William Robertson is back on one of his favourite courses and again Corne Spies appears to have picked the right race as the gelding is well in at the weights with all of the opposition in the African Holly Stakes over 1100m at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. His recent form his difficult to fault, second to star sprinter Dyce at his penultimate start and a winner at Scottsville last time out. He should start at the top of the boards again and all going well he should prove difficult to peg back.
However, Sun Blushed is smart on his day and Michael Roberts’ charge was only three lengths back to William Robertson when last they met. This was his first run back since finishing a length back to Surjay in the Gr1 Mercury Sprint and his recent outing should have sharpened him up. Mike de Kock saddles the promising filly Khethiwe’s Destiny who has only once been out of the money but has not been out since finishing behind Quid Pro Quo in the Gr Golden Slipper. Word from the stable is that this run should bring her on but she is clearly talented. Louis Goosen sends out the veteran Donquerari. He is a tough warrior who was touched off by the useful Cats Pajamas last time out. He has it all to do at the weights but has a money chance.
The card opener, a maiden over 1200m, could rest between One Armed Bandit and Fine Dining. One Armed Bandit ran well below expectations when sent over 1800m last time out but Paul Lafferty has brought him back to a sprint and he looks the one to beat in a modest line-up. Fine Dining has been gelded and according to Yogas Govender, the stable are not expecting too much from him.
Similarly, the second is another Maiden over 1200m with thin form with the two standouts being Fate Decreed and Pink Diamond.
Fate Decree was a recent maiden winner but in spite of showing improved form leading into the win she was friendless in the market, drifting from an opening call of 4-1 to start 14-1. However, she won with authority from the widest draw and can follow up. Pink Diamond has been up against some fairly useful company of late. She goes well over the trip and can add to her winning tally in this line-up.
Real War can get Pick 6 punters off to a winning start. She has been well supported in the market at recent outings but failed to deliver. Dean Kannemeyer has declared blinkers and if they have the desired effect she should run a big race. Mike de Kock sends out who has had one outing on the Highveld and since been rested. Word from the stable is that this race should bring her on.
De Kock could be in the winner’s box with Tyrconnell in the fourth, a Class 4 handicap over 1400m. Tyrconnell had his consistency rewarded last run and De Kock will be hoping for more of the same over course and distance. He gets the benefit of Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg so meets third placed Winter Waves on 0.5kg better terms. Winer Waves always gives of his best and has his 53rd run for Alyson Wright. Stars In Heaven bids for a hat-trick of wins as Gareth Wright steps him up a further furlong. He has come to hand nicely and will have plenty of supporters. Cabinet Shuffle has been in good form to stronger of late. Louise Gooden steps him up in trip and he can add his sixth win to his CV.
Michael Roberts sends out Imposing in the sixth who just failed behind Dapper last time out giving the winner 8kg He is long overdue another victory and he should go close here. Gimmethegoodlife only recently shed his maiden but followed up with a cracking handicap debut. His improved form has come over a little ground. He is lightly raced and still improving. Ralph The Rascal was the subject of a failed betting coup last time out, in from 20-1 to start 8-1. Racing in first time blinkers for Bo Ngcobo, he was touched off by Sweeper Keeper. A repeat could see him go close again.
The sixth is a wide open handicap but although Avernian Goddess has drawn on the wrong side of the barrier she never runs a bad race. She has come down in the handicap and a change of rider could bring out the best. Happy Fortune shed her maiden at third time of asking but had shown promise in two opening sprints. She looks progressive and can go in again. Prom Queen showed up well first time out for her new yard and she has shown some ability in spite of the duck eggs behind her name. With a 4kg claimer up she could be the surprise package. Fort J’Adore seldom runs a bad race and has been close-up an all of her recent starts over the trip. She is a must for all exotic bets.
In the last, punters will be hoping that the form behind One Irish Rover holds up with many in the field behind him when last they met. Runner-up that day was Now I Got You who was beaten less than a length and is now 4kg better of in the handicap which should be ample to turn the tables. There should be very little between stable companions El Draque and Whereverilaymyhat who finished with a neck separating them behind One Irish Rover. They are both better off in the handicap but stable rider Athandiwe Mgudlwa has switched mounts. Teerex was also in the scrum behind One Irish Rover and Tristan Godden stays with the ride for Kom Naidoo.
