PREVIEW:GREYVILLE - 1 JULY 2012

Scratchings up to date as at 14h30 Saturday 30 June 2012.

RACE 1:Maiden Juvenile Plate 1400m Bend

Watch the betting on the first timer, LEHAAF (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech). WINTER PASSING showed great improvement last time when running on over a similar distance at Clairwood. Must go close on that run. MESMERIZE (Sean Tarry/Piere Strydom) has had two steady runs and his latest effort was two lengths better than his first. REASON TO RUN (Joey Ramsden/Sean Cormack) made a fair debut last time when starting at 75/1. Could improve. SNAPPY LAD (Gavin Van Zyl/Brandon Lerena) was running on late on debut last time over shorter. Could prefer the extra and will improve.

SELECTIONS: 1st - LEHAAF ** (4); 2nd - WINTER PASSING (9); 3rd - MESMERIZE (5); 4th - REASON TO RUN (6); 5th - SNAPPY LAD (8)

RACE 2:Maiden Plate 1400m Bend

CUCUMBER ALLEY (Michael Roberts/Donovan Dillon) has steady form. He does tend to fade but he could improve with the 2.5kg off his back and has a top apprentice aboard. Could cause an upset. STIMULANT (Sean Tarry/Piere Strydom) did not show in a feature race last time. That was a far more difficult nut to crack that this afternoon's affair and she could take a power of beating. CARRY ON CAPTAIN (Charles Laird/Anton Marcus) has yet to show in two starts but respect the trainer/jockey combination. MOUNTAIN THUNDER finished strongly in a workriders last time. Anthony Delpech has the ride. IRISH BLESSING has had two decent runs and is not out of it in this race and has every chance of earning a cheque.

SELECTIONS: 1st - CUCUMBER ALLEY * (5); 2nd - STIMULANT (12); 3rd - CARRY ON CAPTAIN (11); 4th - MOUNTAIN THUNDER (3); 5th - IRISH BLESSING (9)

RACE 3:Maiden Plate (F & M) 1600m Bend

OLIMPIC MADAM (Dennis Drier/Sean Cormack) is in good form and should be finding extra late. DARWIN CUP (Duncan Howells) has had two decent runs and was running on last time. Chance on that effort. Gauteng trainer, Joe Soma brings RUE DE RIVOLI to KZN. Muzi Yeni, who has been picking up winners in the last three days, countrywide, has the ride. Would not have come to Durban for the mild winters. SAFAA (Mike De Kock) lost two lengths at the start, raced green, but did run on late. Will improve. CRIMSON FIRE has steady form but could place only at best.

SELECTIONS: 1st - OLIMPIC MADAM * (2); 2nd - DARWIN CUP (10); 3rd - RUE DE RIVOLI (12); 4th - SAFAA (13); 5th - CRIMSON FIRE (1)

RACE 4:Maiden Plate 2000m Bend
 
SHEIKINA was just pipped three runs ago when trying this C & D for the first time. If repeating that run, he should be the one to beat. Best runs have been this track. SOUNDSGREATOME showed improvement last time when finishing fourth on Tuesday at Scottsville and is one to look out for. REGAL RACER (Kumaran Naidoo/Anton Marcus) has had a four month break and before that rest was never too far back. Chance if not needing the run. ODESSEY (Deon Visser/Bernard Fayd'Herbe) runs for the forty first time as a maiden! May improve with Fayd'Herbe aboard. GOOD IDEA could be improving. Muzi Yeni has the ride.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SHEIKINA * (12); 2nd - SOUNDSGREATOME (13); 3rd - REGAL RACER (4); 4th - ODESSEY (8); 5th - GOOD IDEA (5)

RACE 5:MR 84 Hcp (F & M) 2000m Bend

SUNNINGDALE loves this C & D and she does come back down in class after not having shown in a feature race last time. An apprentice claim of 4kg should help. ANTONIA FRASER (Duncan Howells/MJ Byleveld) did not show in the Scarlet Lady last time but has better previous form and could make the frame. Not a confident selection but must be considered on earlier form.ATAIR (Joey Ramsden/Sean Cormack) sets a good pace and she too did not show in a feature last time. Claims on penultimate run. SYDNEY'S GIRL has steady form. Donovan Dillon rides. Stable companion, WINTER MIST has finished twice this distance but has yet to race at this track. Bernard Fayd'Herbe rides.

