Greyville race tips, best bets & form preview for Sunday, October 25
Our Greyville tips, form and preview for Sunday, 25 October, focus on a nine-race turf meeting headed by a Conditions Plate featuring several Summer Cup hopefuls, with former winner Mocha Blend looking particularly well placed to return to winning form.
Mocha Blend looks one of the better bets on an intriguing card when she contests Race 4, a Conditions Plate that will serve as an important preparation for several runners targeting the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup. The former Summer Cup winner is favourably treated at the weights and should appreciate the step up in distance after doing her best work late behind the smart Quickstepgal over an inadequate 1400m last time. She should also strip considerably fitter and looks the one to beat.
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Whispering Death could provide the biggest danger for Mike and Mathew de Kock after catching the eye on his return from a lengthy absence. He showed considerable promise earlier in his career and has a handy galloping weight, making him a potential upset candidate if he can rediscover his best form. Nathan Kotzen has two possible Summer Cup contenders in Madison Valley and Field Marshal, with the former having finished ahead of Mocha Blend when they met last time. Madison Valley should also appreciate the longer distance, while Field Marshal returns from a lengthy break with Craig Zackey back aboard.
Magic Verse is another Summer Cup entry and represents the powerful Justin Snaith stable, although he has not raced since finding the 3200m of the Grade 3 HKJC World Pool Gold Cup beyond his capabilities. Go Grayson Go also has an outside chance of making the Summer Cup field and victory here would strengthen his prospects. With several runners likely to have bigger targets ahead, race fitness could prove an important factor.
Elsewhere on the card, In A Timely Manner gets the vote in a tricky third race after showing consistent Cape form, although Highveld visitor Ariovitus should be competitive for Tony Peter. Master Bomber could appreciate the extra distance in a wide-open fifth race, while Got The Word is capable of ending a lengthy losing sequence in Race 6. Veteran Trafalgar Square looks well placed to add another victory to his record in the seventh, having been in excellent recent form and enjoying a favourable weight turnaround with Champagne Mac.
Rushing Chimes looks another strong contender in Race 8 after an excellent seasonal debut against the experienced Chara Sands. Richard Fourie takes the ride from a favourable draw and she should take plenty of beating. Major League can round off the afternoon in the ninth after showing steady improvement in his first three starts, although the talented but long-absent Edward Rye adds an element of uncertainty to the finale.
Below is our free form analysis and racing tips for all nine races at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Sunday.
Race 1
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EMERALD VISIONARY (9) represents Stuart Ferrie, who holds a strong hand among the runners with exposed form. He finished five lengths behind shock winner HADRIAN’S WALL on debut and should benefit from that experience. Stable companion CASINO ROYALE (14) made a promising debut when finishing second at long odds but has the disadvantage of the widest draw and this is reflected in HollywoodBets odds. THE JUDGE (12) had a difficult passage from a wide gate last time and has shown improvement in recent starts. Unfortunately, another wide draw complicates his chances. First-timer SAM BELLAMY (5) could prove the pick of the newcomers, with his stable hitting form and Richard Fourie booked to ride. The betting market should provide a useful guide in a race featuring several unraced runners.
Our tip: 9-14-12-5
Race 2
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TRIP TO VENUS (3) has been knocking at the door for some time and was narrowly beaten over 2000m on the Polytrack last time. He drops back to a mile and races with blinkers for the first time, which could provide the necessary improvement. LE CONCIERGE (5) has shown good form since arriving from the Cape and was a solid second on the Turffontein inner track at his latest outing. He should be a strong contender again. ZYTANO MAXIMO (4) is an interesting runner with Keagan de Melo choosing to ride him ahead of TRIP TO VENUS. This will be only his third start and he is worth monitoring in the betting. FLIGHT TWENTY ONE (9) produced an encouraging debut at long odds and could improve considerably with that experience behind him. He is another whose market support would be significant.
Our tip: 3-5-4-9
Race 3
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IN A TIMELY MANNER (9) gets a narrow preference in a tricky opening leg of the Place Accumulator. He has consistent Cape form and makes his local debut over a distance that suits him. He should be competitive if reproducing his recent efforts. ARIOVITUS (5) represents visiting Highveld trainer Tony Peter and brings solid Johannesburg form over the trip. He has a favourable draw and looks a serious threat. NEXT OF KIN (2) disappointed as favourite over this course and distance last time and now faces stronger opposition. However, he has a handy galloping weight and could make amends. BLUE STEEL (4) is not the easiest horse to ride and appears more comfortable on the Polytrack, although he has also produced useful turf performances. He cannot be discounted in an open contest.
