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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: SCOTTSVILLE@2025.01.05
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110,000, 12:35GMT+2
Race Summary: ONE ARMED BANDIT (1) ran well below expectations when sent over 1800m last time out. Paul Lafferty has brought him back to a sprint and he looks to be the one to beat in a modest line-up. FINE DINING (4) has found some market support in both starts but has yet to show. He could pop up in this field. MJ Odendaal has three runners in the field, best of which could be the well-bred first timer LIFE ON THE TIDES (9) but Tony Rivalland also has a blue-blood first timer in LIMELIGHT LEGEND (8). Both should be closely monitored in the betting.
Selections: #1 ONE ARMED BANDIT, #4 FINE DINING, #9 LIFE ON THE TIDES, #8 LIMELIGHT LEGEND
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110,000, 13:10GMT+2
Race Summary: REAL WAR (1) 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 he should run a big race. Mike de Kock sends out TOP SEED (3) who has had one outing on the Highveld and since been rested. However, he put in a fair showing on debut and was amongst the fancied runners in the market. He could need the outing. TICKALOX (2) is not always reliable but has shown flashes of good form and has a money chance. EMOYENI (9) was a distant second on debut won by the hot favourite Major Tommie. He should come on with the experience.
Selections: #1 REAL WAR, #3 TOP SEED, #9 EMOYENI, #2 TICKALOX
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R80,000, 13:45GMT+2
Race Summary: FATE DECREED (4) 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 (5) 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. JOAN THE WAD (2) was up against the promising Ladyofdistinction in her first run out of the maidens. She meets a lot weaker here and has a money chance. ELUSIVE BELLE (3) is battling for her second win but does put in the occasional good effort which could see her in the fight for the line.
Selections: #4 FATE DECREED, #5 PINK DIAMOND, #2 JOAN THE WAD, #3 ELUSIVE BELLE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R120,000, 14:20GMT+2
Race Summary: TYRCONNELL (3) had his consistency rewarded last run and Mike 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 (9) on 0.5kg better terms. Winer Waves always gives of his best and has his 53rd run for Alyson Wright. STARS IN HEAVEN (8) 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 (7) 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. DAPPER (1) won at fairly long odds last time out with only 48.5kg on his back. Four-claiming apprentice Jacey Botes stays aboard and the gelding can build on his recently improved form.
Selections: #3 TYRCONNELL, #8 STARS IN HEAVEN, #7 CABINET SHUFFLE, #1 DAPPER
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R120,000, 14:55GMT+2
Race Summary: IMPOSING (7) just failed behind Dapper last time out giving the winner 8kg He is long overdue another victory and he should go close here. GIMMETHEGOODLIFE (8) 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 (6) 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 can see him go close again. KINGS ISLAND (2) was a comfortable winner last time out but that was on the poly.
Selections: #7 IMPOSING, #8 GIMMETHEGOODLIFE, #6 RALPH THE RASCAL, #2 KING’S ISLAND
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R110,000, 15:30GMT+2
Race Summary: A wide open handicap. AVERNIAN GODDESS (12) has drawn on the wrong side of the barrier but never runs a bad race. She has come down in the handicap and a change of rider could bring out the best. HAPPY FORTUNE (7) 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 (6) showed up well first time out for her new yard. She does show some ability in spite of the duck eggs behind her name and with a 4kg claimer up she could be the surprise package. FORT J’ADORE (8) 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.
Selections: #12 AVERNIAN GODDESS, #7 HAPPY FORTUNE, #6 PROM QUEEN, #8 FORT J’ADORE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R200,000, 16:10GMT+2
Race Summary: WILLIAM ROBERTSON (4) 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 most. His recent form his difficult to fault and he should start at the top of the boards again. SUN BLUSHED (7) is smart on his day and 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 the outing should have sharpened him up. KHETHIWE’S DESTINY (5) has only once been out of the money but has not been out since finishing behind Quid Pro Quo in the Gr Golden Slipper. She may need this but is clearly talented. DONQUERARI (3) 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.
Selections: #4 WILLIAM ROBERTSON, #7 SUN BLUSHED, #5 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY, #3 DONQUERARI
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 05.01.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R90,000, 16:45GMT+2
Race Summary: Punters will be hoping that the form behind ONE IRISH ROVER (2) holds up with many in the field behind him when last they met. Runner-up that day was NOW I GOT YOU (6) 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 (8) and WHEREVERILAYMYHAT (9) 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 (3) was also in the scrum behind One Irish Rover and Tristan Godden stays with the ride for Kom Naidoo.
Selections: #6 NOW I GOT YOU, #2 ONE IRISH ROVER, #9 WHEREVERILAYMYHAT, #8 EL DRAQUE
Best Win: #4 FATE DECREED
Best Value Bet: #7 CABINET SHUFFLE
Best Longshot: #6 PROM QUEEN
