South Africa Horse Racing Previews: SCOTTSVILLE@2023.08.20
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 12:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Mostly first timers so best to keep an eye on the betting. Of those that have run, FUTURE FLO (6) took on a strong field in feature company last run for Michael Roberts after showing up well in his two previous starts. The opposition looks a little weaker here. LAST ONE STANDING (5) nearly caused a major boil-over for Glen Kotzen when going close over course and distance on debut. If he can improve on that he must have a strong chance. At the other end of the barrier, Sean Tarry saddles VAN MEIJEL (16) that was a beaten odds-on favourite at only his second start. He was drawn wide in his first start around a turn and can make amends. S’Manga Khumalo stays with GORGEOUS GUY (15) for Wendy Whitehead after two promising efforts over course and distance and should feature again.
Selections:
#6 FUTURE FLO, #5 LAST ONE STANDING, #16 VAN MEIJEL, #15 GORGEOUS GUY
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 13:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Wendy Whitehead’s filly MINOGUE (2) made a smart debut at long odds over course and distance. She should come on from that effort and has a strong chance in what is a competitive maiden with many lightly raced runners. CUE THE REBEL (9) has shown up well in her two starts for Sean Tarry. She drifted a touch in the betting when making her Scottsville debut and can improve on that effort. AN AIR OF PRIDE (7) showed good improvement second time out. The Kannemeyer stable has been a little quiet of late but An Air Of Pride should make further progress. MISS ARLBERG (3) found market support at her second start and is likely to show further improvement.
Selections:
#2 MINOGUE, #9 CUE THE REBEL, #7 AN AIR OF PRIDE, #3 MISS ARLBERG
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R100,000, 13:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Mike Miller has a strong hand here but it could pay to be with stable rider Tristan Godden who partners ANCIENT WORLD (4) who made good improvement at his second start and was running on strongly. The extra ground should suit. Stable companion BILLY OF TEA (6) enjoyed the extra last run when narrowly beaten and is also lightly raced. IMAGUNABLE (14) ran well below form when favourite last time out and if Alyson’s Wright’s charge runs up to his previous form, he will be a strong contender. SEEKING THE SKY (1) races in first time blinkers and was not far back on this course last timeout.
Selections:
#4 ANCIENT WORLD, #6 BILLY OF TEA, #14 IMAGINABLE, #1 SEEKING THE SKY
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R100,000, 14:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: GRANDI ORECCHIE (7) has been in grand form for Gareth van Zyl and can make it a hat-trick of wins. Her last two successes have been on the poly but she has also won on the turf. She took a five-point ride in the handicap for her last effort but Van Zyl has booked useful 4kg claimer Trent Mayhew for the ride. AQUAE SULIS (10) is knocking on the door for her seventh win and did improve when three lengths back to Grandi Orecchie when last they met. They meet on the same weight terms given the former’s weight allowance but the switch to the turf could see the tables turned. SEA GODDESS (4) was a close-up second at long odds last run and the stable is starting to turn. MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL (5) has been confined to the poly at recent outings but is effective on the turf. She’s not out of it.
Selections:
#7 GRANDI ORECCHIE, #10 AQUAE SULIS, #4 SEA GODDESS, #5 MIDNIGHT CRYSTAL
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 14:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky. CAPTAIN CASEY (1) is effective over this trip and well in at the weights. He has been racing in feature company and Tony Rivalland’s charge should make a bold bid. SUN BLUSHED (8) has his third run after a break for Michael Roberts and with Rachel Venniker’s allowance he looks well primed for this race. LET THE FLAG FLY (10) has been running in feature company for Tienie Prinsloo and comes into the race with a handy galloping weight. MUSIC IS LIFE (2) has useful recent form to weaker but only has 50kg to shoulder which can make him dangerous.
Selections:
#1 CAPTAIN CASEY, #8 SUN BLUSHED, #10 LET THE FLAG FLY, #2 MUSIC IS LIFE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 15:20GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Open handicap. PRINCESS ARLOWE (6) got a hefty rating after shedding her maiden at just her third start and Glen Kotzen’s filly takes on some seasoned campaigners. However, she won readily with first time blinkers and should have more to come. FLYING THE STAR (9) was narrowly beaten last time out and goes well over course and distance. She has her first outing for Michael Roberts and with Rachel Venniker riding at her absolute minimum weight the inference is obvious. Kom Naidoo sends out a couple of runners, HEREINAFTER (3) possibly the pick. She is seldom far back and was caught late by the speedy Red Roses Too last time out. DIVINE MOONLIGHT (1) was well fancied in the market that day and only finished a head in front but she did have the benefit of Venniker’s claim.
Selections:
#6 PRINCESS ARLOWE, #9 FLYING THE STAR, #3 HEREINAFTER, #1 DIVINE MOONLIGHT
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R100,000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: LUCKY MISS (7) has been something of a frustration for Duncan Howells, finishing second rather than first on a number of occasions, but he appears to have found the right race and can add to her winning tally. WOODLAND RETREAT (3) has been battling the handicappers given her lofty rating but that have slowly been giving in and the filly takes a further drop in the ratings. The trip should suit and she rates a strong chance. NATIONAL STAR (8) has been close-up at her last two and made a smart local debut for Sean Tarry. The trip suits and she will be in the firing line. Louis Goosen steps ACACIA’S BLOSSOM (6) up to what could be a more suitable trip and she has not been far back at recent outings. Not one to leave out of any calculations.
Selections:
#7 LUCKY MISS, #3 WOODLAND RETREAT, #8 NATIONAL STAR, #6 ACACIA’S BLOSSOM
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 20.08.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R100,000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: CAPTAIN WHO (4) has shown improved form since being tried in blinkers. He has been taking on stronger in those races and has taken a further drop in the ratings. Louis Goosen has booked leading rider Calvin Habib and with a drop in class the gelding should be a strong contender. JUSTFORTHEEPENNY (1) is never far off them but tends to miss the break. This could be his last show over the course and distance where he won first time out some six season’s back. Goosen has a second string to his bow in RODRIQUEZ (12) who was touched off over course and distance last time out. He has a wide draw to contend with but given the recent death of his popular namesake, he will be a sentimental punt for many. PONGOLA (2) is now finding form and from a good draw should be competitive.
Selections:
#4 CAPTAIN WHO, #1 JUSTFORTHEEPENNY, #12 RODRIGUEZ, #2 PONGOLA
Best Win: #7 LUCKY MISS
Best Value Bet: #4 CAPTAIN WHO
Best Longshot: #9 FLYING THE STAR
