Justin Snaith has started his KZN winter season campaign with all guns blazing and he can add to his already growing tally when he sends out Algoa Cup winner Future Swing in the Listed World Sports Betting Sledgehammer at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
The gelding has strong form in feature company and although he won over a lot further last time out, he is equally effective over this trip. Richard Fourie will be aboard and the title-chasing jockey looks to have a strong card of ride on the day and may be the man to follow.
Fourie was aboard Imilenzeyokududuma when he was a beaten favourite behind Narina Trogon in the Kings Cup, the latter turning the tables on their last meeting. Gareth van Zyl’s runner is now 3kg better off and the tables can be turned again. Robbie Hill sent Navajo Nation to try his luck in the Highveld features without success and that form does not inspire. However, the gelding is way better than his run in the Gr1 SA Classic and a win will not come as a surprise.
Supporting feature is the WSB Scarlet Lady over 1750m, ironically named after one of the best sprinting fillies ever to race at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. Be that as it may, Mike de Kock saddles Mary’s Greenlight who was a narrow winner over a mile last time out. Prior to that she had not been far back to recent Gr2 SA Oaks winner Frances Ethel. The step up to 1750m will suit and she will be a big runner. Tony Rivalland, fresh off a double last Monday, saddles Celtic Beauty who is relatively unexposed. But she has had the benefit of having won over course and distance and a handy galloping weight. The stable have high hopes for her future. Of the balance, Ivy League was not far back in her local debut after returning from a break. Her regular pilot is aboard and she can definitely finish in the money while stable companion Ballroom Bliss is up in class but won well on this course last time out which is a bonus.
The WSB Highland Night could develop into a match between Cape Eagle and One Way Traffic. Cape Eagle has been in cracking form over shorter but Andre Nel’s gelding has been running on stoutly. The step up in trip should suit and he can have the measure of Justin Snaith’s charge One Way Traffic who is well proven over the trip. Snaith has made a cracking start to his KZN winter season raid and One Way Traffic could be the horse they all have to beat. Louis Goosen has confined Cyber Time to a mile at recent outings but he has form over this trip and with a handy weight can feature. Pirate Prince has his third run after a break and was a close-up second last start over shorter. He stays the trip and must have a chance.
In a competitive Pinnacle Stakes, Wendy Whitehead’s stable is in good form and she looks to have picked the right race for Beechamwood Boy. He is over his favourite course and distance with a light weight and under the weight conditions is very well in. Main danger could be Good Traveller who is also nicely in at the weights and Richard Fourie rides for Michael Roberts. The gelding had a tough draw around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn last time out. Teflon Man has some smart Cape form over the trip and with a handy galloping weight he should be competitive while Captain Bombshell won the Marula Sprint over course and distance and there should not be much between him and Sun Blushed.
In the card opener, Quid Pro Quo was a comfortable winner over course and distance when shedding her maiden. At her penultimate start she was narrowly beaten by Just Reckless who finished runner-up in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery last Saturday. However, Richard Fourie has jumped ship to ride Woza Nawe for Peter Muscutt after she made a promising debut in the soft at Hollywoodbets Greyville and can go one better. Of the others, Hot Lava found good market support on debut but was well beaten. It was soft going that day and the winner, Ibhele has since franked that form.
One of the better bets on the card should be Teriyaki in the second. This is a modest line-up but there are a number of first timers in the race so watch the betting. Teriyaki has been in the money at his last three starts and with Fourie taking the ride he is the obvious choice. Flyingcool made a promising debut at long odds for Gary Rich and is sure to come on from the experience and could be a threat.
The third is a tricky maiden. Run To Rio disappointed when taking the turn on the turf for the first time after three good runs over this course and distance. Stuart Ferrie’s runner should be in the mix come the line. The juvenile filly Glamorz ran a cracker on the poly last run and was closing fast on the well exposed winner. She has a light weight and must have a big chance. Cats Pajamas found some market support on debut and was a creditable third in spite of racing green. That run should have brought him on for Frank Robinson. Fourie rides a first timer for Glen Kotzen in Mr Hotstepper so any market support should be taken seriously.
It’s a tough one to round off the card but Shona Kirsty Ives has been a beaten favourite at her last three and is due a change of fortune. Rachel Venniker gets down to her absolute minimum weight for Michael Roberts and the inference is obvious. Shanta’s Pride has her issues but showed up well first time back from a break. Fourie rides for Muscutt which is always an encouraging sign. Maggie Smith is lightly raced and has been consistent of late for Wendy Whitehead. Her last two outings on this course has seen her in the money and she has another strong chance again.