SELECTIONS: 1st - SUNNINGDALE * (5); 2nd - ANTONIA FRASER (7); 3rd - ATAIR (3); 4th - SYDNEY'S GIRL (2); 5th - WINTER MIST (4)

RACE 6:MR 84 Hcp 2000m Bend

DAUNTLESS DELANCE (Michael Roberts/Brandon Lerena) takes a steep drop on class. Has good form against stronger. Usually runs on and is C & D suited. GUANTANAMERA (Jeff Freedman/Karis Teetan) won a small feature last time. Chance if finding extra late. Is well weighted. REGAL JOY (Dennis Drier) did not show over further last time. Is well suited to this C & D and will be running on strongly. Do not leave out. TOP OF THE CHOCS just failed to hold on last time. More to do. KINGS GOLD has only won over 1000m and did well to hold on for the win last time.

SELECTIONS: 1st - DAUNTLESS DELANCE * (1); 2nd - GUANTANAMERA (4); 3rd - REGAL JOY (9); 4th - TOP OF THE CHOCS (7); 5th - KINGS GOLD (5)

RACE 7:MR 70 Hcp (F & M) 1000m Bend

LAMORNA (Michael Roberts/Brandon Lerena) has good form and also takes a small drop in class. Has won this C & D and should be running on. RAVE MELODY (Jeff Freedman/Anthony Delpech) did not show against slightly stronger last time. Best runs have been at this track. EROTIC PULSE drops slightly in class and her maiden win came this C & D. Has fair post maiden form. DUSKADELL has fair form  and will have more to do. BLONDE AMBITION (Pat Lunn/Karis Teetan) has been racing against stronger. Needs to find more but can earn.

SELECTIONS: 1st - LAMORNA * (6); 2nd - RAVE MELODY (5); 3rd - EROTIC PULSE (9); 4th - DUSKADELL (4); 5th - BLONDE AMBITION (1)

RACE 8:KZN Breeders 1600 (Non-Black Type) (R1 Million) 1600m Bend

CHECCETTI (Mike De Kock/Anthony Delpech) has good feature race form and has run very well over the "mile". Looks to be the one to beat. BLACK WING (Brett Crawford/Karis Teetan) showed tremendous potential this time last year but failed dismally in last year's Durban July. He changed stables and has been relocated in Cape Town where he has been showing improvement. He has won four from six starts this track and is unbeaten this C & D (2 from 2) and should go very close on his latest two starts. THE MOUSEKETEER (Sean Tarry/Anton Marcus) has faced some good sorts and will come into this race having every chance. Was running on last time. Stable companion, BARACAH has Piere Strydom aboard. Has been running in feature races but is only a one-time winner. Could cause an upset. ENCHANTED KINGDOM could be improving. Kevin Shea has the ride for the Paul Peter yard.

SELECTIONS: 1st - CHECCETTI * (5); 2nd - BLACK WING (3); 3rd - THE MOUSEKETEER (1); 4th - BARACAH (11); 5th - ENCHANTED KINGDOM (8)

RACE 9:MR 71 Hcp (F & M) 1400m Bend

MYSTIC ROSE (Duncan Howells/MJ Byleveld) was running on over 1200m at Clairwood last time. Has yet to show over this afternoon's distance but has the form to win. DAME DUBOIS (Mike De Kock/Muzi Yeni) has good post maiden form. Tends to be slow away but does run on late. ZEMFIRA (Sean Tarry/Anthony Delpech) was interfered with in her post maiden last time. She still managed a close up fourth that day. Can make amends. AL NADIRA loves the distance but did not show this C & D last time when fading badly. Chance on previous form. KUSHONI LANGA (Glen Kotzen) has weak form but could be improving.

SELECTIONS: 1st - MYSTIC ROSE * (2); 2nd - DAME DUBOIS (6); 3rd - ZEMFIRA (7); 4th - AL NADIRA (4); 5th - KUSHONI LANGA (10)

BEST BET:        RACE 1 - NUMBER 4 LEHAAF (15/10)

VALUE BET:    RACE 5 - NUMBER 5 SUNNINGDALE (62/10)

BEST OUTSIDER:   RACE 2 NUMBER 5 CUCUMBER ALLEY (14/1)

PLACE ACCUMULATOR: RACES 3 - 9