600 Final, the value could lie with Dean Kannemeyer-trained Mount Anderson, who is 2kg better off with News Stream for a one-length defeat.
Marcus rides Born To Perform who also must have chance, but a lot will depend on his behaviour at the start as he does have the habit of giving the field start.
Put all three in the exotics.
The last of the four features is Race 8, the KZN Summer Challenge 1200 final, and one will need to go wide. Include at least Good Rhythm, Winter Chill, Enjoy The View and Wolfgang in the exotics.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Calulo, 2 I’m Ready, 9 Soweto Hall, 3 Mind Set Race 2: 5 Camora, 10 Seventh Song, 12 Cubanelle, 14 Country Crusader Race 3: 9 Cafe Pacifica, 12 Shamoosi, 4 Rainbow Rising, 8 Straight Six Race 4: 8 Italian Dynasty, 4 Twice As Cold, 2 Guitar King, 6 Legislate’s Dance Race 5: 10 Mount Anderson, 5 Born To Perform, 2 News Stream, 1 Vinson Race 6: 6 Donald Mcdonald, 2 Wealthy, 1 Rise, 3 Irish Wonder Girl Race 7: 7 Love Bomb, 2 Blush Of Dawn, 3 Generous Lady, 5 Jackson Wells Race 8: 8 Good Rhythm, 6 Winter Chill, 5 Wolfgang, 3 Enjoy The View Race 9: 8 Jack In The Box, 3 Dry Var, 4 Gotitall, 2 San Verde