A major stakes increase and a revamp of the handicapping conditions has seen the numbers swell at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday. All races, barring a competitive top-liner with only six runners, are loaded with near maximum fields on the nine-race card which does not make easy pickings for punters but in turn, dividends should be attractive.
The smallest field on the card makes up the opening leg of the Bi-Pot and it turn into a match race between Quasiforsure and Cats Pajamas. Peter Muscutt’s veteran was a close-up second behind the smart William Robertson last time out and although he has won over a sprint, he does seem to be more effective over slightly further with this race right up his alley. In contrast, Cats Pajamas is a smart sprinter and Frank Robinson could be testing his charge in useful company to see if he will stay any further.
Of the balance, Diani was a smart third in the Christmas Handicap and that form has since been franked. He has a light weight and Dennis Bosch’s runner could upset the more fancied pair.
Mike de Kock’s charge Tyroconnell could prove to be one of the better bets on a difficult card and open up the PA. He is relatively lightly raced and won well enough when getting the better of Capsaicin over course and distance last time out. Stuart Ferrie’s charge has since franked that form. With a light weight Tyrconnell looks capable in a tricky handicap. Mr Hotstepper takes another rise in class after a comfortable recent win and Frikkie Greyling’s charge boasts a record of two wins from four starts. He looks progressive and only has 52.5kg to shoulder. Mr Master Starter has been frustrating to follow and was again a beaten favourite last outing. However, he is never far back and should have a lively chance in this line-up.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, Bevies Delight has come back well from setbacks early in her career and Peter Muscutt’s mare is versatile enough to make a big effort in a tricky handicap. She was not disgraced in the Flamboyant Stakes behind Mary’s Greenlight over a mile but some of her better form has been over sprints and she clearly enjoys some give in the ground which she is likely to get. Patants Heir is smart and although a narrow winner last time out she was finishing well and the little extra should suit although that form has been a little muddling since.
Horses making their local debut after a spell in the Cape often win first time out for their new yards. King Of Spin makes his debut for Stuart Ferrie and comes off some useful Cape form. He has had a short break but looks the part in a competitive handicap in the fifth. Yannakis has had his issues but showed up well when coming off a lengthy break for Gary Rich. He has shown promise and on best form can be in the mix. Fanie Bronkhorst raids with veteran galloper Coming In Hot who boasts consistent Highveld form. The gelding has a 4kg claimer up who has won on him before.
Happy Fortune has been brought on progressively by Darryl Moore and shed her maiden in good fashion when sent over ground. Her form has been franked where she is again up against Woza Nawe who could be her chief danger. She went on to win smartly after her defeat to Happy Fortune and was a beaten favourite last time out. She does have the best of the draw but could play second fiddle in a difficult handicap. Hodgepodge looks progressive and showed up well when second to The Ghost last time out. Muzi Yeni replaces Sean Veale who is now tied to Hollywood Racing as first call to their runners and he partners Woza Nawe.
In the seventh, Famous Warrior has his third run after a break for Michael Roberts and looks primed for this race with Rachel Venniker’s allowance adding to the gelding’s appeal. Mvelelo was a beaten favourite last run for Mike de Kock and the blinkers go on. From a favourable draw he can make amends. Arverni King tried much further last time out but has not been far back at recent outings. He will certainly strip a fit horse and can get home for MJ Odendaal. Ralph The Rascal was the subject of a big gamble last time out with first time blinkers and his supporters only just failed to collect. However, he will need to repeat.
The form behind One Irish Rover will be what puzzle’s form studiers in the eighth, as seven of the 12 runners finished behind MJ Odendaal’s gelding last time out. However, Top Gun was not in that race and was much improved when Paul Lafferty decided on blinkers and his charge won readily enough to suggest that he can follow up in this company with Rachel Venniker’s allowance. Sorting out the rest is tricky. Now I Got You was touched off by One Irish Rover and can turn the tables while there should be little separating stable companions El Draque and Whereverilaymyhat. It could pay to go wide in the exotics in this race.
Icy Lancaster could round off the card at decent odds. She ran well below par in two Kenilworth starts and is now back in her original Summerveld yard of Gareth van Zyl. She had excellent form before her move to the Cape and if finding her best form she should make a bold bid. Amafort found strong market support after finishing second at long odds behind Blowin In The Wind who has since franked that form. There should not be much between the two again and both need to be included in all permutations as should Jeanne Darc who has also franked the Amafort/Blowin In The Wind form with an easy maiden win last time out and is another to add to a list of possible winners.
