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RACE BY RACE PREVIEWS: SCOTTSVILLE@2025.01.12
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 1, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R300,000, 12:00GMT+2
Race Summary: Mike Miller holds the key with four runners and one expects that first call stable rider Tristan Godden has first pick and he partners the filly COMIC RELIEF (3) who was a comfortable winner on debut and could well prove to be the best of the miller runners. Second pick of the Miller runners could be another filly in SIESTA SUNSET (6) who won well on debut in spite of drifting off the boars in the face of support for stable companion HOLDS THE KEY (4) who took another two races to shed his maiden. In that race the Michael Roberts debutant BLACK FROST (8) found some significant market support but was very green in the running and sure to come on from that effort. Kom Naidoo has two runners best of which should be WAROFDYNAMITE (5) who found some betting support on debut and should come on with the experience.
Selections: #3 COMIC RELIEF, #8 BLACK FROST, #6 SIESTA SUNSET, #4 HOLDS THE KEY
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 2, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110,000, 12:30GMT+2
Race Summary: WHO BLINKED (6) has made steady improvement and visiting rider Raymond Danielson looks to be on the ‘right’ on for MJ Odendaal after being touched off over the distance when starting at cramped odds. The filly ZENA ROSE (1) has come to hand nicely for Duncan Howells and Kabelo Matsunyane should have a good understanding of his mount this being his third start aboard. ONE ARMED BANDIT (12) tried much further last run but is back to what looks to be a more suitable trip. Robbie Hill’s filly OUR LADY FATE (9) has been well supported in the market when trying further but the drop in trip could maybe be the better option.
Selections: #6 WHO BLINKED, #1 ZENA ROSE, #12 ONE ARMED BANDIT, #9 OUR LADY FATE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 3, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R110,000, 13:05GMT+2
Race Summary: REAL WAR (1) was much improved last run when back on turf and Dean Kannemeyer has declared first time blinkers which could make all the difference. TOP SEED (6) has not been out since making his debut in May but Mike de Kock’s runner looks more than capable of good improvement. GOOD LIVING (10) has had a few chances but has never been too far back and should be in the shake-up again in a field where there could be a few surprises. EMOYENI (3) was a well beaten second on debut but should come on from that effort.
Selections: #1 REAL WAR, #6 TOP SEED, #10 GOOD LIVING, #3 EMOYENI
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 4, Gallops, 1600m, Turf, R135,000, 13:40GMT+2
Race Summary: SUNDANCE KID (11) has the widest draw to contend with but has shown useful form in good company at recent outings. Rachel Venniker stays aboard for Wendy Whitehead and the gelding could prove good enough to shoulder top weight to victory. Drawn alongside is ROYAL SWAN MASTER (10) who has been costly to follow. Never far back he also never quite gets there. The longer Scottsville straight and a handy weight could see him home. OFFICE IN COMMAND (4) has been holding form well and has won over the course. He may prove to be the best of Mike de Kock’s runners. I SALTUE YOU (3) landed the odds last run when favourite. Peter Muscutt’s runner is lightly raced and appears to be on the up.
Selections: #10 ROYAL SWAN MASTER, #11 SUNDANCE KID, #4 OFFICER IN COMMAND, #3 I SALUTE YOU
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 5, Gallops, 1200m, Turf, R135,000, 14:15GMT+2
Race Summary: CONNERY (5) will have plenty of supporters as he tries for six-in-a-row but it becomes more and more difficult. As he steps up in class. He got a four-point raise in the handicap for his last win but 4kg claimer Jacey Botes stays aboard and Glen Kotzen’s gelding could well pull it off. Mike de Kock sends out the filly CALANTHA (10) who has won two of her four starts and was comfortable last time out. She looks useful and gets plenty of weight from Connery. GOOD TRAVELLER (7) finally god another win under his girth when back over his optimum trip. He has good form on this course and now that he has his confidence back he could be threat. Word from the stable is that BOURBON WARRIOR (3) is back from a break but given that he has won two of this four starts, that could mean anything.
