South Africa Horse Racing Previews: SCOTTSVILLE@2023.02.08
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R80.000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: BITCOIN BABY ran on well into second behind an experienced individual on debut. She knows the track and should have every chance this time round. While it will take a decent first-timer to beat her, there are plenty of them. Follow the betting moves closely. AFRICAN BEAT wasn’t far off BITCOIN BABY when making her bow. She ran as if in need of the experience and can improve.
Selections:
#3 Bitcoin Baby, #6 African Beat, #8 Epic View, #2 Mia’s Athena
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R80.000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: LUCKY MISS has become a bookmakers friend. She has run second four times in a row and has been a bit costly. However she does have leading rider Keagan De Melo in the irons and could finally get her head in front. While SOUTHERN CAPE can press on in front it might be CRAZY BLUES that dictates matter this time and she could keep going if allowed to. The former is dropping in distance but could race well fresh after a rest. Lightly raced REEFWAY has been given gate one and may enjoy racing in a small field in her first try at this track with it’s longer straight. She could mow them down
Selections:
#2 Lucky Miss, #7 Crazy Blues, #1 Reefway, #5 Mvulazana
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: AFRICAN DUSK got going too late to trouble a well-backed individual last time. It was an encouraging run after a rest and he should have every chance. SIR CEDRIC produced a promising poly run after showing little on debut. He has had more time off and could be anything. ARVERNI KING again ran a decent race without winning, but he could time it right in a race with inexperienced sorts. FINE ADMIRAL has been brought along steadily and may prove to be the dark horse. If RAFIKI and GIMME GORGEOUS prefer the trip, both could be right there.
Selections:
#2 African Dusk, #8 Sir Cedric, #7 Arverni King, #4 Fine Admiral
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: TEICHMAN is in the form of his life this season and he looks well placed again to take charge. ARROW’S MARK has been twice beaten by the former but is much better off at the weights and he could finally land a winning blow. RICCARDO hasn’t been beaten far in two tough races and having drawn well should give another good account of himself. CHEROKEE TRAIL seems better than his last two and has been trying different things. He could enjoy the track and trip. CONGO COMPAQ has won at this track and has drawn well. He could be hard to pass if in front. More in it.
Selections:
#7 Teichman, #9 Arrow’s Mark, #3 Riccardo, #5 Cherokee Trail
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80.000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: Another competitive race – go wide in exotic bets. ZOOBERI can’t be faulted and should prefer the switch back to the turf. He looks to have more to come. MASTER TOBE came in for betting support last time and will now be having his third start after a rest. He could be cherry ripe. EXCEEDER may be in the right race to notch up win number four. He has also dropped in merit ratings. BEND THE RULES won a nice race in his penultimate and looks to have found his last race short. He could bounce back to winning ways. FUTURISIMO and TIME TAKER seem capable of upsetting.
Selections:
#7 Master Tobe, #3 Zooberi, #2 Exceeder, #9 Bend The Rules
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R80.000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: DANSE MILORD tried 1600m in her 18th start and it proved to be what she was looking for. She won well enough to suggest she could win again given similar tactics. EAU DE VIE has been brought along steadily. She showed promise as a youngster and could be the one to watch now tried over distance. MEL’S PRINCESS suddenly looked dangerous in her last start and may be back to best. She is overdue and has a win at this venue. CHELSEA FLOWER has also dropped in ratings and deserves some respect. She has drawn well and could get in the hunt. SLEEK AS SILK and MARIA COROLINA have claims.
Selections:
#4 Danse Milord, #2 Eau De Vie, #5 Mel’s Princess, #3 Chelsea Flower
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 2600m, Turf, R80.000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: TOM BOMBADIL put just about this whole field to bed when tried over the marathon distance for the first time. He can only get better but has a bit more to do at the weights and will need the race run to suit. PAPA C has beaten CYBER TIME before but it could get close at the weights this time. The pair should also likely make sure the race is run at a decent pace. TWICE GOLDEN is in good form and knocking for another win. However he should prefer it if the going comes up soft. WITH PLEASURE can add a marathon win to his tally on bare form. More can upset.
Selections:
#1 Tom Bombadil, #9 Papa C, #4 Twice Golden, #5 With Pleasure
Scottsville, 08.02.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R80.000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: STRAWBERRY BEAR is back and he could be the one to catch. The Mike Miller inmate has been gelded and could be even better but he may just need it. NOBLE SNIPER has tried different tactics and has not disgraced himself. He could enjoy the drop to a sprint. STANLEY PARK carries a light weight and could be the upset package. However he has a habit of starting slow and is not too reliable as a result. Stable mate FRANZ LEHAR finally returns to the track he is one from one at. He could be dangerous again.
Selections:
#3 Strawberry Bear, #1 Noble Sniper, #4 Stanley Park, #2 Franz Lehar
Best Win: #2 LUCKY MISS
Best Value Bet: #7 MASTER TOBE
Best Longshot: #7 MASTER TOBE
