Ways and means to leave Greyville loaded ...by Leon Setaro

Ways and means to leave Greyville loaded

A double shot of racing this week with the big one tonight at Greyville and then straight onto Clairwood tomorrow afternoon for bread ‘n rama fare. Looking beyond to the weekend and only one meeting, a dismal offering on Sunday again at Clairwood. Then it's onto an empty week preceding the Greyville 1900 (22nd May) Friday night, one of the traditional pointers to the July handicap. After that we're straight into group1 territory at Scottsville on Sunday (30May) for their annual sprint-fest so the time is now to build up the betting balance with a bang-win on Guineas night.



Wiseman Mngadi takes pen. readings at Greyville
this afternoon

I took a quick trip out to Greyville earlier this afternoon to have a look at the track and immediately noticeable is the glaring difference between inside and outside strips (see pics) down the home straight. The last few meetings here have been in the wet and because the outside half of the track is slightly elevated, this has been the pathway of choice for race riders looking for the high ground. Consequently it's been chewed up to a mismatch patchwork of uneven turf cover over exposed sand. The inside in contrast, is a luscious green carpet almost flawless in consistency but the ground does have more 'give' in it here and may well end up equally minced should any runners venture that way.



Today - Greyville outside strip


Today - Greyville inside strip

Whatever goes down tonight we’re left with the last race to let loose and leave Greyville with pockets loaded. The name’s Light, Leading Light and she’s set to double-0-1 her way to the winner’s enclosure no matter what the turf conditions. This is a filly of large and dynamic proportions and right from her outstanding maiden victory she has given the impression that something special lurketh in the wings. A racehorse of this size and stature needs time to mature and her performances as a 3 year old barely scratched the surface of her potential. This season she is primed to bring her A-game to the fore and can be followed right through to group1 level. The field she meets here tonight although competitive, is unlikely to throw out anything good enough to beat her and this promises to be one of those ‘lucky opening’ moments in racing where the winner looks clear cut at a value price.



And there shall be a great star in the sky
as thy Leading Light!

Prior to the postponement there was a full claim on Leading Light at 7/1 and since the betting re-opened yesterday, the bookies took full advantage and priced her up at 5s. All things considered this still represents value and although there are all sorts of ankle-biter threats to capitalize should she falter, there’s no reason to expect the worst. From pole position Leading Light must get out to the front (or thereabouts) and avoid the door being shut in her face at the first turn, then she’s in with a fair chance and no excuses if the unthinkable does occur.

Race 5
No.4 Hard Talk looks next best on the card and decent value at 28/10 after the scratching. His last run was over the course and distance in similar poor turf conditions and he put in the kind of run that will be very hard to beat, even for this considerably stronger field.

Race 6
In the fillies Guineas Laff’s ‘Goat’ gets to benchmark her ability against the Cape’s two finest 3year-old fillies in Mother Russia and Sparkling Gem. Racing on Sunday would’ve played right into her hooves when the track was ultra heavy, now with the postponement and 2 days of full sun a lot of the water has lifted and diminished her advantage. Having said that, she should still find her way into the first 3 at a reasonable price unless the visitors are just too strong.

Race 8
No.1 Big City Life is 16/10 and at this level surely ‘lay’ material given the odds. There is serious talent in this race and Big City Life does not hold exclusivity on improvement still to come. It’s far too early to write off Lord London or Target Acquired based on their last runs, and Polished Steel did beat them all!

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Thought for the day - ‘The ‘rush of winning’ is the foundation on which the game of horse racing perches, from breadline gambler with his grubby coins, to the bum-basin-owning-super-rich who fork out millions to slap their title on thoroughbred horseflesh.. for the rush.



ABC wish to thank Leon and Interbet for the continued support

Cheers Leon, will change channels now!

On Her Toe's, well done again Barry and team.

Great run from that draw. I was on Consensual. Very happy with her run too. Well done BI, Mike Azzie and team and Gavin Lerena.

Seems you didnt need the redraw.

When your Hot your Hot check the home page!

Old picture, but what the Hell!

Very good win, well done Team V

Craig you were right about Maritime Mist.. finest congrats on the win! Guess that means the beer is on me!

Thanks.

As one of my racing partners says at a time like this, "Well, that didn't suck!"

Leading Light stone last .
Next best Hard Talk nowhere

'Lay material'(lol) Big City Life comes home lonely

The only way Setaro left Greyville 'loaded' was if he drank a bottle of JWB.

Great win Team V!!!!!!!

what i can say DrW, i can stop anything! ..and yes i did leave Greyville loaded, loaded with all my money!

Leon keep up the good work, some of us do appreciate your columns bud.