Greyville, Wednesday, 30/03

Yesterday we were discussing the difference between a Merit Rated Divided Handicap as oppose to a Merit Rated Handicap. Once again, thanks to all the respondents. The reason for the question was in light of races 5 and 6 on this card.

R5, MR 90 Divided Handicap, Shimmering Brook (53.5kgs) (5/2) looks an absolute blinder. Marcus is on the stable companion and favourite, Team Guys. Shimmering Brook is a 4 year old and will receive 4.0 kgs from Team Guys (57.5kgs), and 2.0 kgs from the other three year olds, Monte Christo (55.5kgs) and Ole Gunnar (55.5kgs). I think if Marcus could have made the weight of 53.5 kgs, he would have opted for Shimmering Brook.

Had Shimmering Brook lined up in race 6, MR 76 Divided Handicap, he would have to carry top weight of 60.5kg and concede weight all round.

I think Shimmering Brook will be hard to beat.

I think the race will come down to who has travelled better between Ole gunner and Shimmering Brook. Monte Christo has about 6 lengths to find on ole Gunner through exectuctive power so I've got a line through that one. Too short for supercede. Marchant a bit of a lurker if bringing Cape form but not for me at that age. Can't imagine Team Guys is as good on grass with it running so little on it. Rest no hopers. I'll be waiting for comments but I worry that SB might need a run with it changing stables but I won't be putting money against you at the moment :lol:

The missing link wrote: I think the race will come down to who has travelled better between Ole gunner and Shimmering Brook. Monte Christo has about 6 lengths to find on ole Gunner through exectuctive power so I've got a line through that one. Too short for supercede. Marchant a bit of a lurker if bringing Cape form but not for me at that age. Can't imagine Team Guys is as good on grass with it running so little on it. Rest no hopers. I'll be waiting for comments but I worry that SB might need a run with it changing stables but I won't be putting money against you at the moment :lol:

Regards needing the run, in reality the horse is not returning from a rest (as such), it's just changed stables - if anything it should be racing fit having had two runs in Jan and one in Feb. He wasn't severely punished for the last run and that form has worked out okay. I do make Ole Gunnar the immediate danger to my fancy though.

Hoping he is still improving and that the two kilo swing will be the difference.

Could they not have staged the 2 Maidens 1st? not sure why both the Jackpot and Pic6 need to run into maidens

Ethylene,Scots party

Craig E... Could you possibly give a little insight as to why youngster Hewitson is now allowed to ride around the bend after he had to step down as he was not allowed to a week or 2 ago (sure it was Scottsville)... He also rode around the bend at Fairview yesterday.... Thanks in advance....

PS, hope you can keep him aboard your runners (when Alec can't ride for you), you have a little champ there

Bob Brogan wrote: Could they not have staged the 2 Maidens 1st? not sure why both the Jackpot and Pic6 need to run into maidens

Assume its because they don't want to jump from turf then to poly then back to turf, dont know why it'd be an issue, maybe logistically or for punters sanity :lol:

Karma, they have to be seen by the stipes in a few races in that region before being given the greenlight,it`s always been the case i think

If you read stipes you will see comments from stipes like "adequate ride"

PE stipes probably gave him their permission after riding a winner up the straight

Thanks Bob..... So obviously winning multiple times as a work rider holds no ground when a kid turns from work rider to appie.... Fair is fair I guess, and rules are rules.... Just found it strange.... Thanks for the clarification....

I think the fact the Mr Eudey and Tarry are booking Hewitson on single digit horses speaks volumes about his ability so glad he is riding round the turn now. Credit to the trainers for giving the lad the opportunity and think the claims on strategic pride and flyfirstclass put the horses right there.

Some very interesting racing tomorrow, Marcus and Delpech are always class but will have their work cut out. Yeni and De Melo are on fire, Sturgeon and Lerena have been really good of late, Ngwane is making a habit of winning on no hopers and Hewitson taking off 4kgs is gold. Makes for some really competitive and entertaining racing as far as Wednesday's go!

Think the jocks in Cape Town need to be visited by some of these guys and be given a wake up call, they've really been awful of late especially the stable jocks for the big stables down there, getting way too comfortable imo. Think the likes of May and v'd Hoven deserve more chances but that's a story for another day.

^only cape jockeys I feel comfortable backin on hot favs are bernard and g v niekerk.

what's your over all feel about this card guys ?

You should have some spare tom for it after that vaal card. Want to grow that for the weekend ideally. So lets hear some doubles!

Once new apprentices have had 5 qualifying(adequate) rides down the straight then they can go around the turn. His work rider races mean nothing here. Keep an eye on Dennis Schwarz. He is a very nice new rider.