South Africa Horse Racing Previews: SCOTTSVILLE@2023.07.09
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 11:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Work rider’s races are not the easiest but Aron Xabendlini is more than competent and he rides SERVILIUS (5) for his stable, the gelding having improved since being tried in blinkers. KNIGHT WARRIOR (6) gives weight to all but is smart on his day and will be a threat. QUEST FOR THE BEST (7) has won five of his last six starts over this course and is creeping up the handicap. PURPLE POWERHOUSE (1) has consistent form on the poly but showed some improvement in blinkers last run and can do better on the grass.
Selections:
#5 SERVILIUS, #6 KNIGHT WARRIOR, #7 QUEST FOR THE BEST, #1 PURPLE POWAHOUSE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 2, Gallops, 1500m, Turf, R100,000, 12:05GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: GREENLIGHT LEGEND (3) has made improvement with each outing and was running on well on the poly last time out. She has drawn well and must have a strong chance. ARVERNI PRINCESS (12) has drawn wide but she has shown up well in two sprints and looks primed for this. MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON (8) was a beaten short-priced favourite last start. She also steps up in trip but should enjoy the extra given her pedigree. PORTO ZANTE (4) improved second time out but is another going the trip for the first time. She has the better draw.
Selections:
#3 GREENLIGHT LEGEND, #12 ARVERNI PRINCESS, #8 MOUNTAINSOFTHEMOON, #4 PORTO ZANTE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R120,000, 12:40GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: RAPIDASH (12) goes this trip for the first time but was a game winner over shorter last outing. He has drawn wide but looks progressive. PROFESSOR LUPIN (1) is still a maiden but does show some promise. He ran a fair race on the poly last start but does appear to be more effective on the turf. DOWN BY THE RIVER (7) has come on nicely with each outing and was close-up in the soft last run. Stable companion BRISTOL HERCULES (11) made a smart debut at lengthy odds and is sure to have come on with the experience.
Selections:
#12 RAPIDASH, #1 PROFESSOR LUPIN, #7 DOWN BY THE RIVER, #11 BRISTOL HERCULES
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 4, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 13:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Paul Gadsby holds a strong hand with the two-year-old FULL OF MAGIC (4) and the year older SEA OF TEARS (5). Both are in goods form but the younger filly goes well over course and distance and could be the stable pick. JANE’S VISION (10) has improved with each outing. She was running on smartly over course and distance last outing and should make a bold bid for Michael Roberts. Sean Tarry’s filly LADY GREENSLEEVES (3) returns from a lengthy break after trying further. It’s a long road to come to have a crack at a maiden.
Selections:
#4 FULL OF MAGIC, #10 JANE’S VISION, #5 SEA OF TEARS, #3 LADY GREENSLEEVES
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: PLAZA ACCORD (10) was a well-supported favourite on debut but found one too good. He can make amends in what stacks up to be modest opposition although there are a few first timers to keep and eye on. POTENT CAPTAIN (2) raced green in a promising debut behind stable companion Honshu. He is sure to come on from that effort. BENNI IN THE AREA (11) has had a few chances for Gary Rich but his best recent effort has been over course and distance. When going down narrowly. MAR DEL PLATA (16) was well beaten on debut but did find some market support and is one to watch.
Selections:
#10 PLAZA ACCORD, #5 POTENT CAPTAIN, #11 BENNI IN THE AREA, #16 MAR DEL PLATA
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 6, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Tricky maiden with many improvers in with chances. THISISWHATITMEANSTOME (16) has been rested after starting favourite at his last two starts for Peter Muscutt. The break may have done him the world of good and he gets another chance. GORGEOUS GUY (13) almost caused a major boil-over second time out over course and distance, just finding one better. A repeat should see him in the firing line. MASTER JOSH (10) has been trying further but has been runner-up at his last three. This will be his second run after a break and back to a sprint for Alyson Wright. It is best to ignore the last run by Gauteng visitor QUIXOTE (4) as his form prior was promising. NINETY NINE HEROS (6) raced green last start but did show improvement. He could surprise in a tough race.
Selections:
#16 THISISWHATITMEANS, #13 GORGEOUS GUY, #10 MASTER JOSH, #4 QUIXOTE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 7, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R100,000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Open handicap. The Duncan Howells-trained CHELSEA BLUE (7) is back on her favourite surface and can make amends for her disappointing last effort. Mike Miller saddles PALM BREEZE (5) who is way better than her last effort where she was compromised by a wide draw. She goes well this course and distance. KILEIGH’S FATE (4) is not the easiest at the gate but has improved in blinkers. She switches back to the turf. CINNAMON BLUSH (8) was a cracking second last outing. She has not been far back since shedding her maiden and a repeat of her last start could see Wendy Whitehead in the winner’s circle. FORT J’ADORE (9), BLUSH OF DAWN (6) and TIZ MAGIC (3) are others to consider.
Selections:
#7 CHELSEA BLUE, #5 PALM BREEZE, #4 KILEIGH’S FATE, #8 CINNAMON BLUSH
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 8, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R110,000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: Wide open handicap. ANCIENT EPIC (5) is in cracking form over the distance but there should be very little between her SABATINI (3), OUR EMILY (1) and SWEET SYMPHONY (2). Throw in AMARANDI (4) and it is little more than a guessing game. However, Ancient Epic could have the upper hand and is taken to get home ahead of Amarandi and Sabatini with our Emily not far behind.
Selections:
#5 ANCIENT EPIC, #4 AMARANDI, #3 SABATINI, #1 OUR EMILY
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 9, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R100,000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY (7) was a beaten favourite on the poly last time out. She was not far back in a gr1 before that and could make amends for Mark Dixon. Paul Matchette has made KZN a happy hunting ground and saddles MIST IN SCOTLAND (5) who won well on the Greyville poly last time out. She looks useful. BRIGHT STAR (9) bids for a hattrick of wins for Nathan Kotzen. She has risen in the handicap but has made steady improvement and can follow up. MAQUETTE (6) is a five-furlong specialist so her last run is best ignored. She has a definite money chance.
Selections:
#7 CAPTAIN’S CHRISTY, #5 MIST IN SCOTLAND, #9 BRIGHT STAR, #6 MAQUETTE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 09.07.2023, Race 10, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R100,000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: Summary: POWER STAR (6) has been knocking at the door for some time now. He takes a step up in trip which may suit. ABERDEEN (2) could give Derryl Daniels his first winner back in the saddle. Glen Kotzen’s runner lacked extra in the soft last start and was unlucky from a wide draw at his previous start. He steps up in trip but looks capable. HOUSE OF ROMANOV (1) raced green on debut and was not far behind the more experienced Aberdeen. He could make the required improvement. JOHNNY THE THIEF (13) made good improvement second time out at long odds. He obviously enjoyed the step up in trip and must have a chance of going one better.
Selections:
#6 POWER STAR, #2 ABERDEEN, #1 HOUSE OF ROMANOV, #13 JOHNNY THE THIEF
Best Win: #10 PLAZA ACCORD
Best Value Bet: #7 CHELSEA BLUE
Best Longshot: #6 NINETY NINE HEROS
