Gaudis Masterpiece, who is weighted to win Race 5, a Conditional Novice over 1500m at Scottsville on Sunday, will be a popular chice with punters. But the horse he beat, Beechamwood Boy, is running in a Race 2, a 1200m Maiden Plate, and he should rank as the number one bet on the card.
Granted, he was a bit disappointing when trying this track last time but Beechamwood Boy had it all go wrong as he raced without cover and found the steady pace unsettling. He will get the speed on and should mow down his field which doesn’t include a Gaudis Masterpiece-type runner.
Most can’t shy away from dabbling in bets like the BiPot, Pick 6 and Jackpots when it comes to KwaZulu-Natal racing as the dividends are usually pretty good, but it could pay to take a few doubles on a day like this. Spydas Corner and Arctic Tune are good examples.
Arctic Tune was impressive when he started his career and is another who produces powerful finishes at the flick of his reins. But after a sparkling start he has been sidelined for a while and looks to have had a few setbacks.
Interestingly, he is starting up just prior to the upcoming champions season and as such could be hard to beat in lead-up races.
He takes his place in a MR 81 handicap over 1400m where he gives away weight to most but he will be meeting the best around in the near future and this must be a good stepping stone for the talented four-year-old.
Spydas Corner runs in the best race on the day, Race 7, the African Holly Handicap. He hasn’t had the best of luck when it comes to the big races, but this looks the right race for him.
Ishnana, an impressive winner of his last start, may not be able to fend him off this time as he is 5.5kg worse off with Spydas Corner for a 3.05-length beating at Greyville and the latter has been better at Scottsville.
There is good talk for the first timer in Race 1 – Woodland Retreat – who has a purple pedigree and races for a yard that has been dominating juvenile races in the province so far.
Preview by Clive Robinson
