Royal Victory looks to be something of a handicap certainty when he lines up in the Fever Tree Stakes at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday after his win in the Gr1 Betway Summer Cup.
Nathan Kotzen’s runner had his handicap rating shunted up from a 111 to a 119 after that win and strictly on paper should be hard to beat. However, Royal Victory has not been out since that win back in November last year and this is a likely warm-up outing for the Champions Cup at Turffontein later in the year. That is not to say he can’t win but he carries a hefty burden against come useful light-weights over a 1500m trip which may now prove to be a little on the sharp side.
There should not be much between Formagear and Imilenzeyokududuma the two last meeting in the Christmas Handicap with a neck separating them. The latter is now 1kg better off in the handicap and has subsequently run a cracker behind the smart Gladatorian when a beaten favourite on this course. Formagear finished a close-up third in the Michael Roberts Stakes giving the mare Bella Siccome 8.5kg and Paul Lafferty’s mare has since franked that form. Cabinet Shuffle is an interesting runner with Turffontein-based Robyn Klaasen having her first KZN runner. The current form looks dodgy but Cabinet Shuffle could surprise.
If one is not prepared to banker Royal Victory in your exotics than Wendy Whitehead’s gelding Bom Bom could fit the bill. He made a promising debut for his new stable over course and distance which was marked improvement on his Highveld form and a repeat will see him close. Gimme A Rainbow has been consistent and not far back to Happy Wanderer last time out. He is now 2kg better off and can turn the tables. All The Time has finally come good, winning his last two for Yogas Govender. He drops a furlong in trip but has only crept up the handicap. El Draque has finally got it all together for Alyson Wright with another game win just second time out of the maidens. He had consistent maiden form and has finally come to hand.
In the card opener, Richard Fourie should add another winner to his growing tally as he partners Quid Pro Quo for Barend Botes. The filly has gone down narrowly in both starts and the form has panned out quite well. She rates the one to beat. Michael Miller has his usual handful of juvenile runners with stable rider Tristan Godden aboard the first timer Magical View who Miller describes as a “very nice filly”. Athandiwe Mgudlwa has the ride on exposed stable companion Ethereal View who has placed in all three starts. Radiant Heat comes from Vaal raider Corne Spies. She was a well-beaten second at only her second start and is likely to improve.
William Longsword can kick off the PA as he made a promising debut where the form has worked out well. He galloped at Hollywoodbets Greyville last week and Rachel Venniker stays aboard for Doug Campbell. Gold Rush Kid raced green in a promising debut around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn. That was in soft ground and down the straight he should improve nicely. Chinaberry was all at sea on debut and should come on with the experience. Richard Fourie rides for Wendy Whitehead.
Tothestarsandback has found market support in all three starts and can help in a tricky start to the Pick 6. Two of those starts were in the soft where she made no show and her best effort has been on this course on good ground. She can make amends for Mark Dixon. There should be very little between Dawn Surprise and Jazz Café the two finishing within a neck of each other when last they met. Both should be on good ground for the first time and both should be included in all exotics. Miss Platina has her first outing for Tienie Prinsloo. She was well beaten over a mile last time out but is one to watch here.
Tomyris is likely to be in warm order in the fourth and although she has drawn a touch wide, she has improve with every outing. She was touched off over course and distance last run and can go one better. Blue Horizon has improved since Weiho Marwing declared blinkers. She has been trying further but this could well be her optimum trip at this stage. Madam Pompadour has been costly to follow but has never been far back of late. She faces mostly a modest field here and can make amends. Louis Goosen saddles Elusive Belle who has also been trying further but one of her better recent efforts has been over course and distance.
The fifth is a difficult handicap where many are in with winning chances. Givers Grace is likely to start at generous odds as she found her last start too far in the soft ground. She is back over a more suitable trip, has drawn well and her pervious form was solid. Leopard Lady always gives of her best and is long overdue her second win. She was touched off narrowly in first time blinkers and is reunited with regular light-weight rider Nicholas Patel. Celtic Beauty has only had three outings and made a smart handicap debut when narrowly beaten on this course. Mascherina was the beaten favourite in the race where Celtic Beauty was second. She too has only had three starts and has Fourie aboard.
The last is another minefield but Kimball O’Hara was much improved third time out for his new stable. He had some fair Cape form prior to that and may finally have come to hand after showing up against stronger last time out. Godfather looks to have a better chance than stable companion Cabinet Shuffle as he has steady Highveld form over the trip. Papa C finally had his consistency rewarded when dropped back to a mile last time out and he only got a three-point rise in the handicap. Safe Space has a tough draw but was narrowly beaten at his last two. Both those runs were on the poly and Fourie has deserted to ride Johnny The Thief who showed up well in a Novice Handicap last time out.
