With the Hollywoodbets Durban July behind us, we look forward to Gold Cup day at season end but there is still business to be conducted. A Pinnacle Stakes heads up the card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Wednesday and Gareth van Zyl’s charge Imilenzeyokududuma, who has been close-up in recent features and looks well weighted especially as Van Zyl has engaged a 4kg claimer who has already shown promise. Captain Casey, who has his third run after a break for Tony Rivalland looks a threat on his best form over a more suitable trip. Justin Snaith saddles Itsrainingwilliam who is way better than his last run in the Gr1 Hollywoodbets Gold Challenge. Prior to that he was not far off Challenge winner Dave The King on this course. He will have a big say in this race. Royal Swan Master has credentials as he ran Flag Man to within four lengths at his penultimate start and was a close-up second on the poly last run for Dean Kannemeyer.
Best bet on the day could be the Snaith-trained Dark who has some solid form in features. Snaith tried her over further last run but back over a Scottsville sprint she could have the measure of this field. Paul Lafferty has a much more experienced jockey aboard Arjuna who made a promising debut over course and distance while Lady Eli Mo was much improved in blinkers last run and has a 4kg claimer aboard for Weiho Marwing.
In the first leg of the Bi-Pot French Flame has made steady improvement for Dean Kannemeyer and although this is his sixth start the extra furlong should be in his favour from a plum draw. Parisian Walkway won well second time out when stepped up to a mile. Alec Laird is a rare Highveld visitor so any market support must be respected. Glen Kotzen sends out the filly Spirit Of Levana who shows some promise winning at her second start. She gets the sex allowance and a useful 4kg claimer so her chances cannot be written off. Stable companion Commanding ran no sort of race in the Gr1 Gold Medallion and is another to watch in the betting.
In the first leg of the Place Accumulator Silver Savage has been knocking on the door for some time now but Mark Dixon has put him back to a sprint with blinkers which could do the trick. Tripp T has issues but has been a model of consistency. If not pushed too hard in the finish he could finally shed his maiden.
Mc Dazzler fell foul of the iniquitous TCO2 testing when odds-on for his last intended start but the switch to the turf should not be a problem in the first leg of the Pick 6. He has run two smart races on the poly for Dean Kannemeyer but faces some useful opposition. My Boy Lollipop found one too good for him in the well supported Kannemeyer-trained Definitely Yes on debut and Frank Robinson will be hoping that he can go one better over a furlong further. Ombudsman made a smart debut for Sean Tarry where he did find some market support. He will enjoy the extra and the experience should count in his favour.
Gary Rich is a vastly under-rated trainer and he sends out Blind Speed in the fifth. She has improved nicely and should much prefer this trip. Any market support must be respected. Laugh Till I Cry started favourite in a sprint debut for Glen Kotzen and was not far back when sent over a mile at her nest start. She is sure to improve on that showing. I Won’t Give Up has put in two promising sprints for Paul Lafferty. She has been rested but given that she has been stepped up in trip suggests that she is fit and ready. State Secret comes from the strong Kannemeyer yard. She has her first local run after making her debut in the Cape and steps up to a mile. Another to watch in the betting.
The sixth is a competitive maiden but Future Flo has been knocking on the door for some time now for Michael Roberts and the step up in trip could finally be what he’s been looking for. Red Mountain has been making steady progress for Robbie Hill and he too goes this trip for the first time. His pedigree suggests that he will see out the extra comfortably. Burning Man was much improved in blinkers when stepped up in trip and should have a good chance in this line-up while stable companion James Fitzjames showed up well when runner-up on the poly but disappointed on the turf next time out. This trip should suit.
The eighth is a wide open handicap but United Nation was possibly out-classed in the Gr1 Gold Medallion. However, he was so far back that is may prove best to ignore that run from Glen Kotzen’s charge although he does take on some useful opposition. So take that form on trust. Licence To Thrill has gone close over course and distance and is better off in the weights with the likes of Voldemort and Winter Waves who both have decent recent form. The blinkers stay on and he could start at decent odds for Mike Miller. Celtic Chief has come good since arriving in KZN. His last two starts have been in the soft and with firmer going he should be competitive for Andre Nel.
The last is another competitive handicap but Rafeef’s Choice has been holding form and was second best behind Khethiwe’s Destiny last time out who was well fancied in the Gr2 Golden Slipper on Saturday so keep an eye on that form. Shanta’s Pride seldom runs a bad race and goes well this course and distance and with a 4kg claimer up she could make it home for Peter Muscutt.
