Greyville racing tips, form and preview for Friday, September 25
Our Hollywoodbets Greyville tips, form and preview focus on Friday evening’s eight-race turf card, where promising three-year-old Viking Leader can make a winning seasonal return in Race 3.
Michael Roberts’ gelding caused a 40-1 upset in the Gatecrasher Stakes Gr 3 in June, beating subsequent Gr 1 runner-up and Hong Kong-bound Kazenoyoni, and could have bigger races ahead this season.
Fitness is the obvious concern after the break, but the booking of 2.5kg claiming apprentice Divesh Ramkhalawon helps and a repeat of his last performance should make him difficult to beat. Klein Karoo provides a serious threat after two recent wins over this distance on the Polytrack, while Nordic Chief is proven over the Greyville turf course and distance. Claw is another to respect after narrowly missing out here last time and gets assistance from a 4kg claimer.
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The opening maiden could go the way of One Pepper, who was due to race on Monday before a rain-interrupted preparation resulted in his scratching. He was unlucky at his latest start and can make amends, although Major League improved nicely second time out and should appreciate the additional distance. Race 2 is much more open, with Blue Lagoon given the nod after an encouraging local debut over shorter. He brings useful Cape form into the contest, while Greek Heritage looks progressive and Thought Control is chasing a hat-trick with promising 4kg claimer Shalton Elrico Sesingi aboard.
Banff could provide some value in a competitive Race 4 after two respectable outings for his new stable and now drops slightly in class. Best Of All is better than his latest performance suggests and remains lightly raced, while Magic Surprise and in-form MPHAKA add further depth. Red Dawn makes his local debut in Race 5 and could now be favourably handicapped after sliding in the ratings, with the return of blinkers another positive. Rahhabba gets the nod in a wide-open sixth, while Next of King can follow up his recent course-and-distance victory in Race 7. Tunguska rounds out the card as the selection in Race 8 after finding winning form of late.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all eight races at Greyville on Friday.
Race 1
ONE PEPPER (3) was due to run last Monday but was scratched due to a rain-interrupted preparation. He was unlucky at his latest start and should make amends barring a first-timer producing something special, but at 1.50 with betting sites, looms as a very short option. MAJOR LEAGUE (6) improved nicely at his second outing and the step up in trip should suit, making him a serious threat. GOOD OMEN (9) is struggling to shed his maiden tag but is seldom far away. With a claiming apprentice aboard, this could be his opportunity to finally break through. THE JUDGE (4) was run off his feet last time but has performed well in two local starts and has a money chance.
Our tip: 3-6-9-4
Race 2
This is an open contest. BLUE LAGOON (2) made a promising local debut over shorter and brings solid Cape form into the race. He should be involved in the finish. GREEK HERITAGE (5) won well at the second time of asking and looks progressive off a handy galloping weight. THOUGHT CONTROL (4) bids for a hat-trick of wins, this time switching to the turf. She received a five-point handicap increase for her latest success, but Adam Azzie has declared promising 4kg claimer Shalton Elrico Sesingi. SHOWGIRL (6) has now had two runs since returning from a lengthy break. She remains lightly raced and is definitely one to include in the exotics.
Our tip: 2-5-4-6
Race 3
VIKING LEADER (2) caused a surprise when winning the Gatecrasher Stakes Gr 3, beating subsequent Gr 1 runner-up and Hong Kong-bound KAZENOYONI. He has not raced since June and could be caught short after the break, but he may simply have too much class and a repeat of his last performance will make him difficult to beat. KLEIN KAROO (6) has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. His two recent wins have come over this distance on the Polytrack, while he was also a close-up second to the promising COAST OF THE SUN on turf. NORDIC CHIEF (5) is over his best course and distance and seldom runs a bad race. Should the top two fail, he should be right there. CLAW (7) has been improving steadily and was narrowly beaten over this course last time. He gets the additional benefit of a 4kg claimer.
Our tip: 2-6-5-7
Race 4
This is a competitive handicap. BANFF (6) has had two outings for his new stable and has not finished far back in either. He takes on slightly weaker opposition here and could feature at lengthy odds. BEST OF ALL (2) is much better than his latest run suggests. He remains lightly raced, looks smart and should be right in the finish. MAGIC SURPRISE (1) did not have things go his way last time but was finishing strongly. He has the best of the draw and should feature. MPHAKA (5) is in mustard form and has recently won over this course and distance. He is slowly creeping up the handicap but should remain competitive.
Our tip: 6-2-1-5
Race 5
Another tricky handicap. RED DAWN (8) makes his local debut and arrives with some useful Cape form despite having been sliding in the handicap. He could now be off the right mark and, with the blinkers back on, should go close to winning. TWOCANTANGO (9) has been a little disappointing of late but returns to the turf over a suitable trip and rates a strong chance in this line-up. HEAVEN’S WILL (1) has the benefit of the best draw and a light weight and should be competitive. SOHO CELEBRITY (5) takes on male opposition but produced a fair handicap debut and has a money chance.
Our tip: 8-9-1-5
Race 6
This is a wide-open handicap. RAHHABBA (3) has hardly put a foot wrong since arriving in KZN. She has had a short rest and her recent form has been over further, but she has won over this distance and should be competitive. KUBU (8) is lightly raced and also returns from a short break. She finished close-up behind RAHHABBA when they last met and there should not be much between them again. MISS TWINKLE (7) is lightly raced and comes into this in good form. She can follow up her latest success. SWIATEK (4) is seldom far back and may just have needed the first local start. A win would not be unexpected in such an open contest.
Our tip: 3-8-7-4
Race 7
NEXT OF KIN (2) won well over this course and distance last time and received only a five-point increase in the handicap. That form has subsequently been franked by the consistent ZAGREB (5), who won at his next outing. RED MOUNTAIN (4) showed signs of returning to form last start. He is not the easiest horse to follow but will go close on his day, and that day could be imminent. GARDENER’S PRIDE (3) should ensure there is pace in the race. He is a solid front-runner and could prove dangerous if allowed to get away from his rivals.
Our tip: 2-5-4-3
Race 8
TUNGUSKA (13) has the widest draw but that should not count for much over this trip. Ricky Maingard’s gelding has come good of late and can follow up. DAY TWO (4) has also been in good form. His latest outing was on the Polytrack, but prior to that he finished close-up to TUNGUSKA over this course and distance. With the apprentice claim on TUNGUSKA, there is only 0.5kg between them. NO PRESSURE (3) has won his last two starts, although both victories came on the Polytrack, and he now has a three-point increase in the handicap to contend with. MIKE’S MAZARIN (1) needed his latest run and now steps up to a more suitable trip. He is one to watch closely in the market.
Our tip: 13-4-3-1
