After a short spell in the doldrums, something that nearly all stables endure on more than one occasion, Peter Muscutt has bounced back and he could provide for an exotic bet banker in the form of Plaza Accord in the second leg of the Pick 6 at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Starting an even money chance on debut, the gamble went astray as he was run out of it by Rainbow Reward over the Hollywoodbets Greyville short cut. He is down the straight on Sunday and with that experience and Richard Fourie doing the honours in the saddle he should be up to the task.
If there is a danger it could come in the form of the Stuart Ferrie-trained Potent Captain who raced very green on debut and can make the required improvement.
The card opener is a work rider’s race and they are not the easiest but Aron Xabendlini is more than competent and he rides Servilius for his retained stable, the gelding having improved since being tried in blinkers. Knight Warrior gives weight to all but is smart on his day and will be a threat along with Quest For The Best who has won five of his last six starts over this course and is creeping up the handicap.
Tony Rivalland sends out Greenlight Legend in the second, the filly having improved with each outing and was running on well on the poly last time out. She has drawn well and must have a strong chance. Louis Goosen will have been cursing the draw for his charge Arverni Princess but she has shown up well in two sprints and looks primed for this. Mountainsofthemoon was a beaten short-priced favourite last start but Robbie Hill has stepped her up to a trip she should enjoy given her pedigree. Porto Zante improved second time out but is another going the trip for the first time so is another to monitor in the market.
Justin Snaith has not had a great Champions Season campaign by his high standards but Rapidash can ease some of the pain in the opening leg of the Place Accumulator. He goes the mile for the first time but was a game winner over shorter last outing. He has drawn wide which is not ideal but he looks progressive. Professor Lupin is still a maiden but does show some promise. He ran a fair race on the poly last start but does appear to be more effective on the turf. Down By The River has come on nicely with each outing and was close-up in the soft last run while stable companion Bristol Hercules made a smart debut at lengthy odds and is sure to have come on with the experience.
Paul Gadsby holds a strong hand in the fourth with the two-year-old Full Of Magic and the year older Sea Of Tears. Both are in good form but the younger filly goes well over course and distance and could be the stable pick. Jane’s Vision has improved with each outing for Michael Roberts and was running on smartly over course and distance last outing. Sean Tarry’s filly Lady Greensleeves returns from a lengthy break after trying further and it’s a long road to come to have a crack at a maiden.
The sixth is a tricky maiden with many improvers in with chances. Muscutt sends out Thisiswhatitmeanstome who has been rested after starting favourite at his last two starts. The break may have done him the world of good and he gets another chance. Gorgeous Guy almost caused a major boil-over second time out over course and distance, just finding one better. A repeat should see him in the firing line. Master Josh has been trying further but has been runner-up at his last three. This will be his second run after a break and back to a sprint for Alyson Wright. It is best to ignore the last run by Gauteng visitor Quixote as his form prior was promising. Ninety Nine Hero’s raced green last outing but did show improvement. He could surprise in a tough race.
The seventh is a wide open handicap Open handicap. The Duncan Howells-trained Chelsea Blue is back on her favourite surface and can make amends for her disappointing last effort. Mike Miller saddles Palm Breeze who is way better than her last effort where she was compromised by a wide draw. She goes well this course and distance. Kileigh’s Fate is not the easiest at the gate but has improved in blinkers and she switches back to the turf. Cinnamon Blush was a cracking second last outing. She has not been far back since shedding her maiden and a repeat of her last start could see Wendy Whitehead in the winner’s circle. Fort J’adore, Blush Of Dawn and Tiz Magic are others to consider.
The eight is another wide open handicap Ancient Epic is in cracking form over the distance for Gareth van Zyl but there should be very little between her Sabatini, Our Emily and Sweet Symphony. Throw in Amarandi and it is little more than a guessing game.
Two-year-olds could dominate the final leg of the Pick 6. Captain’s Christy was a beaten favourite on the poly last time out. She was not far back in a Gr1 before that and could make amends for Mark Dixon. Paul Matchette has made KZN a happy hunting ground and saddles Mist In Scotland who won well on the Greyville poly last time out. She looks useful. Bright Star bids for a hattrick of wins for Nathan Kotzen. She has risen in the handicap but has made steady improvement and can follow up.
