Last season’s Equus Horse of the Year Dave The King makes his return to racing after a six-month break when he lines up in the Sir Theophilus St George A Stakes over 1500m that headlines the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
The race is a tricky affair with many warming up for the sharp end of Champions Season. Dave The King has been disappointing this season with two no-shows at Turffontein including the Charity Mile back in November last year. He has been rested since won over course and distance exactly a year ago before going on the garner his Equus accolades.
Horses often show their best form in yearly cycles and if that holds true then Dave The King will be difficult to best. Trained by Mike and Mathew de Kock one would expect Dave The King to be ready for this contest but his fitness must be taken on trust and a warm-up for another crack at the Gr1 Holllywoodbets Gold Challenge.
There are a number of runners warming up for the season, with the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Durban July in their sights but given that this 1500m should be on the short side for most of them it may prove prudent to side with a fit horse comfortable over the trip.
Garth Puller saddles African Skyline who finished a creditable sixth, beaten three lengths by Ziyasha in a strong field over 1000m last time out and he did find some support in the market for that race. The blinkers come off and he is back over a more favourable distance where he won three runs back. He is one to watch in the market.
Justin Snaith saddles Rapidash who may just have needed his last start in The Sledgehammer. He boasts some useful Cape form in strong company and gets first time blinkers which could prove significant.
Nathan Kotzen will be hunting the Hollywoodbets Durban July with Royal Victory who ran a cracking race in the Gr1 Champions Challenge at Turffontein, just failing to get to Fire Attack. This will be a warm-up to keep his engine ticking but he does have enough class to keep the opposition honest.
Pacaya showed signs in the Western Cape season that he is still capable at the top level and was just over a length behind stable companion Eight On Eighteen in the Gr1 WSB Cape Met. This race is an obvious warm-up so a better proposition for the exotics could be the Piet Botha-trained Baratheon. The six-year-old has pulled the widest gate but made a promising local debut when five lengths back to the more than useful Underworld. He should come on from that effort and is a definite runner for a place on the podium.
It’s a ten-race card with the PA starting off in the third where Tripping Thunder comes with some consistent Cape form. Glen Kotzen’s stable is in mustard form and Tripping Thunder should make a bold bid. Biggest threat could come from fellow Cape raider Victor Hugo. Lucinda Woodruff’s charge was a beaten favourite last run with first time blinkers. This shorter trip could suit. There are two well-bred first timers in Aristocratic and Light The Fire making their debuts against older horses but may be worth watching in the market.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Catch Penny from the Glen Kotzen yard has been a beaten favourite on a number of occasions but Cape form could be to the fore again. The blinkers come off but she goes well this trip. Michael Roberts sends out Miss Kanas who found some market support on debut and finished a close-up third on this course which is a benefit. Hazy Dazy started at long odds on debut over a furlong further but was not far off the winner. She must have a chance if she can improve on that effort. First timer Celestial Diamond is bred for speed and one to keep an eye on.
Snaith saddles Indigenous in the sixth who takes on older runners but was a good second from a wide draw last time out when starting favourite. He has a better draw here and can make amends. Older Green Mile is lightly raced but never far back. He bumped a good one in Dancing On A Cloud last run and can do better in this field. Ubermensch made marked improvement first time out for his new stable when moving to the Highveld. He can build on that effort.
In the seventh, Paul Lafferty could hold the key with Beach Palace who goes well on this course and was a close-up second behind Lake Como giving the winner 7.5kg. There is only 1.5kg this time around so the inference if obvious. L’Ultimo made a smart return last run after a lengthy break. His best form prior to that had been on the poly but a repeat of his last run can see him close again. Run To Rio is marginally better off at the weights with Beach Palace on their last meeting and does have the better draw.
The eighth is wide open. Plaza Accord was not far back when taking to the poly last run and has won over course and distance which is in his favour. Tyrconnell is 1.5kg better off with Plaza Accord on their last meeting and has a better draw this time around so can turn the tables. Famous Warrior took on stronger last run and was not far back. He has a handy weight and a favourable draw while Mr Hotstepper was eased out of the race last run on the old poly when favourite and that effort is best ignored. He shows plenty of promise. He is right up there with Plaza Accord and Tyrconnell and there should not be much between them.
The last is another tricky handicap. Mojo Man won well last time out beating Jet Legacy and is now 1.5kg worse off at the weights. However, this will be his third run after a break and he could confirm that form. Twenty One May meets the pair on exactly the same terms but he goes very well over course and distance and could have their measure in spite of the result of their last meeting. Abaddon is lightly raced and unbeaten since returning from a beak of over a year. He has a handy weight and could follow up. Rainbow Reward has been rested and has his first run for a new stable. He gets first time blinkers and could surprise.
