Poly move a cracker for punters

Danie Toerien

The race meeting scheduled for Tuesday at Hollywoodbets Greyville on the turf track has been moved to the polytrack after Greyville received over 40mm of rain.

The change of racing surface has resulted in the customary scratchings, but for bettors it could be a blessing in disguise as there are now a number of runners whose chances of success will be much gtreater.

One such horse is Rollo The Viking, who lines up in Race 3, a Middle Stakes over 1 400m.

Trained by Nathen Kotzen this four-year-old gelding has recorded all three his career wins on the polytyrack. In six outings on the all-weather surface, he has also produced two place finishes, making him hard to oppose.

He is obviously a poly specialist, as he is still winless on grass after nine runs.

Last time out, over 1 600m on the poly, he scored a hard-fought victory over Mocha Blend to win by just 0.3-lengths. That victory has resulted in a 6-point penalty and Rollo The Viking goes into the race on a career high merit rating of 91.

Considering that Mocha Blend has earned herself a spot in the R6-million Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup at Turffontein on Saturday, it is very difficult to see Rollo The Viking beaten in this field on this surface, despite the drop in distance.

Apprentice jockey Dezahn Louw, who steered Rollo The Viking to victory last time out, retains the ride and his 4kg apprentice claim will add to his mounts chances of following up.

In Race 2, a Middle Stakes over 1 600m for fillies and mares, Ice Rain should be a big runner with the change of surface.

Trained by Andre Nel, this five-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix has a perfect two from two record on the polytrack.

She too races off a career high merit rating of 97 and is in the form of her life, having recorded four wins in her last seven runs. All seven those runs have come with the in-form Serini Moodley in the saddle, so it's no surprise to see him retain the ride.

SELECTIONS:

Race 1: 2 Sword Speed, 1 Day Two, 4 Red Cardinal, 9 Taste The Rainbow

Race 2: 4 Ice Rain, 6 Forward Motion, 5 Gimmefabulous, 3 Hierkommiebokkie

Race 3: 6 Rollo The Viking, 10 Claw, 3 Isivivane, 2 Rooster Bradshaw

Race 4: 4 Grand Appeal, 6 Professor Lupin, 5 Sail To The Moon, 13 Copacabana

Race 5: 8 Cowboy Country, 10 George's Magic, 15 Winter Rainfall, 9 Lions Eye

Race 6: 3 Grand Occasion, 11 Sally Port, 10 Radu, 9 Rani Tarabai

Race 7: 3 Gotta Go Eddie, 7 Querari's Dream, 4 Jazz Festival, 6 Global Movement

Race 8: 9 Stampede Ahead, 7 Echo, 6 Roy's Grace, 4 Cali Bullet