The Pinnacle Stakes over 1500m that heads the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card on Sunday will have punters scratching their heads. Many of the runners are making their way back to the track after short breaks but look much more at home over a furlong or three further. However, Stuart Ferrie’s runner Gladarotian is at home over the trip and is well weighted in spite of shouldering top weight. He has a handy draw and should make a race of it. Danger could be The Shepherd who is more than useful and was well behaved on the gate last time out when winning comfortably. The extra furlong will suit and if he gets out on terms again he could make it hot for Gladatorian. Queue Wing is never far back. He may just have been in need of his most recent effort and with the best of the draw and a handy weight he should be competitive.
My One And Only can get the Pick 6 off to a winning start. She made a cracking debut for Barend Botes over course and distance and was well supported in the betting. She should go one better here as Woza Nawe returns from a rest after taking on males last time out. Prior to that she had promising form behind the likes of Quid Pro Quo and if not short of a gallop could trouble the likely favourite.
In the fourth Always Shining has finished a close-up second in his last three starts including on this course. He stays the trip and looks to be the obvious choice for Dennis Bosch to dress up for the winner’s enclosure. However, MJ Odendaal sends out the improving Carnival Park to spoil the party. He has a tricky draw to contend with but has improved with each outing and has S’Manga Khumalo at the helm. A possible road bump could be Mike de Kock’s gelding Artist’s Model who found some market support on debut and was not disgrace in the soft ground. Improvement is expected from his handy draw and any market support must be respected.
The fifth is a tricky handicap. Professor Lupin took on much stronger last time out and was only beaten a length. He has a fair weight to carry but Alyson Wright is never shy to take advantage of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance and that could be enough to see the grey home. But it will not be easy. Mask On switches to Hollywoodbets Scottsville but his Greyville form has been solid of late. If he can hold onto that form down the straight course he must have a strong chance in this line-up. Neerah takes on males but showed up well in her first start for her new stable over course and distance. She races in steel shoes which is of concern but the blinkers stay on. Master Bling has improved in blinkers and has won his last two on the poly. He took a five-point jump in the handicap for that win which could end his winning sequence.
Andre Nel saddles two runners in the sixth in Selukwe and the mare Lillybet. Both have chances but pick could be Selukwe who has been close-up in his last two since his last win, both over shorter. He reverts to what now looks to be his best trip. Field Marshal was narrowly beaten by Tobacconist when taking on open company for the first time and going a trip. He has a handy galloping weight and must have a strong chance taking on a five-year-old. Tobacconist has won his last two but is now 1.5kg worse off with Field Marshal which should see the tables turned.
The last is an open handicap but No Filter was a comfortable winner last time out and is at her best over this trip. She can follow up for Tienie Prinsloo with No Filter looking to be the pick of his three runners. Shipholia was closing quickly on Lunarcam over course and distance last Sunday and backs up a week later. The second-run-after-a-layoff syndrome could come into play here but a repeat puts her in with a solid winning chance. Captain’s Christy looks well held by Shiphola on their last meeting but this was her first run back since March and Mark Dixon’s runner can get a lot closer. Prinsloo also saddles Rugger Lover who was a winner over course and distance last time out. She is way out in the handicap but loves this course and only has 52kg to shoulder.
The first two on the card could throw up a curved ball with many first timers, but judging on trainer’s comments, none are expected to threaten the judges. Of those that have run, Vihaan’s Web showed up well at his second start after a lengthy break. He was a well-beaten second but the winner, Luhamba Phambili, got an over 80MR handicap rating for that win. JP’s Palace started at long odds on debut for Darryl Moore but caught the eye with a promising third. He is sure to come on from that effort and does have the best of the draw given current trends of bunching up on the inside rail. Rich Folks Hoax has been gelded since his last effort where he made good improvement second time out. But he may prefer further and could possibly need this outing.
There are also a number of first timers in the second but trainer’s comments are not encouraging. Of those that have run, Panthera Unica has been knocking on the door and goes well this course and distance. I was a good effort last run for Baredn Botes and she can go one better. The Ghost has been given a thumbs-up by Paul Lafferty who is expecting a big effort. She has not missed a place in four outings and should be up there again.
