Rain has not been Hollywoodbets Scottsville’s best friend these past three weeks as the track has been plagued with continuous heavy rain that has resulted in a number of abandoned meetings.
The Summerveld training Centre where most local runners are based, has also had its share of wet weather so punters will need to take cognizant of the fact that they have been limited in their work programmes. But hopefully the weather holds for the meeting on Wednesday where punters are faced with a competitive card.
The card opener has many first timers but Mike Miller holds a very strong hand with eight of the 13 runners, four of which have had the benefit of an outing when meeting last time out giving the stable a quartet. There was very little between them with Extraction leading the pack. Mathew Thackeray keeps the ride ahead of stable first call Tristan Godden but third-placed Grey Fantacy raced very green and could make the biggest improvement with Godden aboard. Glamorz has out in two promising efforts for Paul Lafferty and the added experience could be a deciding factor. Vaal-based Kobus Roux is a rare visitor to these shores and Ultimissimo showed some improvement second time out and can still improve.
The second is a modest maiden but Run To Rio showed up well when a beaten favourite over course and distance last run in the soft. He tries first-time blinkers and can go one better. Yannakis found good market support first up on the poly but found one better. He is lightly raced and can make amends. Captain Marsala has come good in blinkers but does come off a break and his form has come over further. He may need this run.
The opening leg of the Pick 6 is an open maiden but Iron Munger stays well and in a time where rain has made it difficult for trainers, his recent effort over a mile should have sharpened him up for this race. Triton is a long-time maiden but is over his best course and distance and he can finally get it right. Band Master goes this trip for the first time for Frank Robinson but he has been showing signs of improving and this trip could bring out the best in him.
The fourth is an open staying race where Twice Golden stays well and loves this course. He has a 2.5kg claimer aboard and a winning hattrick is on the cards for Garth Puller’s runner. Quantifier is 0.5kg better off at the weights given the apprentice claim for a three-length beating when last they met. However, he also stays the trip well and can finish a lot closer this time around. True Trojan was a comfortable winner over course and distance last time out. He has a handy galloping weight and Chase Maujean knows him well. Sugar Blast jumps in trip but is lightly raced. He is progressive and can go close if he stays the extra.
Skytrix made a smart handicap debut for the Miller stable at just her second start. She was tagged with a high rating for that effort and although she carries top weight and is up in trip, she does take a big drop in class. Leopard Lady is always game and never far off the winner. She gets first time blinkers and as an older mare she could finally land her second win. Hot Strike cruised to an easy win last time out and can follow up while Mysterious Girl was a well-beaten second at her last outing and has been ultra consistent of late. Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance will help her chances.
Pinstripe was a recent maiden winner when having her first start for Duncan Howells. She takes on seasoned opposition here but looks progressive and the step up in trip should suit. Drive By will be a threat as she comes from an in form stable and has good recent form in the soft. She stays the trip and should be competitive again. Rowins Dream looks held on the form of her last two but she was not far back and now gets first time blinkers.
The seventh is a tricky handicap but Alyson Wright could hold the key with the lightly raced Jet Legacy. He was probably in need of his last run but shows plenty of ability and can go close in spite of his big weight. Hippocrates is holding form well for Stuart Ferrie and was narrowly beaten last time out. Cotton Ron is seldom far back and just failed last time out. He has some fair form to stronger and should be thereabouts again. The Gliding Fish is not always reliable but can go close on his day and is one to watch in the market.
In the last, Harley Street caught the eye with a smart effort behind stable companion Super Fast. That was his first run back in nearly a year and he can come on from that. Master Josh is in smart form and goes well in the soft. This trip suits. Stable companion Tribute To You has smart recent form on the poly and was touched off last time out. The switch to turf could suit. Donquerari is overdue after a string of forward showings and should put in another honest effort.
