Carl Hewitson set to cash in on last-minute Greyville fixture

Trainers in KwaZulu-Natal have done a brilliant job in putting together a lively looking eight-race programme for an emergency meeting on the Greyville Polytrack on Friday.

The Durban meeting was conjured up in a matter of two days after cancellation of a scheduled one in Eastern Cape – following the ring-fencing of Covid-hit Fairview racecourse to visiting jockeys.

A couple of Highveld trainers – Clinton Binda and Weiho Marwing – also responded to the urgent appeal for entries at Greyville. Both yards will be floating down to the coast some in-form horses that must be looked at hard for possible inclusion in all bets.

Of the locals, Carl Hewitson and Megan Trott – Justin Snaith’s KZN assistant – might be the ones to profit most from the unexpected opportunity.

Perhaps Hewitson’s brightest prospect is Gimme A Rainbow in Race 2, an MR73 Handicap over 1200m. This four-year-old gelding is only a one-time winner from 17 starts but does appear to be maturing into a decent racehorse. He was a narrow runner-up in his last two starts – over 1000m – and looks tuned to the minute for this contest.

Binda’s Ramchandani Road is a threat, as is Dennis Bosch’s recent smart-looking winner Trafalgar Square, but Gimme A Rainbow could give punters a solid start to the day.

In the next race, a 1400m Maiden Plate for fillies, Hewitson saddles lightly weighted three-year-old Venturous for her third outing. She went like the clappers in her most recent effort, just running out of puff in the last strides of that 1400m journey.

Venturous will have to get the better of Dean Kannemeyer-trained Lady Yuvra, but, with apprentice rider Kaidan Brewer getting a 4kg allowance, the daughter of Visonaire might do it.

In Race 5, an MR71 Handicap over 1800m, Hewitson’s hope is A Whole New World (who’s isn’t?).

The four-year-old was second last time after running wide around the tricky Scottsville turn. His record suggests he prefers the Greyville Poly so is worth inclusion in computations.

Snaith’s Summerveld satellite yard is looking for a bit of momentum in the new season and Anton Marcus could be the catalyst. The master jockey partners Allaroundtheworld in Race 1 and Silver Stardust in Race 4 for the champion stable and both have compelling credentials.

SELECTIONS

Race 1:

5 Allaroundtheworld, 9 Mandala Effect, 6 Mama’s Boy, 7 Freedom Dancer

Race 2:

2 Gimme A Rainbow, 8 Ramchandani Road, 6 Trafalgar Square, 3 Bedazzled Joker

Race 3:

9 Venturous, 6 Lady Yusra, 3 Austen, 2 Unconditional Love

Race 4:

5 Silver Stardust, Purple Operator, 9 Bend The Rules, 7 Bourbon Beat

Race 5:

5 A Whole New World, 1 Knight Warrior, 9 You Deserve It, 4 Fists Of Fire

Race 6:

4 Straight Up, 1 Smart William, 7 Cane Lime ’N Soda, 2 Rainy Season

Race 7:

10 Umsinduzi, 1 Diamond Girl, 6 Opening Shower, 3 Comet Crystal

Race 8:

8 Master Of Destiny, 4 Gold Season, 6 Freedom Seeker, 9 Monarchy

Pick 6:

6,9 x 3,5,7,9 x 1,4,5,6,8,9 x 1,2,4,7 x 1,6,10 x 4,6,8 (R1728)

PA:

2,8 x 6,9 x 3,5 x 1,5,9 x 1,4 x 10 x 8 (R48)