Greyville racing tips and form for Saturday, June 6
Greyville will host a competitive 10-race programme on Saturday, June 6, and our Greyville tips cover every race on a card packed with Hollywoodbets Durban July implications. The Gold Challenge headlines the meeting and has attracted one of the strongest fields seen this season, while the HKJC World Pool Stakes and Betgames Cup Trial offer several runners a final opportunity to enhance their Durban July credentials. With clear skies and ideal racing conditions forecast for Durban, punters can look forward to a high-quality afternoon featuring established Group 1 stars, emerging three-year-olds and a host of July hopefuls bidding to stamp their authority ahead of South Africa’s biggest race. Andrew Harrison examines the fields, form and odds below, and highlights his top four tips for all races.
Race 1
Punters Challenge Mdn Plate(For All Mdns)
PRESSURE POINT (2) has been a beaten favourite at his last two and is very short at around 2.00 with South African betting sites here. He stays the trip, gets first-time blinkers and should handle the poly. SO INDI (1) disappointed second time out after a promising debut run. She takes on males but has the best of the draw and only 51.5kg to shoulder. OWNER OF CREATION (7) is a struggling maiden but has been runner-up at his last two over course and distance and could finally break the ice. The well-bred REDOUBT EXPRESS (10) makes his debut and is one to watch in the market.
Our tip: 2-1-7-10
Race 2
Stitch Class 4 (F & M)(For Fillies & Mares. Benchmark At 60.0kg = 82)
SPIRIT OF SHIMLA (2) was a good second behind smart stable companion EDUCATOR last time out although in receipt of 5.5kg. She is up against weaker here and has gone well on the poly. SAINT BRIGID (4) has gone close over course and distance in the past and is holding form. She can go one better. Visiting PARIS FUN (6) has consistent Highveld form over the trip. If she takes to the poly she will be a big runner. PROM QUEEN (5) has consistent form on the poly but does look held by SPIRIT OF SHIMLA on their last meeting.
Our tip: 2-6-4-5
Race 3
Pay@ Class 4(Open. Benchmark At 60.0kg = 82)
FATHER CHRISTMAS (1) is a lightly raced four-year-old but comes with solid Highveld form. He was a comfortable winner last time out and if taking to the poly should put in a big effort. PRITTI UNITED (3) shed his maiden at short odds. He has shown some decent Cape form and the step up in trip could see him progress even further. TRIPPI’S SILK (6) won well first up on the poly and got a five-point jump in the handicap. He had a big weight but can follow up. RUN FOREST RUN (4) is seldom too far back and should put in another honest effort.
Our tip: 1-6-3-4
Race 4
Ott Class 4(Open. Benchmark At 60.0kg = 82)
BLAST FROM THE PAST (3) is lightly raced and was in need of his last start after a lengthy break. He should strip a lot fitter this time around and this trip should suit. NUMZAAN (7) is a hard-knocking handicapper and came good on the poly last time out. This trip will suit and he gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle. ROYALSWORD (1) is lightly raced and goes well over course and distance. He has the best of the draw. Visiting HAT’S MAMBO (8) steps up in trip and tackles the poly for the first time. One to watch in the betting.
Our tip: 3-1-7-8
Race 5
Amusnet Devon Air Stakes (L)
ROYAL TIARA (8) made the expected improvement when winning second time out. She should appreciate the step up in trip. ALICE B TOKLAS (4) has shown up well in all three Highveld starts and looks to be the pick of the Sean Tarry pair although PERFECT SKY (7) also made the required improvement when winning second time out. FERRARI FLAIR (1) was possibly outclassed last run but had put in two smart efforts prior to that and from a good draw can go close despite still being a maiden.
Our tip: 8-4-7-1
Race 6
Ridgemont Gatecrasher Stakes (L)
KAZENOYONI (4) was not disgraced behind rising star VIBE CHECK but is likely to come from off the pace instead of racing with the leaders. He looks useful. WORLD SERIES (9) has shown up well in strong company since shedding his maiden. He will enjoy the extra. GREEN ENERGY (7) shows plenty of potential and was still very green when winning last time out, which is a concern. He is a smart looker and should go close. BACHATA (6) won well on debut at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth and is one to watch in the market.
Our tip: 4-9-7-6
Race 7
Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge (Grade 1)(For Horses At Weight-For-Age)
One of the races of the season. THE REAL PRINCE (5) was doing his best work late behind QUESTIONING (1) in the IOS Drill Hall Stakes. He will prefer the extra furlong and looks to be coming on the right way. TIN PAN ALLEY (11) has a tricky draw to negotiate but was only caught late by STAR MAJOR last run in the WSB Guineas. He was an impressive winner beating SEE IT AGAIN (7) in a Gr 1 on the Highveld and although he will prefer further he is always competitive on this course. EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN (9) just needed his last run behind stable companion OKAVANGO last time out. He will have come on lengths from that run. QUESTIONING (1) is in the form of his life and from the best of the draw will have many supporters.
Our tip: 5-11-7-9-1
Race 8
Hkjc World Pool Stakes (Grade 2)(Fillies And Mares At Weight For Age + Penalties)
QUICKSTEPGAL (7) was touched off by star filly WISH LIST last time out. This is her third run after a break and should run another big race. MOCHA BLEND (8) will prefer further but she is a class act having won the Betway Summer Cup Gr 1. She has a big weight but this will be an ideal warm-up for the Hollywoodbets Durban July. ONE FINE WINTER (2) steps up in trip but was running on well behind two champions in ASIYA PHAMBILI and DOUBLE GRAND SLAM last time out. She should be suited to the step up in trip. MON PETIT CHERIE (13) has it all to do from her wide gate and returning from a break but she is smart. RACHEL WALL (3) has been close-up in two Highveld features and has only once been out of the money. Include in all exotics.
Our tip: 7-8-2-13-3
Race 9
Betgames Cup Trial (Grade 3)(Hcp)
A number of Hollywoodbets Durban July hopefuls line up bidding for a gate in the big race. Craig Zackey has forgone the ride on FIELD MARSHAL (6) (currently paying 75-1 to win the Durban July with HollywoodBets) to partner I SALUTE YOU (1). That may prove significant but FIELD MARSHAL (6) gets the services of Richard Fourie and the gelding is seldom out of the money. Both are July entries outside of the current 20-horse log. REGULATION (10) is another consistent performer and was a close-up second in the WSB 1900 last time out. He has a handy galloping weight and should feature. JP’S PALACE (4) will need to up his game to make the July field but he is consistent and with only 52kg to shoulder he could surprise.
Our tip: 1-6-10-4
Race 10
Split The Pot C Stakes(For All Horses)
ARVERNI PRINCESS (5) is quick and has won her last two over the distance. The switch to poly can see her go in again. LONELY AS A CLOUD (6) has smart Highveld form over the trip. He has a useful 2.5kg claimer aboard and must have a strong chance. SCARLET STARLET (3) has been rested but won on debut. She does not meet a strong field and if improving she should be involved. PHUTULICIOUS (4) has a big weight and may prefer it a touch further but seldom runs a bad race.
Our tip: 5-6-3-4
