Every year Hollywoodbets Scottsville hosts the Michael Roberts raceday in honour of one of the country’s finest jockeys who rode his first winner, Smyrna, on this course. Roberts went on to win 11 South African Championships and one English Championship where he was up against the likes of Pat Eddery, Steve Cauthen and Lester Piggott, all legends in their time.
After suffering defeat behind Formagear when favourite for the Christmas Handicap, trainer Andre Nel cut his losses and scratched Cape Eagle from the WSB Cape Town Met. However, the gelding can redeem himself in the Michael Roberts Stakes on Sunday.
Cape Eagle was run out of it late by Formagear but he is now 1kg better off in the handicap as the two meet again. Cape Eagle will appreciate the extra 150m and can turn the tables. Peter Muscutt saddles Formagear and the Zimbabwean star Down To Business as well as the mare Rockie Reef. Down To Business was three lengths adrift of his stable companion in the Christmas Handicap but that was his first run since July and he should be good enough to show a couple of lengths improvement which will make him competitive. He has not been out of the money in nine starts. Rockie Reef took a 10-point hit in the handicap for her win in the Flamboyant Stakes and will find things tough in this field. MJ Odendaal saddles Addabar who was a touch disappointing behind Formagear in the Christmas but he can make amends over this trip and is not without a winning chance.
In the card opener, Grovefield showed good pace on debut and was only run out of it late by the favourite Fine One. Yogas Govender’s colt should come on from that effort. Samuel Longsword was only a length behind Grovefield when making his debut and should come on from that with runners from Doug Campbell’s stable in good form of late. Grey Fantasy takes on males and judging by the jockey bookings looks the pick of the Mike Miller quartet.
In the second, Gareth van Zyl sends out Captain Marsala who has shown up well in two starts in blinkers. He was not far back in second on this course last time out from a wide draw and in soft ground. Future Flo has the best of the draw and has only been out of the money twice in 10 outings. However, both unplaced runs have been in soft going which is aa concern. Frank Robinson switches Madison Valley to the turf after two poly outings. The second was a much improved effort after being down the field on debut. Helsinki is back on turf over his best trip but he does have a testing draw to contend with.
Tomiris disappointed when finding good market support on debut and started at long odds next time out where she made good improvement. Gareth van Zyl’s filly has the best of the draw in the third race and the extra furlong should suit. Stable companion True Love’s Kiss also made good improvement over course and distance at her second start. Athandiwe Mgudlwa is the first choice stable rider but Jason Gates rides for owner Joa da Mata so nothing can be read into the jockey bookings. Sweeter Than Honey started at long odds last run and was narrowly beaten. The trip suits and the stable is in form. Elusive Belle tried further last start but could be more effective this trip at this stage of her career.
The fourth is a tricky maiden but Imaginable has some fair form and stays the trip well. Alyson Wright has booked useful four-claimer Trent Mayhew for the ride which could be enough to see him home. Things get difficult should he fail to run up to expectations. King’s Island was narrowly beaten in a Maiden Handicap last start where he had a light weight but he steps up in trip which should suit. Bandmaster has been kept to the poly for his last two where he has shown improvement. He looks to be coming to hand nicely while The Noah is also showing signs of coming to hand and gets first time blinkers.
In the fifth, Captain’s Christy did not have the best of passages last run on this course but was still not far back. Mark Dixon’s filly got a three-point relief in the handicap after that showing and can take advantage. Gareth van Zyl has two lively runners. Convocation ran well below expectations when favourite and finishing behind stable companion Ancient Epic who finished runner-up in that race. It was a run way below par by Convocation and the tables are likely to be turned. Bonne Bouche is back on her preferred surface and over her optimum trip and can upset.
In a competitive sprint, Ultra Magnus has taken a new lease on life for Peter Muscutt and only just failed when beaten by the useful Pray For Rain over course and distance. A repeat should see him close again. Coin Spinner is the highest rated runner and was third behind Pray For Rain and Ultra Magnus last time out. He is now 0.5kg worse off at the weights but is smart and cannot be written off. Qhawe Lami has been a running a little below par at recent outings but Clinton Binda makes the raid from the Highveld with one runner and Qhawe Lami gets first time blinkers. Beechamwood Boy loves this course. He was close-up to the smart William Robertson last time out and should run another honest race.
Louis Goosen can round of the meeting with Drive By. The mare has a bit of a wide draw but Goosen’s runner has been in consistent form of late and goes well in the soft. He meets another modest line-up. Political Party gets a 4kg claimer aboard and showed up well in the soft last time out while San Marzano has the wisest draw but has been showing signs of a return to form as does the stable.
