From weeks of the ‘big wet’ to scorching heat about sums up January and February in KZN’s capital but racing could be kind to punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday with a few standout bets.
One of these should be William Robertson in the Marula Sprint that heads up the eight-race card. William Robertson is a top class sprinter looking for his fourth successive victory. Corne Spies was reluctant to travel him down to Cape Town for a one-off in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship and has been hunting easier pickings closer to home. The gelding is at home over course and distance and with regular pilot Gavin Lerena making the trip from the Highveld the inference is obvious.
There are no slouches among the opposition and the smart Pray For Rain is as game as they come and kept on under big pressure to hold the rejuvenated Ultra Magnus on this course over 1000m last time out. The extra furlong here Pray For Rain and not necessarily Ultra Magnus in spite of being 0.5kg better off. Garth Puller’s warrior Ishnana is as game as they come at nine-years-old and he loves this course and distance. He is hunting is 12th win and with only 52.5kg to shoulder he will pose a threat.
In the card opener, the Mike Miller-trained Fine One came unstuck when starting a short-priced favourite on debut but was running on stoutly in second. He made amends with a fluent victory next time out and has a strong chance on that showing. However, he meets Ibhele who beat him on debut and Louis Goosen’s yard is riding a hot streak. There should not be much between the two. Barend Botes has his first runner out of his new base at Summerveld and it could be a winning one as he saddles Quid Pro Quo. The filly came in for a ton of support on her Vaal debut but found one too good, touched off a short head. She faces a wave of runners from the Miller yard including Just Reckless who was touched off on debut and a comfortable winner next time out.
The second is a weak maiden where Apex Predator made a promising debut at long odds and meets a modest field. Any improvement should see him home but he has been rested and Garth Puller says he may need the run. Spies makes the trip from the Highveld with Vathomvlaffie who has shown some ability. Given the strength of this field Spies looks to have picked the right race. Heaven’s Will is coming to hand slowly. His last two runs have been in the soft and blinkers come off.
Vihaan’s Pride looks to be one of the better bets on the card and a possible Pick 6 banker. Garth Puller’s filly finished close-up to two well regarded fillies at her last two starts. She has placed in all three of her outings and rates the one to beat. Sweeter Than Honey has taken time to come to hand and was narrowly beaten last start and Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance will help and she is riding with confidence of late. Madame Pompadour has been costly to follow but she has ability and could finally get it right while Blue Horizon was well supported in the betting last outing but after leading was not able to hold the challenge from Off Limits and could battle here.
In the fourth, Send Me has only had two sprints to date but Tony Rivalland’s charge is bred for the mile and with Richard Fourie in the saddle he will get every chance. Spies saddles Rock Of Bismantova that boasts some fair Highveld form. He stays the trip well and Lerena partners the gelding. Tibbott Bourke has the widest draw to contend with but has improved in blinkers and has a definite winning chance.
Lillybelle in the fifth looks another fair bet having her third run after a break and is never far behind. This race looks ideal for Andre Nel’s mare and with a 1.5kg allowance she rates a strong winning chance. Bosnay has been something of a disappointment but the handicappers have been reluctant to drop Darryl Moore’s filly. At best she too rates a strong chance. Miss Gibson showed up well first run back from a break for Yogas Govender. She has not been out of the money in her last five starts and with pole position draw she must be considered along with Ballroom Bliss who has not been too far back on the Highveld and makes her local debut. She has a big weight but has a chance.
Harley Street could oblige at decent odds in the sixth as he caught the eye in his comeback run for Tony Rivalland behind stable companion Super Fast. This trip will suit and Richard Fourie has been booked. Alyson Wright has a strong hand including Master Josh who ran a cracker behind seasoned sprinter Ishnana last time out. This trip suits better and he can go close. Wright has three others in the race including Shampompo Shampizi who is never far back. He has been rested but goes well this course and distance and has a 2.5kg claimer aboard. Stable companion Ultra Quick also returns from a lay-off but is having his fourth run for the stable and is likely to improve.
An open handicap to rounds off the meeting. French Princess is Duncan Howells only runner on the day and she has been rested. She made good improvement when tried in blinkers and although not the easiest she should run well in this company. Inevitable shed her maiden last time out but earned a hefty merit rating. If she runs up to that she could be hard to beat in spite of her big weight. Maggie Smith has been holding form well and should be involved in the finish while Chelsea Flower is always game but was runner-up behind French Princess when last they met. She has since franked the French Princess form and is 0.5kg better off at the weights.
