Alyson Wright appears to have picked the right race for Seeking The Stars to get back into the winner’s circle when he lines up in a Pinnacle Stakes that heads the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
Formerly trainer by Vaughan Marshall but switched to the Wright stable after Marshall trekked back to Cape Town after Champions Season, Seeking The Stars has recently contested two Gr1 races where he did not finish far back. His last run was in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint where he finished three lengths back to Equus Sprinter of the Year Isivunguvungu. Prior to that he ran a cracker in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint with a big weight finishing just over three lengths back to top sprinter Gimme A Prince and a repeat of that effort should see him home. However, there are a number of in form rivals. Garth Puller Captain Bombshell has put in two useful efforts for his new stable, both at Hollywoodbets Greyville, and he is relatively well in at the weights. Beechamwood Boy is out at the weights but his last two wins have been over course and distance and he has taken a new lease on life for Wendy Whitehead. Pray For Rain has run to cracking races for Carl Hewitson since joining his stable but he was just holding on over shorter last time out and the extra furlong could find him out in this company.
There are many first timers so keep an eye on in the first but The Shepherd showed up well in a competitive maiden on debut and if he can build on that he will be difficult to beat. Richard Fourie rides for Peter Muscutt. Run To Rio was sent off at long odds last run for Stuart Ferrie but ran a cracker second time out over course and distance. Experience should count in his favour. Mo King showed some improvement when tried in blinkers over further on the Greyville poly and can finish closer for Dennis Bosch.
The second is a wide open handicap where one can make out a winning case for almost the entire field. However, Wayne Badenhorst saddles Princekresh who has been making steady improvement and went down narrowly over course and distance last run. Muzi Yeni, currently leading the national jockey log, has the ride. Michael Roberts has two live runners in Philispiel and Sea Vista, both winners last time out. Philispiel is over his favourite course and distance and could be the pick of the pair. Stanley Park made the required improvement when racing in first time blinkers and Puller has engaged useful 4kg claimer James Lihaba to nullify the four-point rise in the handicap.
The third is a tricky maiden but Dean Kannemeyer’s gelding Master Fuego caught the eye on debut went staying on strongly over a sprint. This trip should be more to his liking although he has a tricky draw. Kumemori made marked improvement when stretched to a mile on this course last time out. He was second best behind the strong favourite Aberdeen but should follow up with another good effort from another favourable draw. The combination of Muzi Yeni and Alyson Wright have been in good form and they team up with El Draque. He is a lightly raced four-year-old with fairly consistent form and the step up in trip could suit. Ubisika has a tough draw but was in need of his last run. He steps up in trip and could surprise.
Mike Miller looks to have a strangle hold in the fourth. Ninety Nine Heros was a close-up second to stable companion Ancient World over course and distance last time out, followed by stable companion Billy Of Tea. There shouldn’t be much between these two but Tienie Prinsloo sends out Sugar Blast who has some useful sprint form. He takes a big jump in trip but if he stays, he could upset. The balance are a pretty modest bunch.
Aquae Sulis comes from the in-form Duncan Howells yard and the mare has been up against stronger at recent outings. She goes well this course and distance and Howells has engaged 4kg claimer James Lihaba. A rating drop, a drop in class and a claim could see her home. Blazing Kiss has finished behind Reckless Love the last three times they have met. However, Gareth van Zyl’s filly has been creeping closer and with a 2kg turn around in the weights could finally put one over her rival. Reckless Love has come well for Wendy Whitehead but got a six-point rise in the handicap last start and the handicappers may now have caught up. African Beat has the best of the draw and only once out of the placings for Mike Miller. She should be right there again.
The sixth looks to be a straight fight between Bomber Girl and American Graffiti with Aisling also in the mix. Sean Tarry saddles American Graffiti whose last run was in the Gr2 Denutante Stakes. Prior to that she had finished ahead of Bomber Girl in the soft at Greyville. Tarry’s filly is in receipt of 2.5kg from her rival which could be enough to seal the deal. However, Kom Naidoo saddles Aisling who has been racing in strong feature company of late with little success. However, she takes a drop in class and an eight-point drop in the handicap which could see her home at lengthy odds.
Howells could have another double with Papa C who was touched off in a tight finish last run which was a major improvement on his previous effort. He stays well so the extra furlong will suit and the 4kg claimer stays aboard. Kashkaval could start at decent odds after taking on much stronger last time out from a tricky draw for Yogas Govender and was not far back. He takes a big drop in class from the best of the draw. Stable companion Bayview Express was a beaten favourite last run on the poly. He switches back to turf and S’Manga Khumalo stays aboard. Derryl Daniels puts up 1kg over weight on Winter Royale but he was right up there with Papa C last time out and has a strong chance.
