There looks to be a few standout bets on an interesting card that faces punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
One is the smart William Robertson who contest the Open A TABgold account Pinnacle Stakes that heads the card.
Highveld-based trainer Corne Spies had a successful raid a fortnight back with William Robertson and Three Strands landing a stable double. William Robertson is among the top echelon of sprinters in the country on a rating of 125 but Spies lamented after his last win that suitable races on the Highveld were few and far between.
He is now dipping into the KZN trough with some success and William Robertson, on his best form, should pay his way in spite of facing some useful local opposition. Spies’ runner is the best rated in this fixed weights event and given the ease of his last win on this course; he should be difficult to beat.
Beechamwood Boy is over his favourite course and distance and Wendy Whitehead’s charge should at least make a race of it. A more interesting runner is Strawberry Bear. Mike Millers grey top class but has not been out since scraping home over a mile in June. He could well need this outing but he sprints well and his class could carry him through. Michael Roberts sends out Good Traveller who showed plenty of promise early in his career, especially over this course and distance. He has taken time to find something like his best form but has been showing signs and could be the surprise package.
Cape Eagle will have plenty of supporters in the first leg of the PA. Andre Nel’s gelding was runner-up to the classy See It Again last time out and a close up third to recent Gr1 Betway Summer Cup winner Royal Victory in the Michaelmas Handicap so is the obvious choice. Stable companion is a possible threat in spite of his modest effort behind See It Again, seemingly not suited by the soft going. Robbie Hill has two lively contenders in Navajo Nation and Cherokee Trail. he former shed his maiden over course and distance and followed up in a handicap. He has jumped 13 points in the handicap in three starts but only has 51kg to shoulder. Cherokee Trail made good improvement to win in first time blinkers and has run well over course and distance so cannot be ignored.
In the seventh, Duncan Howells has two smart runners in Foreshore and Lucky Miss. Howells has high regard for Foreshore who looks progressive and was narrowly beaten last time out. Sean Veale is back in the saddle and the shorter trip should suit. Lucky Miss is never far back and was a game winner last time out. She got a four-point penalty for the win but Kobeli Lihaba does claim his 4kg. Yogas Govender’s filly Twinklelittlestar was a good second to Minogue last time out and is now 2.5kg better off which should be enough to turn the tables. Whitehead also has a strong hand with three in-form runners, best of which could be Morgan La Fay who teams up with Muzi Yeni again. However, he best recent form has been on the poly.
The opening leg of the Pick 6 is a tricky affair. Grecian Palace has finished behind two Gary Rich-trained fillies at her last two, narrowly beaten by the outsider A Time To Dance on this course last time out. She drops back in trip and has a 4kg claimer up, however, she faces another Rich-trained filly in Fire Phoenix who is both course and distance suited and in good form. Head Girl showed up nicely in her local debut and is certain to come on from that effort while Jane’s Vision has been costly to follow but her two best recent efforts have been over course and distance and the straight course seems to suit.
The fourth is a tricky. After a short spell in the doldrums after administration of compulsory AHS vaccinations, the Michael Roberts yard appears to have turned the corner and he has two strong chances in this competitive maiden. Stable rider Rachel Venniker is sure to have had the choice between Future Flo and Noble Warrior. Future Flo was returning from a break when a beaten favourite last time out and looks capable of going one better. Richard Fourie has picked up the ride on Noble Warrior who has put in two promising efforts to date so cannot be written off lightly. The big-striding Fireflare came from well back when narrowly beaten on this course last time out and will have plenty of supporters. Irish Luck had no luck in running when favourite at his most recent start and now has the more experienced Sean Veale aboard.
There are plenty in with chances in the fifth although Wayne Badenhorst will have been a little taken aback at the 82MR rating afforded Rhythm after shedding his maiden at second time of asking. However, he started at long odds which suggests that he has still not found his best. Shot Of Courage was doing his best work late behind Ndaka last start and goes well for this apprentice. Louis Goosen has a trio of form runners, best of which could be Mask On who has won his last two with stable first-call rider Chase Maujean staying with the mount. Dontshootthebarman has been in cracking form for Clinton Binda but all recent efforts have been around the turn so the straight course under top weight could be an issue. It could pay to load up in the exotics in this leg.
Badenhorst could round the day off with a double as Doctor’s Orders is seldom out of the money and has been runner-up at her last two. She stays the trip and drops in class. Drive By comes from the in-form Louis Goosen yard and followed up her most recent win with a close-up second. She steps up in trip but stays a mile well and the extra may bring out the very best. Fashionigma is seldom far off the money and with some luck in running could make it home.
