As the season draws to close, although still four months away, trainers start stepping out their more forwards youngsters. That doesn’t make it easy for punters who will have to find their way through the first two races at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday where both the card openers are laced with debutantes.
Judging by the trainer’s first-timer comments in the first, none are seriously fancied but experience does count for a lot and of the two that have run it could be a toss-up between Take Note and Dashing Duchess who both made fair debuts. But it should pay to keep an eye on the betting.
In the second, Peter Muscutt could have the answer in Cold Shine. The trip to Cape Town was obviously a tilt at the lucrative stakes race but after a smart debut effort all went awry. He does take on winner’s here but is expected to come on enough to win this and could have a little too much class.
Ibhele made a winning debut for Louis Goosen and was not too far back first run back from a lengthy break and is one to watch in the betting. Grovefield was a comfortable winner second time out and that form has panned out well with the second horse having come out a winner. Chinaberry has the benefit of experience on this course but Richard Fourie has jumped ship to partner Cold Shine which may be an indication of his chances.
Gorgeous Girl may be one of the better bets as she has made steady improvement and looks primed for this in what stacks up into a modest line-up. Valli Gal is way better than her last effort on the poly where she had the worst of the draw. The switch to the turf from a favourable gate can see her home. Floral Fantasy is lightly raced and has made steady improvement. She was running on well in a maiden handicap last run on the poly and can feature.
The fourth is a tricky handicap. Connoisseur and Avro Prince were recent maiden winners. Connoisseur led a modest maiden field a merry dance when winning his maiden but has been improving all the while and can follow up. Fourie stays aboard Garth Puller’s runner Avro Prince after winning a six-furlong sprint. The step up to a mile may be what the gelding is looking for.
The fifth is a wide open handicap. Louis Goosen bought Oh So Squishy on spec and although she has worst of the draw and her last effort on the poly was a modest, on her previous outing on the turf she was touched off over course and distance and that Fourie is booked to ride the inference is obvious. The big mare Aquae Sulis is never far back and has dropped three pounds in the handicap. Add to that the 1.5kg apprentice claim and she looks to have a strong chance.
The sixth is another difficult handicap but the Michael Roberts-trained Fabulous is way better than her last effort where she had the worst of the draw. Goes well this trip and has her third run after a break. Bosnay has her first run for a new stable. She has been something of an under achiever and the change of routine could see her put her best foot forward. African Folklore has steady form on useful company and the step up in trip should suit while Mvulanzana was narrowly beaten last start over shorter but her best recent effort has been on the poly. Blue Horizon is never far back but showed up well first run out of the maidens and has a light weight even though she steps up in class.
In the seventh, Bless Me Fred is over his best course and distance and with Rachel Venniker sweating down to 52kg this must be ‘game on’. Barzelona has been struggling in smart company of late and should make a big impression in this company. Philispeil loves this course and distance and with only 52kg to shoulder he could upstage his stable companion. King Of The Gauls is smart but he should find this trip on the sharp side but class always prevails. Watch his progress leading into Champions Season.
The last is a tough handicap to round off the afternoon so go wide in the exotics. However, Alyson Wright may hold the key. El Draque was not far back to stronger last run and is down in class with a useful 4kg claimer aboard. This could be the right recipe. Stable companion Intrepid won well in first time blinkers and can follow up while Gimmearainbow has been improving all the time and a drop in the ratings should see him competitive again. Happy Wanderer is always dangerous and is over his best course and distance.
