South Africa Horse Racing Previews: SCOTTSVILLE@2023.05.22
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R105,000, 11:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: AFRICAN BEAT (3) has not missed a cheque in her five starts and has been a close-up second at her last two. There are a number of well-bred first timers in the race but Mike Miller’s charge could get it right this time around. JANE’S VISION (15) started a long odds on debut but caught the eye when staying on from a wide draw. Michael Roberts is never on to rush his two-year-olds and this filly should come on lengths from that effort. BOMBER GIRL (11) took on feature company in the soft last time out after two promising efforts. She should do much better here. MIA’S ATHENA (12) has started favourite in both starts. She took on males last time out and only weakened late. She can make amends. The betting should be a good guide.
Selections:
#3 AFRICAN BEAT, #2 PIECE BY PIECE, #1 MADAME POMPADOUR, #12 MIA’S ATHENA
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120,000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: ICY BLAST (1) is the only winner in the race and has come good in blinkers. Vaughan Marshall’s runner rates the one to beat. LET THE FLAG FLY (5) was never in the hunt against winners last start when trying further from a bad draw. He has shown up well on this course. GOOSEBUMPS (2) took on a competitive maiden field last start and was not far back. He meets weaker here. SPLENDID FELLA (6) has shown good pace and has not been far back. He gets a 4kg claimer up and is not out of it.
Selections:
#1 ICY BLAST, #5 LET THE FLAG FLY, #2 GOOSEBUMPS, #6 SPLENDID FELLA
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R120,000, 12:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: FINONACCI (5) arrived in KZN off some fair Cape form and started favourite in his local debut. He finished close-up in third but more was expected of him and he tries first time blinkers. NINTEY NINE HEROS (1) raced green in the soft when making his debut in feature company. Watch for solid improvement. NELSON BAY (12) has the widest draw to overcome but improved nicely over course and distance when touched off for third when taking on winners. Glen Kotzen holds a strong hand and has pitted two fillies against males in FORESHORE (7) who improved nicely second time out on this course and has a claiming apprentice up, and WINTER FROLIC (10) who raced green from a wide draw on debut and can make the required improvement with Keagan de Melo aboard. He also saddles ABERDEEN (14) who made a promising local debut but has a deep draw to contend with.
Selections:
#5 FIBONACCI, #1 NINETY NINE HEROS, #12 NELSON BAY, #10 WINTER FROLIC
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 13:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: POWER STAR (9) has made good improvement in blinkers and goes well this trip. He gets 1.5kg relief from the saddle courtesy of Rachel Venniker and that could be enough to see him out of the maidens. TRUSOVA (5) made a smart debut at long odds when taking on winners over course and distance. He does take on older runners but obviously has ability and is up against some modest opposition. FLAMING DRUM (4) was a beaten short-priced favourite last time out and looks well held by Power Star on that showing. But it was a below par performance and he can do better. PLAYER X (6) has not been far back in two starts and can improve enough to run into the money.
Selections:
#9 POWER STAR, #5 TRUSOVA, #4 FLAMING DRUM, #6 PLAYER X
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100,000, 14:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: MYTHICAL TUNE (4) is limited but is a hard knocker. She is in modest company here and can finally get it right although there are a number of possible improvers in the line-up. Two-year-old BOSNAY (6) made good improvement second timeout for Darryl Moore and THEAPPLEOFMYEYE (9) race green on debut but comes from a very much in form stable. ST CLOUD (1) has been lightly raced but did show marked improvement last time out. She is one to keep an eye on in the betting.
Selections:
#4 MYTHICAL TUNE, #6 BOSNAY, #9 THEAPPLEOFMYEYE, #1 ST CLOUD
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R105,000, 14:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Sean Tarry’s filly OCTOBER FAIR (3) comes off a comfortable Highveld win over the distance and Keagan de Melo stays with the ride which is a point in her favour. LUCKY MISS (2) is always game and was not far back in a tough sprint last time out, a distance short of her best. She will much prefer this trip and from a good draw must have a strong chance. ALPHABETTY (5) has a touch of class and was not far back against some useful opposition in the Cape. She goes well this trip but may just need the outing. FABULOUS (1) has not been far back on the poly at her last two but her two wins have come on the turf. She has a handy weight and will be a strong contender.
Selections:
#3 OCTOBER FAIR, #2 LUCKY MISS, #5 ALPHABETTY, #1 FABULOUS
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R100,000, 15:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Open handicap. AURORA STORM (1) has his third run after a break and should strip at his peak. He has shown up well in both starts since returning from the Cape and from a good draw he should have every chance. RADICCHIO (12) is a recent maiden winner but the form has worked out well. He enjoyed the extra of his last start and the extra furlong should be right up his alley. The striking grey PROFESSOR SNAPE (2) may just have needed his first local outing and although he looks held by Aurora Storm on that showing, he is likely to improve and can turn the tables. RELEASE ME (11) was the ham in the sandwich between Aurora Storm and Professor Snape and is another that comes strongly into the picture.
Selections:
#1 AURORA STORM, #12 RADICCHIO, #2 PROFESSOR SNAPE, #11 RELEASE ME
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105,000, 15:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Open race. MASTERBLING (8) was well supported in the market on debut and obliged with the minimum of fuss. He took on a strong field over two furlongs further second time out and was a close-up fourth. Back over a sprint with a light weight he should be competitive. GIMME A RAINBOW (3) did not have the best of luck in the running last timeout. Prior to that he was touched off over course and distance. RETURN TO RUSSIA (6) has not been out for nearly 12 months so his fitness will need to be taken on trust. However, he did contest a Gr1 at his second start. WINTER BARON (1) is down in class from his last run. He seldom runs a bad race and has the benefit of a claiming apprentice. PATRONAGE (4) seems best in blinkers, winning over course and distance two starts back. Watch for any late declarations.
Selections:
#8 MASTERBLING, #3 GIMME A RAINBOW, #6 RETURN TO RUSSIA, #1 WINTER BARON
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 22.05.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R105,000, 16:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: LA PURA VIDA (3) has been in good form over course and distance in this class. She gets a claiming apprentice up and should be in the firing line. DIAMOND GIRL (11) was not far back in feature company last start and her last win was on this course. She has a handy weight to help her chances. PELARGONIUM (2) got a six-point rise in the handicap after her last success over course and distance but she is in good form and has a good chance of following up. STING RAY (5) does seem better over shorter but has been in good form of late and has a money chance.
Selections:
#3 LA PURA VIDA, #11 DIAMOND GIRL, #2 PELARGONIUM, #5 STING RAY
Best Win: #1 ICY BLAST
Best Value Bet: #1 AURORA STORM
Best Longshot: #1 NINETY NINE HEROS
