Punters face a difficult card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville next Wednesday where the card is headed by a MR82 Handicap. The 1400m race has attracted a useful field but labelling a winner is not easy.
Vaughan Marshall’s runners have a good record on this course and he saddles Pineapple Express. The gelding has improved in blinkers at his first two starts in the province and he took on stronger opposition last time out. The trip suits and he has a competitive draw.
Dean Kannemeyer sends out Cheekie Laddie who is likely to be at the top of many punters’ list. He has been consistent over sprints but may now be looking for this extra furlong. Mike Miller sends out Gold Index who has improved in blinkers and was not too far back in feature company last time out won by stable companion Strawberry Bear. The form is solid and he looks the stable elect judged on jockey bookings. Stable companion Unsolved Riddle made major improvement with first time blinkers. He jumped from a tough draw that day and a repeat can see him home.
The first is mostly first timers and those that have run have not shown much. Best could be Champonelle who was not too far back on debut and experience could count. Going on trainer’s comments, Honshu and Plinian could prove the pick.
Miller should have a good chance with Baby Love in the second as she made good improvement at her second start going down narrowly. She has seen the course and should run a good race. Jane’s Vision has raced green in both starts and can still improve while Fairy Trip raced green on debut around the Greyville turn and can do better down the straight.
Third is an open maiden but Piece By Piece has shown up well in two sprints and the older contingent are not much to write home about. Mountainsofthemoon was not far off at long odds last start and with Keagan de Melo up one needs to take notice. Glen Kotzen saddles two. Porto Zante was not too far back on debut and is sure to improve while Querandi found some market support on debut but failed to show. She could surprise.
Paul Lafferty’s gelding Madison Blues is overdue and could be hard to beat in this field. Blinkers and the poly may have been his undoing last start. Back on turf sans blinkers should see him home. Safe Space has shown some ability but is lightly raced. He tries first time blinkers. Jury’s Out was a touch disappointing last run but all three starts have been in the soft. He goes this trip for the first time for Wayne Badenhorst. Triton is a long-time battler for Carl Hewitson but is seldom too far back. There is not much depth to this field and he has a strong money chance again.
The Peter Muscutt stable is in outstanding form of late with 11 winners last month. He sends out Valerias Dream who won well last time out. Muscutt has booked apprentice 1.5kg claimer Siphesihle Hlengwa to counter the three-point rise in the handicap. Veteran Maria Corolina ran well below par behind Valeria’s Dream when last they met but is back over her preferred course and distance. Alittlebitnaughty has put in two fair efforts since returning from the Cape. She is badly out at the handicap but does have bottom weight and on her day is capable of a surprise.
The last two handicaps are both wide open. In the seventh, Stanley Park is likely to start at long odds but he is over his best trip and has been consistent. His last run was on the poly and the switch back to turf should suit. Princekresh is a distance specialist and can give 4kg claimer James Lihaba his first winner. Gareth van Zyl has two strong runners in Rafa’s Boy and Quest For The Best. The former has the stable rider aboard but the latter has a claiming apprentice up. Both are in form. Super Fast was given a hefty handicap mark after his maiden win but he is effective over the trip and has Keagan de Melo aboard.
The last is no easy handicap Bless Me Fred was found out by a wide draw on the poly last run and he does seem best over shorter but was in cracking form prior to that. Mark Dixon has two strong contenders in The Gliding Fish and the filly Shell Seeker. The former may be the stable elect but the filly has been knocking at the door for some time now and a strong rider aboard could finally see her home for her second win. Auld Mug has improved in blinkers and the extra furlong could bring out the best in a tough race.
