In many cases race horses come to form in yearly cycles but whether or not Sean Tarry takes cognisant of that observation is open to speculation but his horses do tend to follow that trend, especially when it comes to the big Hollywoodbets Scottsville meeting.
Recently retired Thunderstruck was a case in point. After winning the Gr1 Gold Medallion, he was in the wilderness until finding form in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint the following season where he pushed star sprinter Gimme A Prince all the way to the line.
The Tarry-trained Lucky Lad falls into that same category when he lines up in the Gr1 Golden Horse Sprint that headlines the four Gr1’s at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Saturday. A facile winner of the Gr1 Gold Medallion his form tailed off for the balance of the season. He has since returned from a lengthy break and posted his well being with victory last time out. He will be fully primed for Saturday’s race and one can expect a big effort.
Brett Crawford’s strategy of prepping his horses on the Highveld and travelling has been a sound strategy and he saddles Surjay who was beaten under a length by Lucky Lad in the Gr2 Jehan Malherbe Senor Santa Stakes. He meets his rival on 2kg better terms which in theory puts Crawford’s runner ahead of Lucky Lad, however I expect Lucky Lad to make the required improvement. Duncan Howells saddles Cruise Control for the first time, the gelding having won his last three starts on the trot in PE. Horses from that region cannot be written off lightly and he make them all gallop. The Lucky Houdalakis-trained Dyce gives lumps of weight to the entire field although his recent form has been below par. However, he has since been gelded and if finding his best form he can give this field weight and a beating.
Winter Cloud is in a similar position to Lucky Lad when she lines up in the Gr1 The Witness SA Fillies Sprint. Candice Bass-Robinson’s filly is no stranger to Hollywoodbets Scottsville having won the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes before following up second to Mrs Geriatrix in the Gr1 Allan Robertson last season. She comes off two comfortable victories in the Cape and if she has travelled well she could be the horse to beat in what otherwise looks to be an open affair. Tarry saddles Mrs Browing who had all of Time For Orchids, White Pearl and One Fell Swoop behind her when winning the Gr2 TAB Camellia Stakes at her last start and meets them on the same weight terms. Richard Fourie retains the ride. October Morn beat Asiye Phambili in the Gr2 Cartier Sceptre Stakes this summer and has finished runner-up in two subsequent feature race outings giving Bass-Robinson a smart second string to her bow. Asiye Phambili won well over course and distance in the Gr3 Dennis Drier Poinsettia Stakes when back with Duncan Howells after a spell in the Cape. She is effective over a mile and given that this race will be run at a cracking gallop it should suit.
The Gr1 Gold Medallion sees many runners in with strong winning chances. One More has only had one outing for Lucky Houdalakis and winning well on debut. Multiple winners have come out of the form line to back up his claim and he could be the one to beat. Peter Muscutt is having a good season and saddles recent winner Cold Shine who should start at competitive odds. The gelding made his debut in feature company in the Cape, finishing second to Roman Agent with current sensation One Stripe well beaten. He ran well below par next time out before returning to KZN. He won rather comfortably on his return and although it was not the strongest field he was finishing off his race well and an extra furlong and a look at the course will count in his favour. Cymric is held in high regard by Johan Janse van Vuuren and he won well when sent out favourite for the Gr3 Godolphin Barb Stakes on this course. Van Vuuren admitted that he had been reluctant to geld his charge but eventually listened to the advice from his jockeys and Cymric is unbeaten since the operation. Truth has been a runaway winner of both his starts for Candice Dawson, winning by seven lengths last time out. That was over the Turffontein 1400m so he will be well suited to this course and is another with winning credentials.
Gimmie’s Countess is the full sister to last year’s Golden Horse winner Gimme A Prince and will have many supporters when Dean Kannemeyer’s charge lines up in the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship. On debut, Gimme’s Countess was a runaway maiden winner on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly beating subsequent easy winner Spirit Of Levana. She is a superb specimen and appears to have the ability to match, but she does take on some more exposed opposition. Just Reckless finished runner-up to Little Ballerina in the Gr2 SA Fillies Nursery and the form behind Little Ballerina has proved almost infallible as Just Reckless followed up by winning the Gr3 Strelitzia Stakes. Mike Miller is having a good run of late and victory here would not be out of turn. Symphony In White took on males when seven lengths behind the highly promising One Stripe before winning well over the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth five furlongs in a manner that should suit this track. Kindred Heart also comes off some Little Ballerina form, beaten less than a length at The Vaal and Piere Strydom retains the ride.
