KZN Champion Trainer Gareth van Zyl is having second thoughts in keeping his Cape Town show on the road. Without strong local support and ‘big’ horses it is a difficult place to make a name for yourself.
However, he is top of the tree in KZN and he can get punters off to a winning start at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday where he saddles Are You Sure. The made a smart debut on this course and although she started at long odds that day the extra will suit and she can go one better. Rachel Venniker, fresh from a successful visit to Ascot in the UK partners the aptly named Ladyofdistinction who found some market support on debut. She finished close-up in spite of racing green and should come on from that effort.
There are many of first timers in the race but judging by trainer’s comments My One And Only got a cautious thumbs up from Barend Botes so is one to watch in the market
Garth Puller could have a good afternoon as he is set to saddle the favourites in the next three races.
Apex Predator may just have needed his last start after a five month break and can go one better to kick off the PA. Michelle Rix is biding her time until returning to the Cape and sends out Rosa Osiria who was much improved over course and distance last time out. Paul Lafferty sends out Immah who made a promising debut at lengthy odds and was close-up behind Apex Predator. Both should come on with the run so there is not likely to be much between them again. Immah’s stable companion The Iron Duke also got a cautious thumbs-up from Lafferty.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, Izibulo has been a beaten favourite at her last two and although she has been trying further and has the widest draw, she should go close again in this company. Stable companion Takatalvi improved nicely at her second start for Puller and should have more to come in this line-up. Warrior Royale found some market support on debut and was not beaten far. This trip should suit and from a handy draw she should make her presence felt. Call Me Harriet made some improvement when trying this distance for the first time and could be coming to hand.
Puller saddles Qondanekukhanyeni who has been a beaten favourite at her last two but she took the step up in trip in her stride last time out and should make another bold bid. Perfectly Picked was a length back to Qondanekukhanyeni at their last meeting and Wendy Whiteheads filly has been showing signs of coming to hand. She can finish closer this time around. Sweet Reunion improved nicely second time out when trying a mile. The extra should suit and with more improvement expected she cannot be left out of any calculations. Oh Mandy is lightly raced and steps up in trip. She showed promising improvement last run and Craig Zackey is back from leave for his boss Dean Kannemeyer.
In the fifth, Woodland Glade take on males and goes this 2400m trip for the first time. However, she should enjoy the extra and with a handy weight should go close. Quantifier is still an entire but stays the trip well and has his third run after a lay-off. He improved last run and should strip close to his peak. Fire Flare is never far back and was a close-up second last run. A repeat will see him in the mix along with Zako who also stays the trip and could be the pick of Alyson Wright’s runners with Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance the difference.
There is no easy ride to the end as the sixth is a highly competitive handicap with many of the runners switching from poly to turf. Two that have been on the turf recently are Pongola and Oh My Word Its Roy. Pongola did not have much luck from a difficult draw last time out in spite of a big drop in class. He has the best of the draw here and can do much better. Oh My Word Its Roy took on much stronger last start also from a difficult draw. He is up against more suitable opposition here and is at the bottom of the handicap. Final Destiny has been close-up on the poly over this distance at recent outings and is also at the bottom of the weights. Count Marsh is another veteran switching to the turf. He is better than his last run where he also had a tough draw.
The seventh is a tricky Conditional Graduation. Yogas Govender sends out Bourbon Warrior who raced in feature company second time out after shedding his maiden on debut. He is in a tricky contest but looks progressive. Salt ‘N Peppa made steady improvement to his recent maiden win. That was on the poly but he comes into this race with a handy galloping weight and does appear to have more to come. Now I Got You is struggling for his second win but was not far back when taking on a lot stronger last time out. He has a light weight and can finally pull one off. Beamonesque was never in the hunt from his wide draw and big weight last time out. He looks safely held on that showing but he has shown ability as his seven-length maiden romp bares testimony.
In the final race of the day, Grey Fantasy did not have much luck from her wide draw last time out and was probably in need of the outing. She has shown up well in good company and if anywhere near her best she should be a big runner. War Empress won well last start but only got a three-point raise in the handicap. She takes a big drop in class here and can follow up. Ethereal View is way better than her first run back from a lengthy break and like her stable companion has shown useful form in good company before shedding her maiden. Cape Capri shed her maiden last time out with subsequent winner Miss Ladyaterix six lengths adrift. The latter now carries 9kg more with Cape Capri only having to shoulder 48.5kg. She could be the dark horse in the field.
