South Africa Horse Racing Previews: SCOTTSVILLE@2023.08.13
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 12:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary. Many first timers but they should all have to get past Garth Puller’s colt STAR PERFORMER (2) he found strong market support on debut but found one to good in Main Defender., He has been rested since but the lay-off should have done him good and he will be a hard horse to beat. SUGAR BLAST (1) has his first run for Tienie Prinsloo. The gelding did improve at his last Turffontein outing after two modest efforts over further. UBISIKA (8) has shown some promise and trainer Mike Miller says his charge has improved with gelding. Of the first timers, Tony Rivalland is bullish on the chances of KING OF THE GAULS (12) and is one to follow in the market.
Selections:
#2 STAR PERFORMER, #1 SUGAR BLAST, #8 UBISIKA, #12 KING OF THE GAULS
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R97,500, 13:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: ANCIENT EPIC (7) has been knocking on the door for some time now and Gareth van Zyl’s mare is due a change of fortune. However, she will have to get past Mark Dixon’s filly CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (6) who was touched off in a Gr1 at season’s end. Both of her wins have come on this course and she is in receipt of 3kg from the five-year-old Ancient Epic. Mike Miller has three runners to saddle with stable rider Tristan Godden aboard SABATINI (1) she was beaten a short head by Ancient Epic when last they met over course and distance. That run was back in April but she is now 3.5kg better off at the weights. RUSSIAN DOLL (3) is quick and although she may prove a better proposition in the poly, she cannot be written off lightly.
Selections:
#7 ANCIENT EPIC, #6 CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY, #1 SABATINI, #3 RUSSIAN DOLL
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 13:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky maiden but Michael Roberts may have the solution in JANE’S VISION (9) lightly raced, she has good form over course and distance and can go one better. It’s a puzzle from here on. KIAN’S Pride (11) improved in blinkers when tried on the poly and had all of LADIES DAY (8), WITCHWOOD (1) and WHAT NOW MY GAL (2) behind her. The biggest improver may be Witchwood who improved nicely second time out and with first time blinkers and a 4kg claimer up, looks primed. MAGGIE SMITH (4) returns from a lengthy break while Weiho Marwing’s filly ELECTRA GREEN (3) raced green on debut and with first time pacifiers can make the required improvement.
Selections:
#9 JANE’S VISION, #1 WITCHWOOD, #11 KIAN’S PRIDE, #2 WHAT NOW MY GAL
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 14:30GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: FREEDOM SQUARE (8) is lightly raced and the combination of Sean Tarry and Rochard Fourie were in deadly form last season. They can open their seasonal account here. Wendy Whitehead and Calvin Habib are also a useful combination and MADAME POMPADOUR (5) could prove to be the biggest threat to Freedom Square. BEACH LANDING (3) improved nicely second time out for Alyson Wright. The filly is lightly raced and does stay the trip well. She also has a plum gate. VALLI GIRL (4) is better than her last run on the poly. She has a money chance on her best showing.
Selections:
#8 FREEDOM SQUARE, #5 MADAME POMPADOUR, #3 BEACH LANDING, #4 VALLI GAL
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 15:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Wide open handicap. MALCOLM’S DREAM (1) has been confined to the poly of late but has never been far back. The drop in trip from a good gate can see Mark Dixon’s runner home. FABULOUS (2) had no luck in running when going a mile on this course last run. She is lightly raced and has good form over this trip on the turf. ALITTLEBITNAUGHTY (5) is seldom far off and due a change of fortune. HUGSANDHIGHFIVES (8) has shown her best form on the poly but Garth Puller has engaged Richard Fourie for the mount and the filly does take a two-point drop in the handicap.
Selections:
#1 MALCOLM’S DREAM, #2 FABULOUS, #5 ALITTLEBITNAUGHTY, #8 HUGSANDHIGHFIVES
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R100,000, 15:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tough maiden. SACRED LILY (12) does not have the best of the draw for Lola Crawford but is at home over course and distance in a weak maiden. An added benefit is title-chasing Richard Fourie. FREE WILL (1) is lightly raced but showed signs of life from a bad draw over course and distance last time out. She is lightly raced and this being her third run after a break could see make further improvement for Gary Rich. PRINCESS AZARIAH (4) has shown flashes of ability and does stay the trip. THREE LITTLE BIRDS (7) disappointed last run after a much improved previous showing. She may be worth another chance.
Selections:
#12 SACRED LILY, #1 FREE WILL, #4 PRINCESS AZARIAH, #7 THREE LITTLE BIRDS
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100,000, 16:13GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: AURORA SOTRM (1) has the best of the draw and goes well this course and distance. He got a four-point raise in the handicap for his second last run but that may not be enough to stop Peter Muscutt’s runner. KICHAKAL (7) is back over his best course and distance and the Howells stable if finding form again. IDEAL ACT (10) has the widest draw to contend with but was not far behind Kitchakal when last they met. Dean Kannemeyer teams up with his new stable rider Craig Zackey who will be keen to impress. WILLOW EXPRESS (6) is slightly down in class and Sean Tarry has stepped him yup to a more suitable trip after a smart effort in a competitive sprint.
Selections:
#1 AURORA STORM, #7 KITCHAKAL, #10 IDEAL ACT, #6 FATEFUL DAY
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 13.08.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Difficult handicap where two inexperienced apprentices could make use of their 4kg claim. Michael Roberts has given Brevan Plaatjies a chance on SEA VISTA (12) who was touched off in this curse last time out and has been in good form. He could go all the way. Apprentice Trent Mayhew had his first winner last Sunday but is more experienced having ridding in workrider races. He partners GIMME A RAINBOW (14) for Carl Hewitson, the gelding familiar with this course. NORTHERN WARRIOR (2) is both course and distance suited and goes well for this rider. Roberts has stable rider Rachel Venniker aboard L’ULTIMO (1) who has been trying further but could prove effective over this much shorter trip.
Selections:
#12 SEA VISTA, #14 GIMME A RAINBOW, #2 NORTHERN WARRIOR, #1 L’ULTIMO
Best Win: #2 STAR PERFORMER
Best Value Bet: #9 JANE’S VISION
Best Longshot: #1 MALCOLM’S DREAM