Our tip: 9-5-2-4
Race 4
Conditions Plate
MOCHA BLEND (5) is preparing for another tilt at the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup and comes into this Conditions Plate particularly well treated at the weights. The former Summer Cup winner was doing her best work late behind QUICKSTEPGAL over an inadequate 1400m last time and should be much better suited to this longer distance. She also looks likely to strip fitter and is the one to beat. WHISPERING DEATH (1) caught the eye on his return from a lengthy absence and has a handy galloping weight. He showed considerable potential earlier in his career and could prove dangerous if returning to his best form. MADISON VALLEY (2) finished ahead of MOCHA BLEND when they met last time and should also appreciate the extra distance. He is another with Summer Cup ambitions and must be respected. MAGIC VERSE (8) is also entered for the Summer Cup but has not raced since finding the 3200m Grade 3 HKJC World Pool Gold Cup too demanding. He represents the Justin Snaith stable and should be well prepared for his return.
Our tip: 5-1-2-8
Race 5
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MASTER BOMBER (4) has been beaten as favourite at his last two starts but continues to hold his form well. The step up in distance could suit and he gets the vote in a wide-open handicap. LAST OVATION (3) takes on male opposition but stays the trip well and benefits from the services of a 4kg claiming apprentice. She should be competitive under a favourable weight. BOMBERS IN THE SKY (11) has been struggling to register his second career victory but makes his local debut and appears to be the preferred runner of Glen Kotzen’s pair based on jockey bookings. He could improve in his new surroundings. JAZZ FESTIVAL (1) has dropped to a more competitive handicap mark and enjoys both a favourable draw and a handy galloping weight. He looks capable of getting involved in the finish.
Our tip: 4-3-11-1
Race 6
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GOT THE WORD (5) has been doing most of his recent racing on the Polytrack and returns to turf with a light weight. It has been some time since he opened his winning account, but he looks capable of finally adding a second victory in this competitive handicap. THE GLIDING FISH (3) has been competing against stronger opposition and has not been finishing far behind. He also switches back to turf and races over his preferred distance, giving him a strong chance. HEARTS ON FIRE (12) has a difficult draw to overcome but has finished close-up at her last two starts on the Polytrack. She should again be competitive if handling the return to turf. POURSOMESUGARONME (13) is always capable of making her presence felt, although Keagan de Melo faces a difficult task navigating a passage from a wide draw.
Our tip: 5-3-12-13
Race 7
Turf Handicap
TRAFALGAR SQUARE (8) is a veteran campaigner who remains in excellent form and returns to his preferred distance. He is 2.5kg better off at the weights with CHAMPAGNE MAC compared with their previous meeting and looks capable of reversing that result to register his eighth career victory. CHAMPAGNE MAC (2) has plenty of early speed and carries just 49.5kg from a favourable draw. He is also back over his favourite distance and should be difficult to catch. PROPHET (10) has produced two encouraging performances since joining his new stable and looks a serious contender, although he is 2kg worse off with TRAFALGAR SQUARE. BARRY’S BOY (7) was beaten as favourite last time but stayed on well and now drops in class. He should be capable of making amends if reproducing his better form.
Our tip: 8-2-10-7
Race 8
Fillies & Mares / Highveld Form Stakes
RUSHING CHIMES (1) competed at the highest level during her juvenile campaign and made an excellent seasonal debut when narrowly beaten by the experienced CHARA SANDS. She should improve with that outing behind her and looks the one to beat with Richard Fourie aboard from a favourable inside draw. BLIND FIRE (7) had her consistency rewarded with victory last time and brings solid Highveld form into this contest. She represents a strong stable and should again be competitive. SCANDALIZE (2) has been in good form since shedding her maiden tag and steps up slightly in class. However, she has the benefit of a 4kg claiming apprentice and should make her presence felt. INNERBLOOM (5) has yet to produce a poor performance in KwaZulu-Natal and is well suited to the distance. She should be involved in the finish again.
Our tip: 1-7-2-5
Race 9
Middle / Handicap Stakes
MAJOR LEAGUE (7) opened his winning account at just his third start and has shown improvement with every outing. He now faces relatively modest handicap opposition and looks capable of following up to round off the afternoon. EDWARD RYE (2) is an interesting runner making his first appearance since January last year. The lightly raced seven-year-old has clearly had his problems but possesses considerable ability and has previously performed well against much stronger opposition. His race fitness must be taken on trust, although Tony Peter is unlikely to send him to KwaZulu-Natal without adequate preparation. THE SWAN SONG (11) has a difficult draw but was not disgraced behind the highly rated COAST OF THE SUN last time and should be competitive. HADRIAN’S WALL (4) made all the running to shed his maiden at long odds and the form of that victory looks promising. He could prove capable of following up.
Our tip: 7-2-11-4
