Derby’s and Oaks are traditionally restricted to three-year-old colts (and geldings in this country) and fillies respectively. With a dearth of horses in this age group that are bred to stay or do stay, fields for these restricted races melted down to a point that Graded status was reduced and eventually opened to all ages.
Strictly speaking, Saturday’s Tote Derby and Tote Oaks at Hollywoodbets Scottsville are misnomers but still retain Gr3 status and have attracted competitive fields that have traditionalist grinding their teeth, still add up to competitive racing.
Given all the withdrawals from the Hollywoodbets Durban July on Monday, Future Swing has made it into 18th place on the official July log and will be hoping to cement his place in the line-up with a win in the Gr3 Tote Bets Derby at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday.
Justin Snaith gelding was a close-up second to the lightly weighted Field Marshal in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup last time out and is now 5.5kg better off at the weights so should be able to turn the tables.
However, Glen Kotzen’s runner Holding Thumbs has stood his ground for a July berth and is currently on the periphery. A win come Saturday could see him leap-frog Future Swing into 18th place on the log so there is still a lot to play for.
Holding Thumbs is 2.5kg better off with Future Swing on their Field Marshall encounter and stays the distance well so looks the part.
Cape Eagle has been a soldier for the Andre Nel yard and goes well over course and distance. He had no luck in running in the WSB 1900 but is seldom out of the money and this race is right up his alley. Field Marshal looks well held at the weights considering his Woolavington performance but is an improving three-year-old and Frank Robinson’s charge can still give a lot of cheek.
In the Tote Oaks, Candice Dawson’s filly My Soul Mate stays well and was runner-up in a strong Woolavington 2000 field and will be a big runner. However, Sean Tarry, who boast a phenomenal feature race record at this course, saddles World Of Alice who was narrowly beaten in the Gr2 SA Oaks by star filly Fiery Pegasus. She was a little disappointing last time out but rates a strong chance in this line-up. Dean Kannemeyer steps out Give Me Everything who goes this trip for the first time. She looks held by My Soul Mate on their last meeting but can turn the table as she steps up in trip. One can never discount a Justin Snaith entry and Knockout has not been far back at recent outings. She steps up in trip and cannot safely be left out of any exotic bet calculations.
In the first race on the eight race programme Celestial Diamond was friendless in the market on debut but finished close-up in spite of racing green over course and distance. Duncan Howells is always patient with his two-year-olds but his one looks primed. Tulip Fields found good market support when making her debut over 1400m on the poly for Kannemeyer. She raced green and although down in trip and on the turf she has a strong chance. Water Hyacinth found market support last time out and was not far back. She can feature but a weather eye on the market could pay dividends.
Mike and Mathew de Kock, successful with Dave The King last Saturday, saddle Gotta Go Eddie in the second. The gelding has shown up well in both starts and was a fair second over course and distance on debut. Boardwalk Breez has not been far back in two starts for Paul Lafferty and should be all the better for the experience and Yeni stays with the ride. French War Lord raced green in a promising debut and is sure to improve on that effort.
It should pay to keep an eye on the first timers in the opening leg of the Pick 6 but of those that have run, That’ll Be The Day was narrowly beaten on this course at just his second outing and will be the horse to beat.
Light The Fire was green in a promising debut and should come on with the outing while the regally-bred Gimme Rules makes his debut and is a full brother to Gr1 performers. His performance will be watched with more than just passing interest. Next Of Kin comes from a top stable and will also be worth watching in the betting.
Star In Motion steps up in trip for Kannemeyer in the fourth but has been narrowly beaten at his last two on the poly. The extra should suit so he can go one better. World Of Royalty has put in two smart efforts over shorter in soft ground and was a beaten favourite last time out. This trip will suit and he should put in a big showing. Captainship started at long odds when going the trip for the first time from the widest draw at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He has Richard Fourie in the irons to help his chances. The Michael Roberts-trained Vencedor has come good of late and stays the trip well. He is another to consider.
In the fifth, Blue Holly is back over what looks to be her preferred trip. This is her third run in KZN and should be at her peak. Mia’s Athena was well regarded by her stable early in her career but has had her problems. This is her third run back after a lengthy break and she was close-up last start and has a light weight. She can give apprentice Savanna Valjalo her first winner. Convocation was possibly out-classed in the SA Fillies Sprint last time out after showing good form to weaker prior to that. She may prefer it a touch further while Vision To Achieve has been in mustard form over course and distance. She has a handy weight and can go in again.
The last is a competitive handicap but Rosh Kadesh is down in class and has shown up well in two KZN starts. He should be primed for this. Honor The King was not far back when starting favourite last run and the extra furlong will suit but he faces Serpentine Fire on 1.5kg worse terms for a length beating. There should be very little in it this time around with Serpentine Fire having the better draw which could swing it in his favour.
