What at first looked to be a lowly maiden plate at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, turned into a cracker of a race that had tongues wagging and superlatives flying. The winner that afternoon, Sovereign State, will be put to the test when he steps out on the poly at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Wednesday.
On a sweltering summer’s day in the death throes of winter, Frank Robinson’s season got a lot brighter as Sovereign State won impressively first crack out of the box. Judged by the betting this was a ‘hot’ maiden and the lead changed several times over the final furlong.
First it was the well supported King Of The Gauls who looked home, but then he was tackled by Beamonesque who then looked a likely winner. However, the highly rated Star Performer was making steady headway up the inside rail and headed both. Then Robert Khathi switched out from behind a wall of horses and Sovereign State accelerated like Max Verstappen in a Red Bull and blew them all away.
Robinson steps Sovereign State up to a mile but given the manner in which he finished off his race he could prove difficult to beat. Stable companion Mexican Pete found strong market support on debut and duly obliged in what, in contrast, was a modest maiden field. However, Robinson did intimate that his charge was looking for further and the question is which of his two runners is the more fancied?
But it’s no two-horse race. Robbie Hill saddled two winners last Wednesday and Canford Ice was a runaway winner of his maiden. That form has held up quite well and from the best of the draw he should keep the two Robinson runners honest.
In the card opener there are many runners taking to the poly for the first time including Sean Tarry’s filly Princess Azariah. She drifted in the betting last run on the Scottsville turf but was not far back. She stays the trip and the switch of surfaces could help. Visiting Fanie Bronkhorst saddles Mount Eta who has been consistent over shorter and can make the required improvement over the extended trip on the poly. Doctor’s Orders showed up well when making her poly debut for Wayne Badenhorst over ground and Muzi Yeni stays with the ride.
Kom Naidoo had a welcome winner last Wednesday and he sends out Secret Winx in the third. She made marked improvement when making her poly debut and the stable has always thought well of this filly. Weiho Marwing has applied for stables and a Summerveld satellite yard and he saddles Regina Bellissima who is well tried but improved in blinkers last time out and the switch to the poly could see further improvement.
Bronkhorst can pay his travel costs with Empress Game in the fourth although she takes on males. She was a beaten odds-on chance last time out after two close-up efforts prior to that. The poly should suit and she can make amends. Victor Rail goes well on the poly and has been knocking on the door for some time now for Alyson Wright. He has only missed a cheque once in seven outings. Potent Captain has not yet lived up to his name but was not far back last run after Stuart Ferrie tried him over further. He is back to a sprint with first time blinkers.
Ferrie has a lively runner in Preemptive Strike in the next. The gelding takes a slight drop in class and was far from disgraced last time out. Prior to that in similar company to what he meets today, he went down a short head over course and distance. A repeat should see him close. Gimme A Rainbow is a seasoned galloper for Carl Hewitson and seldom runs a poor race. He switches to the poly which could bring out the best in him while Intrepid tried further in soft ground last start and although not far back the run is possible best ignored. He has done well on the poly and this shorter trip will suit.
The grey Valdemort has his first outing for Wright after winning for Vaughan Marshall over course and distance last time out. He has the best of the draw in the sixth and a change of routine could see him make a winning debut for the yard. Parmenion came in for strong market support last run over course and distance where he finished a close-up fourth. He is 2.5kg better off at the weights with second-placed Count Marsh so should be able to turn the tables. Straight Up has been a soldier for Duncan Howells and a drop in class and trip could see him home in a competitive handicap.
The last two races on the card are a major puzzle. Yogas Govender saddles Gimme A Lullaby who has improved in blinkers and goes well on the poly. She only has 52kg to shoulder with red-hot rider Muzi Yeni aboard. Dennis Bosch could have the answer in Poursomesugaronme. She has been consistent in recent outings and the extra furlong with Richard Fourie aboard could see her home. Blush Of Dawn showed good pace last start after winning on the poly at her penultimate start. The form of that race has worked out quite well with third-placed Fort J’Adore winning next time out. There should be little between the two again. Star Choice has the worst of the draw and caused a major boil-over when winning at long odds last time out. The stable is in form and she had a few of the opposition behind her.
The last is a wide open handicap where five of the runners finished within a length of each other when last they met. Heading the five is Shell Seeker and Mark Dixon’s mare must surely be due a change of fortune. She was run out of it late at her last two starts and the step up in trip may be what she is looking for. Craig Zackey stays with the ride which is a bonus. Mountainsofthemoon comes from the in-form Hill yard and although a recent maiden winner she got a hefty handicap rating. The step up over a furlong further should be in her favour and she could well prove too classy for her opposition.
