The usual suspects have runners in the first juvenile race of the KZN season at Hollywoodbets Scottsville next Wednesday. A per normal, two-year-old king Michael Miller has five of the nine runners which can be a conundrum so one has to rely on the betting and jockey bookings.
Stable rider Tristan Godden will no doubt have had the choice of the Miller runners so Fine One could be the stable elect. Kom Naidoo is no slouch in getting his youngsters off early and World Pharoah with Craig Zackey aboard could be worth watching in the market. Son of Erupt and Quelimane are both inmates of the Miller yard while Ibhele could also be a runner.
Garth Puller holds the cards in the second over 2600m as he saddles four of the seven runners. However, Billy Of Tea finally got it right for Miller after starting favourite at his previous five starts. He obviously enjoyed the 2400m trip and can follow up although he takes on a seasoned Puller army best of which could be True Trojan with Richard Fourie aboard. The gelding showed up well first run out of the maidens behind useful stable companion Twice Golden and a repeat should see him running on. Rock Fall gives weight to all but Paul Lafferty has replaced a string of apprentice riders with Calvin Habib. The gelding stays well and could prove a touch too classy in spite of the burden.
Sean Veale can make a winning return to the saddle after his features were rearranged in a horrific fall when he partners Teatime Tipple for Stuart Ferrie. The gelding is course and distance suited and has gone close over the distance at his last two. Specmagic has been trying further at recent starts but the drop back to a sprint with a 4kg claimer up will make him dangerous. There are a number of debutantes in the field where the exposed form is rather thin so watch the betting.
The fourth is a tricky maiden. Vihaan’s Queen made a smart debut at long odds in soft ground for Gareth van Zyl and should come on from that. She could prove the one to beat. Elegant Act has drawn wide but has improved at recent outings and stays the trip while Tony Rivalland saddles Celtic Beauty who has drawn widest of all but found solid market support on debut. She was not far back and if Richard Fourie can get her favorably positioned, she must have a strong chance of recouping some losses. One Smart Cookie raced in feature company last start when going the mile for the first time. This looks to be a better trip and she cannot be ruled out as a likely winner.
In the fifth, The Nightingale Sings ran a smart race on debut for Gareth van Zyl when sent over a mile first time out. She should come on lengths from that effort but will need to get past Fairy Trip in spite of her wide draw. She has earned in four of her five starts for Glen Kotzen and stays the trip well. Gary Rich sends out Joan The Wad who has the worst of the draw but has been improving with every outing and should be close to her best now. Kom Naidoo’s filly with the short tail, Weststockmarketborse who is the likely pacesetter and could give a good lead to Joan The Wad.
The sixth is an open handicap but Cavalieri has his third run after a break for MJ Odendaal. He is down in class and should strip close to his peak. Purple Operator comes from the in-form yard of Duncan Howells and the gelding was a close-up second on the poly last start. However, the trip and the switch to turf should suit. Joshua Hotsnake looks held by Purple Operator on their last meeting but Wendy Whiteheads charge has been consistently placed at recent outings and should be thereabouts again.
Puller sends out Winter Baron in the seventh who took on stronger last run with a 4kg claiming up. He is down in class here with a more experience 4kg claimer aboard and a repeat will see him close. Captain Wara has his first run for Wayne Badenhorst and was an easy maiden winner back in July. He was good enough to finish just over four lengths back to Gr1 winning Sanderingham Summit in a feature so he obviously has a touch of class. If ready he could take a lot of beating. Mask On followed up his maiden win beating his stable companion, Cotton Ron. Chase Maujean stays with the ride in preference to Donquerari but there should not be much between the two. Faustino has yet to regain his form after a move to the Highveld but he is talented on his day and can cause an upset. The last is a difficult handicap. Gareth van Zyl saddles three lively contenders where Convocation would appear to have the best form but stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa has opted for the less exposed Mamas Baby. She jumps in class but may be worth watching in the market. Acasia’s Blossom took on males and stronger at her last start. She has an experienced 4kg claimer aboard and goes well on this track. Sweet Symphony won her last two over course and distance for Mike Miller but she got a five-point rise in the handicap for her last effort which is a concern.
