Mike de Kock could be the trainer to follow at Hollywoodbets Scottsville next Wednesday where both of his runners look to have bright chances in their respective race.
The two-year-old Ingqwele runs in the seventh where he takes on some salted older runners but most are struggling handicappers. De Kock has entered him in the Gr1 World Pool Moment of the Day Premiers Champion Stakes on Gold Cup day and he will need to win here to be considered as a runner. He took time to shed his maiden which was over course and distance last time out but he can build on that showing.
Mark Dixon sends out Jazz Festival who came good in blinkers last time out and could be a threat. He only got a three-point raise in the handicap and had consistent form before that. Attaboy could also be a danger as Paul Lafferty’s runner is three pounds down in the handicap in spite of a good last run to weaker. Add a 4kg claiming apprentice in the saddle and he must have some claim to the winner’s box.
De Kock saddles Sparkling Jubilee in the sixth. She is up in class but only got a two-point raise in the handicap for her last win. She has a plum draw over her optimum trip and could prove to be the best bet on an otherwise tricky card. Perilla won well first time out for Dennis Bosch after being a little inconsistent on the Highveld before that but can follow up for her new stable. Gorgeous Girl showed up well first run out of the maidens and has come to hand nicely. Epic View is showing signs of finding her feet off her lower mark and the blinkers come off.
The card opener consists mostly of first timers but of those that have run, Master Du Rouvray found market support on debut but winner Definitely Yes was the money horse on the day. Mark Dixon’s runner raced green on the day and should come on from that effort. My Boy Lolipop disappointed in the soft over a furlong further last run but has gone best over course and distance. Got The Word can do better than his last start after a promising debut. Of the debutante’s Richard Fourie rides Henry Harvey for Gareth van Zyl and may be worth following in the market.
In the second, Night Rocker made a smart debut over course and distance and with the experience under his girth he can go one better. Record High has shown up well in two outings, both on the poly. He improved from one run to the next and should make a bold bid. Silver Savage was all at sea when tried in blinkers and they come off. On his best showing he will be a strong contender.
In the first leg of the Pick 6 Miss Munroe is the obvious choice after making good improvement at her second outing. With Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance she could prove difficult to beat. Blowin In The Wind does seem much better than her first two local efforts. Both of those rans were in the soft and she can do better on firmer ground. Lightinthedarkness was a modest fourth on debut but she should come on with the experience. However, she has a stout pedigree which suggests further.
In the first leg of the first jackpot, There She Goes is 5kg better off for a two-length beating with likely favourite Pretti Victory when last they met. Weiho Marwing has declared first time blinkers on the five-year-old mare so she has plenty in her favour. Pretti Victory is unbeaten since returning from the Cape. She has been climbing up the ratings and under top weight could find it a little tougher this time around. Russian Doll took on males last run in her third run back from a break. She should strip at her peak and will be a big threat to the selection. Mist In Scotland took full toll when dropping in the handicap last time out. She has been shunted up eight points for that win which could have put paid to her chances here.
The fifth is a competitive staying race Last One Standing goes this trip for the first time but should see it out. The form of his last run has held up and he could prove to be the one to beat. Continental Express has been runner-up at his last two including to Vihaan’s Bomb who is bidding for a fourth straight win and is unbeaten under Richard Fourie. However, Dean Kannemeyer’s colt is now 3kg better off in the handicap which should be enough to turn the tables. De Kock’s gelding Mambo Come Tesio stays the trip well and has been up against some fair stayers of late. He should have a say.
The last is a wide open maiden where Gary Rich saddles Dee Day who was run out of late over a mile on the poly last time out. The switch to the turf could suit. Tipperary raids from the Highveld and is better than her last run after showing up well on this course at her penultimate start. She does not meet a strong maiden field. Firecracker was much improved last outing when going a furlong further. She appears to have come to hand and from a good draw should be competitive. Perfectly Picked has shown some ability and was not too far back last run. She has a money chance.
