Punters face tough task to Catch A Penny

Danie Toerien

Trainer Glen Kotzen sends out a pair in the first race on Wednesday at Hollywoodbets Greyville, a Maiden Plate over 1 400m on the turf track.

Of his two runners, it is Wonderful Tonight who appeals most following his debut run when finishing fourth, less than a length behind debutant Deandre's Dream.

Wonderful Tonight jumped at 25-1, but defied those odds to complete the quartet.

With only one run to his name, this gelded son of Ideal World has no official merit rating yet, but it must be noted that Deandre's Dream is rated 81 after his debut win.

Should Wonderful Tonight show any amount of improvement from his first run, he must be considered an 80+ rated runner too, which makes him the one to beat in this field.

The only concern is that he made his debut on the polytrack, and switches to turf on Wednesday. On the positive side is the fact that he has not drawn too badly in Gate 6.

Kotzen also saddles Catch A Penny in Race 2, a Maiden Plate for fillies and mares over 1400m.

This four-year-old daughter of Vercingetorix has, however, been very expensive to follow. She has perhaps flattered to deceive just too many times, finishing runner-up on seven of her ten career runs when heavily fancied and backed.

She's bound to get it right eventually, but despite the fact that she is the best weighted, there's no guarantee that today will be the day.

Splash Of Love, newcomer Oklahoma Girl, and Intro are all capable of putting up a fight when in the mood.

Interestingly, Oklahoma Girl is a full sister to Pink Pigeon being by Querari out of Polychromatic.

Pink Pigeon beat Catch A Penny back in October last year, so her sister should have every chance to emulate that feat, despite making her debut.

In Race 3, a Progress Plate over 1 400m, Mark Khan's Solar Sail stands out, being by far the best weighted runner. This four-year-old Querari gelding is rated 115, with the second-highest rated runner Go Grayson Go at 91.

Judged on the ratings and weights, one would be excused for thinking that this is a one-horse race.

However, a number of other issues must be noted.

Solar Sail comes off a break of 130 days, with his last run a close-up third in the SA Derby over 2 450m. The long break, dropping back down to 1 400m, and having his first run at Greyville, could combine to give Go Grayson Go, Down By The River, and Coppola the edge over their higher rated contestant as they hold the fitness advantage.

Solar Sail was also bumped up a whopping 29 points after his Derby run and considering that he went off at 66-1 in that Grade 1 event, it remains to be seen whether he will be able to remain competitive at that rating.

As this is the first leg of the Pick 6, perhaps going a bit wider is the sensible option.