Hollywoodbets Scottsville stages its renowned Festival of Speed on Saturday, featuring four elite 1200m contests that rank among the highlights of the South African racing season. Although the Allan Robertson Championship and Golden Horse Sprint are now Grade 2 events, the quality remains exceptional.
The Gr1 SA Fillies Sprint appears the headline act, with star mares Double Grand Slam and Asiye Phambili renewing their rivalry. Both have unfinished business in this race. Double Grand Slam endured traffic issues when beaten just over a length into sixth last year, while Asiye Phambili was narrowly denied after appearing to hit the front too late.
Justin Snaith’s champion mare returns after consecutive Gr1 victories over 1600m and drops back to sprinting, while Asiye Phambili arrives off a dominant course-and-distance win that could give her the edge. Sean Tarry’s Mia Moo, last year’s winner, also commands respect after finishing third against males in the Gr1 Computaform Sprint. These three dominate the betting in what promises to be a thrilling renewal.
The Gr1 Gold Medallion has attracted a select field of nine, headed by Vaughan Marshall’s unbeaten colt Rich Man’s World. The son of Rafeef has won all three starts in emphatic style, including an impressive Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes victory over this course. He sets a high standard.
Two unbeaten rivals add intrigue: Mike and Mathew de Kock’s Haute Couture, a runaway debut winner at Turffontein, and Sean Tarry’s Egremont, who impressed on debut at the Vaal. Both are open to significant improvement.
The Gr2 Golden Horse Sprint is a fiercely competitive handicap, but Jeremusalema Rain appeals after defeating Buffalo Storm Cody last time and carrying just 53.5kg. Stablemate Cosmic Speed is closely matched and meets him on slightly better terms. Defending champion Tenango is worth considering, while Taxi To The Moon steps up in class after a solid Greyville win.
The Gr2 Allan Robertson Championship is equally competitive. Querari Dancer impressed in the Strelitzia Stakes on her KwaZulu-Natal debut and has the advantage of proven Scottsville form. Flower Island, unbeaten in two starts for the de Kock yard, rates a major threat.
Sean Tarry’s quartet all merit respect, while Ferrari Flair, Palace Of Arvernia and Eastern Cape raider Ventura Boulevard add further depth to a superb juvenile contest.
