Trainer Gavin van Zyl could mark his 60th birthday at Hollywoodbets Greyville today in style when he saddles six runners on the final major raceday of the season today.
A top jockey for 30 years who also earned his Bok colours, the Johannesburg born Van Zyl took out his trainer’s licence in 2007 and started with just four horses at Summerveld.
Birthday Boy Gavin van Zyl (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Alan Mellor and Errol Budlender were his first owners and they also appropriately owned Gavin’s first winner Laser Fan – who also became his first feature winner when scoring in the Flamboyant Stakes.
Gavin’s son Gareth saddles the smart Yessiricanboogie in the Gr2 Debutante in the opening leg of the projected R1,8 million Place Accumulator today.
With so many of our features under threat or already having been downgraded, it’s good to note that the R300 000 Debutante has been elevated to Gr2 status. The quality of the past winner roll is testimony to a platform for future achievement.
The form is sketchy, so it is best that caution is exercised.
The Sporting Post top-rated is the promising Time Thief filly Yessiricanboogie, a runaway winner on debut and a subsequent decent fourth in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. Rested nine weeks she comes in with a wide draw to beat.
Yessiricnboogie – big runner if she can beat draw (Pic – Candiese Marnewick)
Sean Tarry’s two-time winner Montreal Mist is a promising daughter of Soft Falling Rain with track experience and fair form to match. She is well drawn.
There is not much to choose between her and the Michael Roberts runner Hey Delilah on their last meeting on the polytrack. Hey Delilah is 2kgs better off for a two length beating.
The Hollywood Syndicate runner Purple Persuasion is drawn in pole position and must have a chance back against her own sex after being beaten just over 6 lengths by African Warrior in the KZN Yearling Sale Million last time out.
Glen Kotzen – hat trick bid
A small filly, Spiritofthegroove won on debut and then followed that with a good effort on the polytrack. She has a place chance.
Maidens Prayer was runner-up to Cockney Pride on debut and given the Spies runner’s subsequent Gr2 Golden Slipper victory, she could be worth including.
Glen Kotzen bids for a hat-trick of victories in the race and he saddles the well-related Var maiden Point Of Sale. With two seconds from two runs, she must have a place chance.
Mary O was an eyecatching course and distance debut winner and if Mark Khan can overcome her wide draw, she must have a chance at best in an open race.
A trick race to start the R1,5 million Place Accumulator!
