Mike Miller could have a fine Christmas Eve with a number of good chances at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. His two best chances come in the first two races.
Fine One was expected to win first time out and was well supported on debut but found one too good with the balance of the field strung put behind. He meets many first timers in the card opener but the experience should could in his favour and he obviously shows some talent. Most of the trainers with first time runners do not appear to be expecting too much from their charges except Yogas Govender who says that he is expecting a competitive run from Grovefield. Ant Dynasty and Bumble Bee Gold have had the experience of a run that should bring them on.
Miller holds all the cards in the second and a trifecta is a distinct possibility. Best of them could be Just Reckless who was a close-up second to her stable companion Discerning on debut with stable runners Ethereal View and Jet Lavish not far behind. The stable also has the well bred filly Grey Fantasy in the line-up.
Michael Roberts could have the answer in a tricky maiden that kicks off the Pick 6. The Roberts-trained Railroad was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out and a repeat should see him close again in this line-up. Long Gallery made some promising improvement second time out and on his turf debut. He should come on from that. Catavar has only had one start and then laid off with a virus. Tony Rivalland is expecting a competitive run. Ment To Fly showed good pace before fading late last time out and can come on from that effort.
In the first leg of the Jackpot Wyatt’s Choice is a five-year-old who has only just seen a racecourse, this being his third outing. As the stable has persisted, he obviously has some ability and caught the eye with a promising effort second time out behind Nightjar and recent winner Fireflare. He meets little of note here. Specmagic showed some pace when tried in blinkers for the first time over a sprint. Garth Puller has stepped him up to what looks to be a more suitable trip and the blinkers stay on with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance also a factor to consider. Electric Storm was on the heels of Wyatt’s Choice when last they met and has improved with each outing.
The fifth is a tricky fillies and mare’s handicap but the Miller-trained African Beat is progressive and has done well over course and distance. She should at least be in the money. Carl Hewitson’s filly Givers Grace takes on stronger but was touched off over course and distance last time out. With some relief from the saddle, she must have a strong winning chance. Aquae Sulis is a giant of a mare. She has been ultra consistent but battling for her seventh win. This could be the day. Jollification seldom runs a bad race but does look to be more effective on the poly.
The sixth is another wide open handicap. Lady Heist has her third run after a break and is down in class. She steps up in trip but has a plum draw. Red Roses Too finished ahead of Lady Heist when they met last time out. She too goes the extra furlong and has improved in blinkers. Kailene has drawn wide but has been taking on much stronger at recent outings. She stays the trip well. Epic View is another Miller runner that needed her last run. She is way better than her recent form would suggest and can surprise.
The seventh is a competitive Pinnacle Stakes but African Skyline is long overdue another victory. He was badly out at the weights last run against William Robertson but his form prior to that was consistently second. He goes well this trip and looks fairly well weighted. Good Traveller showed signs of his best form on his best course last time out. He could finally get it right of a long spell in the doldrums. Mark Dixon sends out the three-year-old filly Captains Christy who taking on some seasoned veterans but she is smart and has a light weight. She could pull this off. Pray For Rain is never far back. He has it all to do at the weights but should make a bold bid.
The last is also wide open with many in with chances. However, Intrepid has been consistent of late and was touched off last time out. The apprentice stays aboard with first time blinkers which could see them go one better. Quick Star is always game. He has his third run after a lengthy break and has not been far back. He does have a big weight. Space Cowboy won well first time put of the maidens. He has come good in blinkers but his two wins have come on the poly which may or may not be of concern. Lazy Guy has only won once in 35 starts but has been in the money on 21 occasions. He has improved with a tongue-tie and has a strong chance of a second win.
