William Robertson fluffed his lines when runner-up at Hollywoodbets Scottsville last month but he can get back on the winning trail when he lines up over 1200m in the Marula Sprint at the same venue on Sunday.
William Robertson has proved lethal on this track but as a result has garnered a hefty handicap rating and generally has to give weight to all and sundry.
Trainer Corne Spies has picked his charge’s battles carefully, mostly sticking to Pinnacle Stakes races where the gelding is generally well in at the weights. He was widely regarded as something of a ‘good thing’ last time out when well in but was found out as he ran out of runway in the 100m.
He was seemingly well out of his ground in the early exchanges but finished with a rattle, only to be run out of it by outsider Captain Bombshell to whom he was giving 6kg.
A little handier and 100m further should see him make amends.
Peter Muscutt’s runner Quasiforsure was game in defeat behind the progressive Cats Pajamas last run over 1400m but also goes well this course and distance and will be a threat along with Sun Blushed who has his third run after a lay-off and was on the heels of William Robertson when last they met.
Punters face a well-filled nine-race card but they are unlikely to have much joy in the first where they face a field of mostly unraced runners. Of the three that have run, Bell Of Angelus has run two good races on this course and must have a chance of going one better with that experience under her girth.
Good Living will have plenty of supporters in the first leg of the PA, third race on the programme. It is an Open Maiden so gives weight to most but should put in another bold effort. Touch Of Heaven may be a threat as she made marked improvement last run. She is lightly raced and should have more to come.
In the opening leg of the Pick 6, Princess Goldie was runner-up last run after flopping on the poly at her previous start but is still improving and may be worth another chance in a competitive contest. Jumpthegreenlight was well beaten last run but can improve on this straight course while Piere Strydom makes a rare visit and partners La Maddalena who has been trying a furlong further but not far behind.
The truth behind Strydom’s visit could come in the fifth where he partners Gareth van Zyl’s gelding Harun Al Rashid. The gelding makes his local debut and Strydom has been booked to ride no doubt at the request of his good friend Joa de Mata. Art Nouveau is way better than her last run and the step up in trip will suit even against males.
In the sixth, Ragnar The King was outpaced late last run over 1400m and the step up in trip can see him home. Green Mile is lightly raced but has been improving and should run well from a plum draw while Fern Hill made marked improvement last run and now tries blinkers.
The eighth is a wide open handicap but Lady Of Vix has placed in all three outings and looks capable of further improvement. Her last two have been in the soft. She finished behind Ayuwi Yuwi in her first run out of the maidens but the latter has shown up well in subsequent outings albeit with a 4kg claimer aboard. Littleblackgem, judged on jockey bookings, is the pick of Michael Roberts runners and she won her penultima start over this course but steps up an extra 100m.
There is no respite in the last but Twenty One May could fit the bill as he has been holding form over this trip and has a handy weight. Kalahari Roller is never far back and has a light weight while Apex Predator goes well this trip and also has a light weight. Connery’s winning streak came to an end last start but he can do better over this shorter trip.
