Hollywoodbets Scottsville with its lush turf after two months of spring treatment has attracted a mighty card for Sunday’s meeting, a card that punters who are looking forward to the next few weeks should pay close attention to.
The card is headed by the River Indigo Handicap, a non-black Type for fillies and mares where Mike Miller could hold the aces. Warrior Royale followed up her maiden win with a comfortable handicap victory and only has 53kg to shoulder. Tristan Godden rides and she could be good enough to take the steep rise in class. Peter Muscutt saddles Bevies Delight who has finished runner-up in her last two after a break of almost a year and should strip at her peak. She has the best of the draw and she is at home over the trip. Mascherina was outclassed by See It Again in a Pinnacle last time out but has cracking form on this course and at best will go close. Miller has a second string to his bow in Querari Rose who has won two of her three starts. She also comes into the race with a light weight and Mathew Thackeray keeps the ride.
The River Indigo is backed up by two Pinnacle Stakes which have attracted useful fields.
A full complement of 16 will face the starter in the Open A Tabgold Account Pinnacle Stakes over 1200m where William Robertson will have plenty of supporters after beating Lucky Lad two runs back and finishing second to the smart Dyce last time out. Apprentice Trent Mayhew stays with the ride but Corne Spies’ gelding has drawn on the outside of the track and if last Wednesday’s races are anything to go by, it was another dash for the inside rail.
With the Christmas Handicap on the horizon, there are a few warming up including Narina Trogon, and the Peter Muscutt pairing of Quasiforsure and Formagear. Quasiforsure has been tried over further and at one stage of his career was being primed for a crack at the Hollywoodbets Durban July but he does appear to be a better sprinter while Formagear’s last win was over this distance but the Christmas Handicap trip would be more to his liking. Michael Roberts saddle the smart sprinter Sun Blushed but he has not been out since the Mercury Sprint back in July so could need this while Imilenzeyokududuma is also back from a break and may also need it.
Gladatorian, fresh off a smart finishing effort in the G2 Charity Mile behind Winchester Mansion looks very well in at the weights for the opening leg of the Pick 6 in spite of his impost of 62kg. He boast cracking form in top Highveld company and Stuart Ferrie’s charge is likely to start a short priced favourite.
His biggest danger could come in the form of Gareth Van Zyl’s gelding Natyam who put Betway Summer Cup hopeful Cape Eagle to the sword last time out where the latter was well in at the weights. Natyam is smart on his day and could make things difficult for Gladatorian.
Celtic Beauty is a useful filly who has her third run after a break. She has been up against males in two Pinnacle Stakes since her come back and was far from disgraced behind See It Again, staying on gamely over a mile. Robbie Hill could upset all with Navajo Nation who was not far back in a recent sprint having drawn 14. He has had two sprints in the lead-up to this race and the step up in distance will suit.
The card opener is the first juvenile race of the season in KZN and as per usual Mike Miller is well represented with three runners of which Hold The Key with stable first call rider Tristan Godden in the saddle could be the pick judged on jockey engagements. Kom Naidoo also likes to get them out early so watch the market on Warofdynamite who is the first runner in KZN for new stallion Declarationofpeace.
The fifth is a tricky handicap but Vision To Achieve has been runner-up at her last two and Paul Gadsby’s filly has improved in blinkers. However, she does take a jump in class but a corresponding drop in weight and Sean Veale staying with the ride is an indication of her chances. Russian Doll got home narrowly when tried over a furlong further last time out. She is back over what looks to be her optimum trip and Michael Roberts has booked a 4kg claimer for the ride. Patants Heir is lightly raced and was in need of her last run when drawn wide after a three-month break. She is one to watch in the market. War Empress seldom gives less than her best and was a comfortable winner last time out. She got a five-point raise in the handicap but still comes into this race with a handy galloping weight over her favourite trip.
In the last, Poursomesugaronme has been knocking on the door for some time now and although most of her recent form has been on the poly, a switch to turf could bring out best in her. Mississippi Spice showed very little in two starts before returning from a break much improved. She took her maiden in good fashion and although it was not the strongest field she won with authority and does look progressive.
