The start of South Africa’s three-month Champion Season is just a week away with the Independent on Saturday raceday kicking off the season. But there is still business at hand and punters face a testing card on the turf at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday which could provide some valuable pointers to the months ahead.
The card is headed by three Gr3 races, two for juveniles and the G3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes for fillies and mares, the race named in honour of Drier who was regarded as the ‘King of Scottsville’ before he retired.
The opening feature is the Gr3 TABGold Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m where Mike Miller sends out Just Reckless who ran a cracker behind the highly rated Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery in a strong field. Both her wins have come over this course which is always a plus and Miller has stayed with Kabelo Matsunyane who rode her in the Nursery. Justin Snaith sends out Dark Winter who was never comfortable around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when favourite and making her local debut. She should have benefitted from that outing and her Cape form is useful. Siberian Winter was well-fancied in the market on debut and duly obliged for Michael Roberts. The run should have brought her on a little more while Prom Queen made good improvement on her feature race debut to shed her maiden next time out. She looks to be on the up.
In the males equivalent, the Gr3 TABGold Godolphin Barb Stakes Snaith holds a strong hand in with Impact Investor and Makazole. The former made good improvement on his debut effort and won well. He looks to be the stable elect and likely to start favourite. Miller sends out Fine One who ran a disappointing race in the Gr1 SA Nursery in soft ground but his form before that over course and distance is difficult to fault. He should be in the firing line. Louis Goosen saddles Ibhele who is well acquainted with this course and was narrowly beaten last time out. He should make a bold bid while Cymric was a runaway maiden winner last start after two forward showings. He looks to be more than useful.
Snaith could well be in line for a feature race treble when he sends out Kwinta’s Light in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes. Kwinta’s Light was up against some of the finest sprinters in the country in the Gr1 Cape Flying Championship at her last start and she was not disgraced behind top sprinter Dyce. Her form before that to slightly weaker is hard to fault and if at her best she rates the one to beat. Asiye Phambili is back on home turf with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape season. Narrowly beaten in the Sceptre Stakes over 1200m, her step up in trip did not yield any rewards. She appears to race fresh and this trip on this course will suit her well. Snaith has a second string to his bow in Baltic Secret who was less than two lengths back to Kwinta’s Light in the Southern Cross Stakes at her penultimate start. She was all at sea around the Hollywoodbets Greyville turn when making her local debut and that run coupled with a straight course will make her dangerous.
In the Listed In Full Flight Handicap, a race named after one of South Africa’s champions, King Of The Gauls will be looking to build on his recent success. Tony Rivalland holds his charge in high regard and gelding appears to have had the desired effect. He has a wide draw to contend with but only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Cliff Hanger will be a threat as he has some smart Highveld form in good company and Johan Janse van Vuuren has declared first time blinkers. Raven Black is unbeaten since shedding his maiden but returns from a lengthy break. Kabelo Matsunyane has made the trip from the Highveld to stay with the ride and any betting support for Brett Crawford’s runner must be respected. Quasiforsure is a class act and has been up against stronger in the Cape. Peter Muscutt’s runner has a big weight but is effective over this trip and if not short of a gallop he will make his presence felt.
The first is a tricky maiden. Hurricane Cat started favourite on debut but finished six lengths behind the winner. Close -up in third in the race was Izbulo that started a lengthy odds along with Cape Capri who was only a length further back. All three runners should come on from their debut efforts. Disting has shown up well in two runs in the Cape. With Richard Fourie aboard she is likely to start favourite. Add Diyarani to the mix who also put up a promising showing on debut. Judging by trainer’s comments, not much is expected of the first timers. The betting may well prove your best guide.
The opening leg of the Place Accumulator is another competitive maiden. Flyingcool and Field Marshal met last time out with the older runner finishing a length ahead after the benefit of one outing. Well drawn, both go the turn for the first time and should be competitive. The grey Professor Lupin has been a touch disappointing but has not been far back in all five of his starts. He stays the trip and the stable is in mustard form at present which is in his favour.
Dean Kannemeyer could hold the key to the first leg of the Pick 6. Spelling Bee was well supported in the market when making his local debut and shed his maiden in good fashion. That form has worked out quite well although he does take on a useful field in his handicap debut. Stable rider Craig Zackey puts up over-weight when he will have had the choice of the well performed stable companion Mister Master Starter who was a close-up third on the poly last time out. Nelson Bay has the best of the draw but Richard Fourie has deserted to ride stable companion The Shepherd. Nelson Bay is 2kg better off with Master Josh on the last meeting. Alyson Wrights gelding is holding form well but got a six-point hit in the handicap for his last win.
The last is a wide open handicap but Political Party has run two cracking races over a furlong shorter and the step up in trip should suit. Mr Molony has a tough draw to contend with but has been in good form of late and can go one better. With cheek pieces back on, Jazz Festival was running on late from a tough draw last time out. Fourie picks up the ride from a much better gate.
