In races where there are a number of first timers, it is always risky to label a particular runner as a top bet but all will have to get past Garth Puller’s colt Star Performer in the first at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. There was plenty of talk on course as Star Performer found strong market support on debut but there was one too good in Main Defender.
It was still a creditable performance and Puller rested his charge after that debut effort. But the lay-off should have done him good and he will be a hard horse to beat. Sugar Blast has his first run for Tienie Prinsloo and the gelding did improve at his last Turffontein outing after two modest efforts over further. This stable often produces long-priced placed runners. Ubisika 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 and is one to follow in the market.
A small but classy field lines up in the second. Ancient Epic 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 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. Mike Miller has three runners to saddle with stable rider Tristan Godden aboard Sabatini who 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.
The third is a tricky maiden but Michael Roberts may have the solution in Jane’s Vision. She is lightly raced and has good form over course and distance and can go one better. It’s a puzzle from here on. Kian’s Pride improved in blinkers when tried on the poly and had all of Ladies Day, Witchwood and What Now My Gal 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.
In the fourth, Freedom Square could be one of the better bets on the card. He is lightly raced and the combination of Sean Tarry and Richard 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 could prove to be the biggest threat to Freedom Square while Beach Landing 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.
Malcolm’s Dream 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 in the fifth. Fabulous 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 is seldom far off and due a change of fortune while Hugsandhighfives 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.
It’s seriously tough racing from here on. Sacred Lily does not have the best of the draw for Lola Crawford in the sixth but is at home over course and distance in a weak maiden. An added benefit is title-chasing Richard Fourie. Free Will is lightly raced but showed signs of life from a bad draw over course and distance last time out. This being her third run after a break could see make further improvement for Gary Rich. Princess Azariah has shown flashes of ability and does stay the trip while Three Little Birds disappointed last run after a much improved previous showing. She may be worth another chance.
Aurora Storm has the best of the draw in the eighth and goes well this course and distance. He got a four-point rise in the handicap for his second last run but that may not be enough to stop Peter Muscutt’s runner. Kichakal is back over his best course and distance and the Duncan Howells stable is finding form again. Ideal Act 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 is slightly down in class and Sean Tarry has stepped him up to a more suitable trip after a smart effort in a competitive sprint.
The last is a difficult handicap where two inexperienced apprentices could make use of their 4kg claim. Michael Roberts, with three runners in the race, has given Brevan Plaatjies a chance on Sea Vista who was touched off in this course 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 ridden in work rider races. He partners Gimme A Rainbow for Carl Hewitson, the gelding familiar with this course. Northern Warrior is both course and distance suited and goes well for this rider. Roberts has stable rider Rachel Venniker aboard L’Ultimo who has been trying further but could prove effective over this much shorter trip.
