Alec Laird is having some success in KZN as he ducks the hard ground of the Highveld winter and he has a couple of bright chances at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday.
He saddles the lightly raced New Mexico in the first leg of the Pick 6 who takes a rather steep rise in the handicap but could well be up to the challenge. He ran a cracker behind the useful Officer In Command last time out coming off a win on this course. He only has 52.5kg to shoulder and Muzi Yeni in the saddle. Dean Kannemeyer has three competitive runners and judged on jockey bookings the recent winner Rosh Kedesh with Craig Zackey aboard looks the pick. He is 3kg better off with Strathclyde given their last meeting and 1kg better off with Ibutho both of which are in with winning chances. The Shepherd can be tricky at the start and lost his rider last time out. However, he is useful on his day and a win would not come as a surprise.
The first race of the day, a maiden over 1200m sees some well related runners making their debut so keep an eye on the betting. Of those that have run, Querari Rose made a smart debut over the distance at Hollywoodbets Greyville where she had all of Panthera Unica and Magic Maverick close-up but behind her. There is not likely to be much between these three. Lady Lancelot appears to be making progress and can feature while of the first timers, Princess Goldie makes some appeal.
In the second, Claud Monet has drawn a touch wide but found steady market support second time out but was out-paced late. The step up in trip should suit Michelle Rix’s runner. Kola Tonic was a beaten favourite last run after a smart previous showing. He can do better this trip with visiting jockey Marco van Rensburg aboard. Chief Runner is a very well related first timer and has the best of the draw. He is definitely one to watch in the market. Amor Fati has shown some promise in his first three outings for Frank Robinson and the step up in trip could be what he is looking for.
Blackberry Malt can get the jackpot off to a winning start as has come to hand again and was a close-up second on this course last time out. Calvin Habib stays with the ride for Glen Kotzen. Laird and Yeni team up with the lightly raced Birthright. He gets lumps of weight from the entire field and showed his wellbeing with a close-up second early last month. Wiccan Warrior is smart on his day but has not been out since April. Gareth van Zyl has stepped him up to a trip in spite of the break which suggests that he is doing well in the home gallops. Positive Attitude has his first run for Dennis Bosch but has also been rested. He is likely to need this outing given his previous efforts over ground.
The fifth is a competitive handicap but Riccardo has shown steady recent form and was close-up from a wide draw over course and distance last time out. Dennis Bosch and Rachel Venniker have a good record together and Riccardo can add to that and could be one of the better bets on the card. Connoisseur has been improving again and should be close to his best this time around for Duncan Howells. Jazz Festival has improved since Mark Dixon added blinkers and he goes well on this course while Shotgun Willie lightly raced but is another that has come to hand of late.
In the sixth, Nightjar came in for a ton of market support last time out but the gamble came up short. With a more experienced rider aboard over a more suitable trip he can pay back some of the losses. Global Movement has come to hand of late and was beaten less than a length by the progressive Mike’s Mazarin last time out. Allaroundtheworld is always game although his best recent form has been on the poly. Ladies World is another with recent poly form and has done well in her two starts out of the maidens. The form of her last run has held up so she must have a decent winning chance.
The seventh is a tricky handicap but Hot Strike has been taking on stronger of late and Mark Dixon’s mare has not been far back. The drop in class and distance can see her back in the winner’s enclosure. Aspoestertjie has come to hand recently and should be super fit as she steps up to a mile. Blush Of Dawn has been well placed by Garth Puller and after six wins is still near the bottom of the handicap. The mare’s recent form has been on the poly but she will have a strong chance in this line-up. Vermacilli showed up well at long odds over the distance last run from a tough draw. She has the best gate here and a handy galloping weight.
In the last, Philispiel is a short-cut specialist and was narrowly beaten over course and distance last time out. Michael Roberts has booked 4kg claimer Brevan Plaatjies for the ride and the youngster can make all. Rafa’s Boy is a lightly raced five-year-old who is struggling off his current mark. However, he has shown flashes of ability and at best he could have the measure of this field. Jet Legacy got the better of Philispiel in a tight finish last time out but is now 3.5kg worse off taking the apprentice allowance into account which should see the tables turned. Connery comes off a maiden win in the Cape but he had shown steady from leading up to that win. He also gets 4KG claimer up and the Cape form may prove stronger than local.
