Greyville racing tips for Saturday, May 30
Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack will host a competitive nine-race card on Saturday, with some quality action set down for punters at this South African racing meeting.
The Group 1 Daily News 2000 will headline a blockbuster card, with a deep field of three-year-olds set to clash in one of the key lead-ups to the Hollywoodbets Durban July. James Crawford-trained STAR MAJOR shapes as one of the runners to beat after storming from last to first in the WSB Guineas Group 2, while Justin Snaith holds a powerful hand headed by the consistent NOTE TO SELF, who has not finished out of the placings in seven starts.
The feature meeting also includes the Woolavington 2000 Group 2, where standout filly WISH LIST will bid for a fourth consecutive victory after her dominant WSB Fillies Guineas Group 1 success. Snaith could cap a huge afternoon if stayer AHEAD OF THE FACTS delivers in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup Listed, although SA Derby-winning filly CURIOUS GIRL looms as a major threat and receives a significant weight advantage. With several elite races and Durban July contenders in action, Saturday’s Greyville meeting promises high-quality South African racing throughout the card.
Andrew Harrison has cast his eye over the card and provided his best bets and free racing tips for Greyville’s May 30 meeting.
Race 1
DAILY NEWS MILK FUND MAIDEN PLATE
TWO TIGERS (1) made marked improvement last time out and has the best of the draw and should be favourite when betting sites launch odds. BANGKOK MAGIC (4) found some market support on debut over course and distance and is likely to make good improvement. FREE ROAMING (5) could be the pick of the Kannemeyer runners although the Hollywood retained rider Gavin Lerena is aboard the debutante SCOTCH AGAIN (2). BRIGITTE ANNE (7) takes on males but is the most experienced horse in the field and does have ability.
Our tip: 1-4-5-7
Race 2
LIFESTYLE OPEN MAIDEN
BOURBON’S BEAST (2) has been disappointing at his last two but the switch to poly and blinkers could bring out the best. QUANDURA (3) has made steady improvement and although taking on males she only has 50kg to shoulder. ROYAL SCEPTRE (1) has been up against strong maiden fields and is one to watch, while CAPTAIN T (9) has been making steady improvement and may appreciate the rise in trip.
Our tip: 2-3-1-9
Race 3
BACKCHAT CLASS 3 (F & M)
DE VLUGGE (7) is unbeaten in her last three starts on the poly and continues to hold her form well. ONE SMART COOKIE (4) is seldom too far back and gets the blinkers back on. FORWARD MOTION (3) is better than her last run suggests and can bounce back, while PERILLIA (5) remains dangerous after a close-up second on the poly last time out.
Our tip: 7-4-3-5
Race 4
RADISSON BLU, DURBAN UMHLANGA MAIDEN JUVENILE PLATE
NAVIGATION (4) made a promising debut and the step up in trip should suit. BENNY AND PAUL (10) returns from a short break after a smart Hollywoodbets Kenilworth debut and can improve despite a wide draw. COAST OF THE SUN (11) was very green on debut but has upside, while IMPRESSIVE (2) has run two smart races over the distance and should be competitive from a good draw.
Our tip: 4-10-11-2
Race 5
LONSDALE STIRRUP CUP (Listed)
AHEAD OF THE FACTS (11) should strip fitter after his run in the WSB 1900 and stays strongly despite giving weight away to the field. CURIOUS GIRL (2) remains unbeaten since stepping up in trip and looks a serious threat after her SA Derby success. CONTINENTALEXPRESS (9) returns to his preferred trip with a light weight, while DOUGLAS DRAGON (10) has joined Vaughan Marshall and brings useful staying form from the Highveld.
Our tip: 11-2-9-10
Race 6
LUCKY FISH WOOLAVINGTON 2000 (Grade 2)
WISH LIST (5) has been ultra impressive in winning both the Gr 1 WSB Fillies Guineas and Lucky Fish Cape Derby and looks capable of making it four straight wins. KEUKENHOF (7) was doing her best work late behind Wish List last time and should appreciate the extra distance. RAINBOW LORIKEET (3) has strong Cape form and can improve on her latest outing, while CALLMEGETRIX (4) gets the nod over MINOGUE (6) at the weights.
Our tip: 5-7-3-4
Race 7
DAILY NEWS 2000 (Grade 1)
STAR MAJOR (11) came from last to first to win the WSB Guineas and looks suited to this trip despite the wide draw. NOTE TO SELF (6) has been ultra consistent and ran an excellent race behind the useful OKAVANGO last time out. JAN VAN GOYEN (7) is a dual Gr 1 winner peaking at the right time, while MALMESBURY MISSILE (4) is untested over the trip but has done well on this course.
Our tip: 11-6-7-4
Race 8
BERLINER CLASS 4 (F & M)
CAPTAIN’S PRIDE (7) has gone close on the poly in stronger company and should feature again despite the light weight. WHATASTAR (5) has improved significantly on this surface and can follow up after a course and distance win. MYSTIC DANCER (2) returns to her favourite surface and looks close to peak fitness, while CELESTIAL DIAMOND (9) can improve sharply second-up from a lengthy break.
Our tip: 7-5-2-9
Race 9
E-EDITIONS CLASS 4
DEFINITELY YES (11) won well from a wide draw last time out and looks capable of stepping up again despite another awkward gate. IRELAND FOREVER (6) may have needed his latest outing and can improve on poly debut. LITTLE BOY BLUE (3) gets a first-time tongue-tie after consistent recent form, while GALLIC VICTOR (2) returns to a sprint trip with blinkers fitted for the first time.
Our tip: 11-6-3-2
