Tony Rivalland has always rated Coin Spinner as a top sprinter and the gelding gets a chance to show his worth in the Online Formguide Sprint Handicap that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday.
The stable appears to have turned the tables at recent outings which is always a good sign and Coin Spinner has made steady progress at recent starts and should be primed for this. Rivalland has taken a gamble by engaging apprentice James Lihaba for the ride but he is a seasoned rider from the bush racing ranks and Coin Spinner, with his 4kg claim, could prove difficult to beat.
But he will not have it easy.
Kom Naidoo is slowly working his way back from a debilitating illness and the highly strung but talented Faustino is back in his care. The gelding is way better than his last effort when taking on much stronger but he loves this course and distance. Jabu Jacobs, making his way back from a stint in Cape Town, has the ride. Mike Miller sends out Rulership who was far from disgraced when a couple of lengths off Pray For Rain in a Greyville feature where he had the widest draw. He was five lengths clear of Faustino over course and distance when last they met so you take Faustino’s expected improvement on trust.
Of the balance, veteran galloper Ishnana is over his favourite course and distance and can add to his already impressive tally of ten victories with 4kg claiming apprentice Trent Mayhew aboard.
Rivalland had Captain Casey penciled in for a race on Sunday but was given stipes permission to scratch in favour of the seventh which could prove significant. The stable appears to have turned the corner of late and Captain Casey has not been far back in feature company at recent outings. Rivalland appears to have made the right decision and Captain Casey could well prove a little too classy for the opposition and a possible exotic bet banker.
The card opener is a difficult maiden. Naidoo saddles Dame Mazona that has made steady improvement since making her debut three runs back but she does face opposition from visiting Lady Lennox and Weiho Marwing’s two first timers Ocean Palace with Gavin Lerena possibly a significant booking with Kaiden Brewer, recently out of his time as an apprentice, on Meldiva Gold.
Add to that trio, Sean Tarry’s pair of Lady Greensleeves and Freedom Square and you have a punter’s nightmare. Keep an eye on the betting here.
Alec Laird and Brewer appear to have stuck up a good relationship and they team up with Birthright in the second. The colt made a smart debut at The Vaal at long odds but has the best of the draw and the extra furlong should suit. Palace Revolt was a well-beaten third last run but that was in feature company and that form has been franked. He should make a strong showing.
But again, the race is wide open. Dynalley was run out of it late last time out and the extra furlong and a longer run-in will suit while the first-time blinkered Andy Coogle must also be considered.
The third is something of a guessing game but Tickalox was game when touched off late last time out and is relatively lightly raced but the betting could prove to be your best guide.
Races over ground are generally a minefield at this time of the year but Cyber Time looks to be coming on the right way for Louis Goosen and should come on from his last effort over shorter. Averni King stays the trip well and takes a drop in class while Twice Golden is over his best course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up, could be the horse to follow.
In the sixth, Sean Tarry sends out the consistent Tiz Magic that has dropped four points in the handicap that should at least see her competitive again.
The last is another difficult handicap but Mr Pigalle showed signs of his best form when touched off over course and distance last run. He does seem to have improved in blinkers but Peter Muscutt has left them off which may be of concern!
New Mexico is a lightly raced four-year-old for Laird who was a narrow winner of his maiden over shorter last time out. He is bred to go a lot further than this trip. He has a difficult draw to contend with but he has been making steady improvement and could well follow up.
