Stuart Ferrie appears to have teed himself up for a good day at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday where he has strong chances in a number of races including the Pinnacle Stakes that heads up the eight-race card.
Ferrie saddles the super quick gelding Lunarcam that goes well over course and distance. Late last season he was runner-up in a two-furlong dash that does not appear in his official formline as it was a bit of a novelty race. However, here he should be involved in the finish whichever way it goes. Gareth van Zyl has two live runners in Shipholia and Luhamba Phambili. The latter got a hefty rating after his debut win but comes into this race with only 52kg to shoulder. He looks progressive and any market support must be taken seriously. Marco van Rensburg has been signed up by the stable and partners Shipholia but he would not have been able to make the weight on the stable companion. However, Shipholia is seldom far back and cannot be written off lightly. Of the balance, Donquerari ran a cracker for Louis Goosen from a tough draw last time out. He must also have a winning chance in this line-up.
Possibly the best bet on the card could come in the first leg of the Place Accumulator when Frank Robinson sends out My Boy Lollipop. The gelding has shown up well in some competitive maidens and given the exposed form of this field he should be able to make it into the winner’s enclosure. Biggest threat could come in the form of One Scotch. Paul Lafferty’s runner showed up nicely on debut from a deep Hollywoodbets Greyville draw and he should come on nicely with the experience. Dark horse could be Glen Kotzen’s runner Boom Shakalaka who made a fair Hollywoodbets Kenilworth debut, but that was back on January of this year. He was not friendless in the betting that afternoon so it may pay to keep an eye on the market. It is difficult to make out a case for most of the balance of the field but Green Mile steps out for his third run after a long break between his first and second outings.
The opening leg of the pick 6 is an open maiden with thin form to rely on. However, Gary Rich could have the answer in Blind Speed. The daughter of New Predator has improved with every outing and was running on well over course and distance last time out. She has a big chance if she can build on that effort. Yellow Jacket will test them all. Kom Naidoo likes his runners to go forward and she was staying on nicely from a tough draw last time out. These two look the form principals but keep an eye on the regally bred Queen Of Air who makes her debut.
The fourth is another competitive maiden. Bella’s Pablo has taken time to come to hand for Peter Muscutt but the gelding’s form has improved since arriving back from the Cape. He stays the trip well and knows the course which is all in his favour. Off The Charts has only his third outing but caught the eye last time out when going the mile in first time blinkers. Given his pedigree Paul Lafferty’s colt should enjoy every yard of this trip. Amigo has been a late starter for Louis Goosen but made marked improvement last run. He too should not be troubled by the extra. Tibbot Bourke is another that cannot be left out of any calculations. He has yet to run a bad race and the step up in trip could now be what the four-year-old is looking for.
Ferrie saddles the veteran galloper in the fifth who won his sixth race at long odds last time out. Although he carries top weight, he is never far back in any of his races and he can follow up in this company. Aberdeen was disappointing last run after showing something of a return to form at his previous start. However, Glen Kotzen’s gelding has done well on this course in the past and on his best showing he must have a strong chance. French Trip was only a maiden winner last run but that was his first outing for Duncan Howells and he won readily. His Cape maiden form was not too shabby and he could be progressive. Global Movement is obviously rock sound, this being his fourth outing in just twenty days, but Tienie Prinsloo was champion trainer in Kimberley where horses raced every other week on the dirt.
The last two are wide open handicaps. In the seventh, Rafeef’s Choice has not been out of the money in her last three over course and distance and is now 2.5kg better off with her recent conqueror Emerald Green and should be able to turn the tables even though she was two lengths behind Louis Goosen’s filly who was overdue that win. One Smart Cookie has won twice on this course in her last three starts, her only blip being in soft ground. She is a kilo better off with Emerald Green on their last meeting and if fit and well she must have a strong winning chance. Dean Kannemeyer’s filly Lucrative won well on debut and was then a beaten favourite second time out when going the turn for the first time. She was lumped with a big rating after her maiden win but she shed her maiden over course and distance and is one to watch in the market.
Music Is Life can play the right tune in the last. Gareth van Zyl’s charge improved last run when dropped in class and the blinkers back on. His recent form has been on the poly but he looks more than capable of recording his second win in this line-up. Teatime Tipple can possibly round off a good afternoon for Ferrie. The gelding has been trying a touch further of late but has also been facing stronger company. He should feature given his current form. Happy Wanderer has not been far back in recent outings and went close when taking on weaker last start. However, he only has 48kg to shoulder which should make him competitive.