Selections: #10 CALANTHA, #5 CONNERY, #7 GOOD TRAVELLER, #3 BOURBON WARRIOR
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 6, Gallops, 1100m, Turf, R200,000, 14:50GMT+2
Race Summary: This race carried over from last Sunday’s washout sees WILLIAM ROBERTSON (3) 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 (9) 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 (2) 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 (7) 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: #3 WILLIAM ROBERTSON, #9 SUN BLUSHED, #2 KHETHIWE’S DESTINY, #7 DONQUERARI
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 7, Gallops, 1750m, Turf, R200,000, 15:25GMT+2
Race Summary: ROYAL VICTORY (7) makes his return after a smart effort in defending his Gr1 Summer Cup title behind Atticus Finch. He is the best weighted in this field and if anywhere near his best he should be good enough to win this under former regular pilot Muzi Yeni. IMILENZEYOKUDUDMA (4) won well in the Christmas Handicap and although going up four points in the handicap for that win he can follow up from a good draw. Tony Rivalland’s filly CELTIC BEAUTY (6) was strongly fancied to win the Flamboyant Stakes on Boxing Day but first time blinkers did not have the desired effort and they come off. MARY’S GREENLIGHT (10) and MISS PLATINA (2) finished ahead of her but both are worse off at the weights and Celtic Beauty could make amends.
Selections: #7 ROYAL VICTORY, #4 IMILENZEYOKUDUDUMA, #6 CELTIC BEAUTY, #2 MISS PLATINA
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 8, Gallops, 1950m, Turf, R110,000, 16:00GMT+2
Race Summary: CAPTAIN OLIVER (3) is progressive and was run out of it narrowly by FLYINGCOOL (5) when last they met over 2400m. They are down in trip here and Gary Rich’s runner is 1kg better off in spite of winning. However, Captain Oliver looks progressive and the drop in trip could see him turn the tables. FRENCH TRIP (10) has been knocking on the door for some time now and is due some reward. WOODLAND GLADE (9) is way better than her last run and Muzi Yeni is back on board.
Selections: #3 CAPTAIN OLIVER, #5 FLYINGCOOL, #10 FRENCH TRIP, #9 WOODLAND GLADE
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 9, Gallops, 1400m, Turf, R125,000, 16:35GMT+2
Race Summary: GO LIKE FLO (1) takes on a smart field of much younger rivals but could just have the edge. She was touched off in her local debut after showing some good Cape Town form and with a run under her girth and a step up in trip from the best of the draw she could prove to be the horse to beat. LUCRATIVE (2) is 1kg worse off with Go Like Flo after getting the better of her last time out but the mare could with a run under her girth and a weight turnover could see her turn the tables. However, SPIRIT OF LEVANA (5) and JUST RECKLESS (7) both make their seasonal debuts after showing up in smart juvenile features behind the top class Quid Pro Quo. Word from the stables is that both may just need it but class could tell. MALCOLM’S DREAM (6) and AFRICAN BEAT (9) are also in the mix.
Selections: #1 GO LIKE FLO, #2 LUCRATIVE, #7 JUST RECKLESS, #5 SPIRIT OF LEVANA
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE, 12.01.2025, Race 10, Gallops, 1000m, Turf, R120,000, 17:10GMT+2
Race Summary: Louise Goosen has been building up IBHELE (9) to a peak and this looks the right race. He does have top weight but should also be at his peak in spite of finishing behind the consistent PROFESSOR LUPIN (7) when last they met. They meet on the same weight terms but the younger rival could have more to come with first time blinkers. ANDY COOGLE (10) has been much improved at recent starts and must be considered in all bets. NORTHERN WARRIOR (6) is a course and distance specialist and although returning from a break he looks the pick of the Michael Roberts trio.
Selections: #9 IBHELE, #7 PROFESSOR LUPIN, #10 ANDY COOGLE, #6 NORTHERN WARRIOR
Best Win: #3 WILLIAM ROBERTSON
Best Value Bet: #7 ROYAL VICTORY
Best Longshot: #9 IBHELE
