Andrew Harrison
It could be a case of feast or famine at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. There appears to be a couple of horses with solid chances but if they fail to run up to expectations, things could get nasty.
Dean Kannemeyer sends out Dawnofanewday in the sixth and she is way overdue another win. The form of her last start has held up well after Humdinger came out to win the Listed Off To Stud Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday and she is the horse to beat. Bingin Beach looks the biggest threat to her chances after Gavin van Zyl’s charge was narrowly beaten when wearing first time blinkers on the poly. Jackson Wells rates an upset chance as Mark Dixon’s mare has dropped in the handicap and now gets a 4kg claimer up which should make her competitive. She is more than capable of an upset on her day. The Shane Humby-trained Twiceasfast gave apprentice Donald Geerthsen his first winner and he has partnered her to a further two wins. She is back on her best course and her last effort on the poly is best ignored.
Botz could be another to fill punter’s wallets if their finances last until the ninth and last. Dennis Drier’s charge is a sizable animal and has gone close at his last two over course and distance including an improved effort in blinkers. He may be the one to beat although Letaba is way better than his last effort. He is mostly consistent, has smart form in blinkers, gets some weight off his back and looks well handicapped. Putins Promise won well under a big weight last outing and has put in two smart efforts on this course since a change of stables
Blazing Light has let his supporters down on many an occasion but the gelding will never get a better chance to shed his maiden when he runs in the third. He is hardly ever out of the money but does stay the trip and should triumph in a weak field.
Of the others Osceola has made some improvement in blinkers but has been one-paced over shorter. The step up in trip could suit. Monsieur Chevelle stays the trip and shows some ability. The switch back to the turf could help.
The second could be a little tricky. Lazy Guy has lived up to his name but has shown some signs of life at recent outings. The form of his last run has stood up well and a repeat could see him finally reap just rewards.
However, there are plenty of others in with chances and the betting could pay to follow with some first timers including Cheeky Laddie who is bred in the purple and from a strong stable.
The fourth could rest between Berengaria and Jazzbella. The former has come on with each outing and this Highveld stable does not raid unless they have the right horse for the right race and Berengaria looks primed for this. With an African Horse Sickness scare barring Cape trainers heading back to Cape Town with their horses, Justin Snaith will rely on Jazzbella who made a smart debut at relatively long odds for the stable. The experience should count as well as the step up in trip.
In the fifth, Quest For The Best has been knocking at the door for some time now when carded in blinkers. He is due a change of luck in a modest field in spite of pulling another wide gate. Imitation Game was in contention until late when running last Sunday over course and distance. He has improved switching to turf and should make a bold bid. There are plenty of others in with chances including Riccardo who has only had two outings for his new stable. His best recent effort was over course and distance from a wide draw and he can do better her.
Louis Goosen has done a fine job with his mare Beckoning Beauty and she will be looking for a third win on the bounce in the seventh. However, there should not be much between her and Puff Of Smoke. The latter has twice finished a length or so behind the former but now gets a stronger rider aboard which could make a difference. However, Beckoning Beauty, although winning her last two on the poly, is equally at home on the turf and can go in again in spite of the five-point raise in the handicap.
The eight is an open handicap where the handicapper’s assessment will be tested. Harley’s Fate surprised on debut when a narrow winner but was hammered by the handicappers. She may be as good as they think she is but Casa Rosada has been close up at recent starts and with a 4kg claimer up has a light weight. Kingsmeads Krystl has improved on the poly and although her recent turf record is not good the addition of a compression mask may have accounted for the recent improvement.
