Midweek Racing: Looking Up!

Another weekend of low-key but competitive local racing has passed and we will have to go global this week for a genuine highlight. That comes in the shape of the York Ebor Festival which commences on Wednesday.

The traditional highlight of the season on the Knavesmire ends with the unforgettable Sky Bet Ebor on Saturday.

The four-day festival treats punters to some of York’s oldest, fastest, richest and most famous races. Great racing with all the betting facilities available right here on Hollywoodbets.net.

On Friday we can look forward to our first local black-type feature of the month – so things are looking up! But more about that in Thursday’s mailer.

The first of nine competitive races at a sunny and pleasantly warm Flamingo Park jumps at 12h10 today.

Winning Form-sponsored Muzi Yeni has maintained his excellent form from last term and he could have a profitable day.

He partners former KZN-based CALL TO DUTY in the second race for former multiple Northern Cape Champion Corrie Lensley. The pair are a lethal combination.

The son of Pomodoro made a good start to his Kimberley career earlier this month, when staying on to be beaten three lengths by Lion King over a mile – that despite hanging. The four-year-old gelding drops 200m in trip here, but will be ready for a big run and must go close.

In a deviation from the recent midweek norm, we are on the Turffontein Standside track for nine races on Tuesday.

Sean Tarry sends out the R2,6 million debut winner CAPTAIN’s REWARD in the second.

The Klawervlei-bred daughter of ill-fated Captain Al was a smooth Vaal 1200m winner at her opening appearance on a racecourse back in June when well supported. She has been rested ten weeks and has her first run as a four-year-old under Kabelo Matsunyane.

She looks something special but takes on a nippy bunch over the 1160m, with BOSS BABE threatening to win soon again.

Hollywoodbets Greyville hosts our eight-race Wednesday meeting and the possible best bet of the week in the shape of the long-overdue Master Of My Fate filly LA DUCHESSE.

The four-year-old reverts to the all-weather after three smart efforts at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. She has earned at nine of her 14 starts and from a two draw over the mile, and with the assistance of the red-hot Warren Kennedy, she will have her best chance to finally crack the ice.

The Vaal Classic track rounds off the midweek racing with nine events on Thursday.

The fields are not big but there are a few curveballs awaiting players and we can get off to a flyer in the first, courtesy of top workrider, Joe Gwingwizha.

He partners the Twice Over filly THERECANBEONLYONE who has run three fair races since going down narrowly on debut over 1400m under the same Gwingwizha.

The three-year-old steps up to the 2400m, but the maidens at this trip are often weak, and she can win if she finds the extra distance. She is out of a good Captain Al mare who won up to 1950m. So there is plenty in her favour!

Have a great week of winners, and more winners.

Wednesday 21st August 2019
Hollywoodbets Greyville Polytrack 

Race 2 – 13:15
1000m – Graduation Plate (F&M) 

7 – Travelling Light 
Trainer: Garth Puller
Jockey: Serino Moodley
Wgt: 55.0kg
Draw: 5 (7 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 15/10

After that encouraging run on handicap debut last time, where she took another bump at the start and proceeded to race wide, she lands a slightly improved draw on Wednesday. We believe this filly is well above average and from a handy position, if anything moves up to her in the latter stages, she should be classy enough to shake them off. We were going to give her a short break after that latest effort, but she is so well in herself, that it made sense to take advantage of her well-being here and we give her a good winning chance.

Winning Form Comment: Drawn wide in eye-catching latest, on handicap debut. Respect.

Race 6 – 15:35
1600m – MR 68 Handicap 

4 – Lauren Of Rochelle 
Trainer: Darryl Moore
Jockey: Athandiwe Mgudlwa
Wgt: 59.5kg
Draw: 11 (12 Runners)
Predicted Betting: 14/1

He found little luck in running last time out when having to switch at a crucial stage of the race. However, he was able to regain his momentum and ran on nicely. It is based on that effort that we have opted to go for the mile this time, but once again he has a tricky draw to negate. With that said, he has lost his early gate speed and will have to drop out in any event. If settling well, there should be a decent gallop on, and we expect him to run on nicely in the latter stages. He has a nice place chance if seeing out the trip.

Winning Form Comment: Must overcome tricky draw, but should enjoy the extra. 

Flamingo Park (19/08)
Race 8 – TAKATUL (7)
Jockey: Ryan MUNGER – Trainer: Stephanie MILLER

TAKATUL has recorded three solid runs in a row, winning his latest over seven furlongs. He set the pace that day and may prove difficult to overhaul in the closing stages of this six-furlong contest.

Turffontein Standside (20/08)
Race 2 – BOSS BABE (2)
Jockey: Raymond DANIELSON – Trainer: Candice DAWSON

BOSS BABES’ only win so far came over this c&d. She ran on strongly in her last start over slightly further distance and was unlucky in her penultimate outing where she had to be switched at a vital stage. With Raymond Danielson retaining the ride, she looks to be the one to go for here.

Hollywoodbets Greyville (21/08)
Race 7 – EVERDENE (3)
Jockey: Gareth WRIGHT – Trainer: Willem A NEL

EVERDENE finished strongly to just get up to win her last start over this distance. That was her first start on the Polytrack in PE and if able to repeat the effort here, she could be the one that they all have to beat.

Vaal Classic (22/08)
Race 7 – DESTINYS GAME (1)
Jockey: Warren KENNEDY – Trainer: Paul PETER


DESTINYS GAME ran on strongly to win impressively over nine furlongs last time out and will be looking to repeat that effort here. She does represent the red-hot combination of Paul Peter/Warren Kennedy.