The straight course at Hollywoodbets Scottsville is not always straight forward with the down and up nature of the track often catching out runners not having experience on the course. With the Gr1 Gold Medallion and Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship scheduled for the first Saturday in June, trainers are planning ahead and it will be no surprise to see horses in Sunday’s Gr3 Tote Godolphin Barb Stakes and Gr3 Tote Strelitzia Stakes, both for two-year-olds, lining up in the big races in a month’s time.
Only seven runners are due to face the started in the Godolphin Barb but it promises a mouthwatering contest.
Michael Roberts saddles Fortress Of Fire who was allowed to start at generous odds on debut as the race proved no contest as the son of Fire Away cruised to an easy debut victory in good time. He looks more than useful and can follow up. But he is not without opposition. I’m A Fireball from the Mike and Mathew de Kock yard also impressed on debut finishing far too strongly for race favourite and more experienced Captain’s Pride. He obviously takes on stronger but looks progressive.
Add Military Command to the equation and you are faced with an open question. He has won two on the bounce for Peter Muscutt, both at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth that shares some similarities with Hollywoodbets Scottsville and Cape form is generally a little stronger than local form. That said, the race should add a few pieces to the Gold Medallion puzzle. Corne Spies has the only filly in the race. Elegantrix takes on males in preference to her own sex in the Strelitzia Stakes in what looks to be a warm-up for the Allan Robertson.
The Strelitzia Stakes should also give some indication of what can be expected in the Allan Robertson. Dean Kannemeyer looks to have a live contender in Keukenhof who strolled to a comfortable maiden win on debut clocking a useful time. “ I don’t know what she beat,” commented Kannemeyer after the race. “But all she could do was win,” he added. Keukenhof faces a lot stronger here but could well be something special. Wild Wild Green was a beaten favourite in the Cape Nursery last run and she also looks to be well above average with Justin Snaith saying that he has brought up his biggest and strongest string to KZN in many a year. Local hopes could rest with Quickstepgal who made the required improvement for Tienie Prinsloo when hacking up second time of asking. A repeat should see her in the firing line. Winter Belle is the only unraced filly in the race and makes the trip from the Highveld to make her debut in feature company against winners. Mike Azzie knows what it takes to win at Hollywoodbets Scottsville and Winter Belle could be a candidate for the Allan Robertson so may be worth following in the market.
There are four feature races on the day starting with the Listed In Full Flight Handicap.
Peter Muscutt saddles Isivivane who made a winning return to racing after a year’s lay-off, winning comfortably. He jumps in class but appears to be under the handicappers radar and with only 52kg to shoulder he should at least be competitive in a competitive handicap. The mare Fastnet Filly is lightly raced and has only been out of the money twice in ten outings for James Crawford. She beat the smart Green Sapphire two runs back and she also has a light weight in her favour. Kannemeyer has two serious runners. Outlaw King won the Cape Merchants last run but stable rider Craig Zackey partners Teflon Man who gave his supporters a few anxious moments before sewing up his race last time out. He still looked a little green that day so may be the pick. King Of The Gauls is way better than his Cape form suggests and back on home turf he could surprise.
The last feature is the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsetta Stakes where Andrew Fortune teams up with the Justin Snaith-trained Summer Lily. The daughter of Gimmethegreenlight has twice finished behind the smart Asiye Phambili and is now 6.5kg better off at the weights with her rival that should be more than enough to turn the tables. However, Asiye Phambili is back with Duncan Howells after a successful trip to the Cape. She shoulders a big weight but on her best form she could again prove a little too good for her younger rivals. Gimmie’s Countess has been costly to follow and was a beaten odds-on chance last run behind Green Sapphire when seemingly having it all in her favour. She was run out of it late that day and the drop in trip could better suit. Gareth van Zyl sends out Shipholia who started favourite against males last run finishing behind Teflon Man. However, she goes will on this course and can do better than her last effort.
