A competitive eight-race card faces punters at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday but there could be a few value opportunities for punters although they may have to wait until the last two races.
The last is a competitive handicap by Louis Goosen could have an ace up his sleeve in Cabinet Shuffle. The gelding has a wide draw to contend with but has tumbled down the handicap and coupled with a 4kg claimer Goosen’s thinking is obvious.
However, as mentioned, it is an open race and Wiley Riley has consistent recent form in useful company. He does shoulder top weight and his recent form has been on the poly but he should be competitive in this field. Dean Kannemeyer saddles Bugalugs who won second time of asking at long odds. He should come on from that effort as this further trip should suit. Down By The River is another to consider as he comes in with a handy weight and goes well on this course.
Peter Muscutt saddles Mascherina in the seventh who is lightly raced but has only once missed a cheque in six starts. She has her third run after a break and should be spot on for this event. However, Robbie Hill could have other ideas. He sends out Mountainsofthemoon who has not been far back in useful company of late. She has started to long odds but with a handy galloping weight she should be competitive in this field from the best of the draw. Malcolm’s Dream is not the most reliable but is smart on her day. If she puts it in she will go close to winning. While Zinikele is 1.5kg better off with Malcolm’s Dream on their last meeting beaten two lengths. There should be very little between them if that form pans out as expected.
There are many first timers in the card opener and the form of those that have run does not reveal much. However, Arjuna made a promising debut before taking on males at her second start with an apprentice up. Muzi Yeni takes over the reins for Paul Lafferty. Sweet Dreamer found some market support on debut, possibly because of the Richard Fourie / Glen Kotzen combination. The filly was well beaten but the combination go in again. Arctic Fury was a well beaten fourth on debut but the winner looks useful. Chase Maujean stays aboard for Doug Campbell. Of the first timers, Lucrative comes from a strong stable with Dean Kannemeyer’s comment being, include in all exotics.
In the second there are many lightly raced runners stepping up in trip. However, Burning Man was a beaten favourite over course and distance last time out and has been close-up at his last two. He should go close. Dapper has not been out of the money in five outings and was narrowly beaten over a mile on this course last time out. These two are the form contenders. Kinnikinnik has not been far in two sprints and now jumps in trip with first time blinkers. Komandante has been improving slowly and the step up in trip could suit.
The Doug Campbell-trained Hurricane Flight has come on with each outing and looks primed for the opening leg of the Pick 6. Facile and Yellow Jacket meet again with Kom Naidoo’s filly having the edge. When the two met, Facile was the favourite with Yellow Jacket out at 100-1. Yellow Jacket had modest form before arriving in Naidoo’s yard but blinkers appear to have brought out the best. Facile has only had two outings and both step up in trip. Silver Jubilee had a tough draw in her KZN debut and was not too far back. She also steps up in trip but has the best of the draw and a pedigree to match.
The first leg of the jackpot is a tricky fillies handicap where Mark Dixon’s pair of Hot Strike and Escapologist finished 1-2 when last they met over course and distance with a neck between them. The latter is now 1 kg better off and should be able to turn the tables on Hot Strike who is not the easiest back home. Escape Artist was just over a length back in third place in that same race and is now 2kg’s better off with the winner so Sean Tarry’s runner should be right there. Faizah is useful and found her best form last time out. She got a four-pound raise in the handicap but looks capable of going back-to-back.
Muscutt sends out Except Temptation in the fifth who has been a model of consistency of late and goes well over course and distance but he does face some tough opposition from the likes of The Real Prince who is highly regarded but is lightly raced. He was well beaten at only his second start that being on the poly. He was impressive on debut and the switch to turf down the straight could bring out his true potential. Common Grounds has come good of late, his last win being over course and distance beating Except Temptation but the latter is now 2kg better off in the handicap. Good Traveller is long overdue another win but got a two-pound raise in the handicap for his third last time out and could find it tough again. Strathclyde is bidding for a third straight win and is another to consider after winning from a tough draw last time out but did get a five-pound penalty.
Northern Warrior has been a soldier for Michael Roberts and was ridden by an inexperienced apprentice last time out but was not far back. He goes well over course and distance and should be competitive with Rachel Venniker back in the irons. KZN trainer’s log leader Alyson Wright saddles Purple Powahouse who has been a little costly to follow but is always there abouts. He takes a further drop in the handicap and should be involved again although he switches to the turf.
