Punters face a competitive card at Hollywoodbets Scottsville on Sunday but as always in adversity there is money to be made.
The first leg of the Pick 6 could throw up a surprise result with the majority of the field showing very little ability. Messalina is by far the best performed of those that have raced and rates the one to beat. However, she is having her 19th bite at the cherry. The first timer Dancing On A cloud is regally bred and if only half decent, should make a bold debut in this line-up and the same goes for Apache AG but is a four-year-old making his debut. Both first timers should be closely monitored in the market. The balance have desperate form.
The fourth is a competitive handicap but Future Saint has been making steady improvement since changing stables and now looks primed. However, there are plenty in with chances. Beach Palace has the widest draw but has been knocking on the door while Run To Rio has run his best recent race over course and distance with a first time tongue-tie and a 4kg claimer up. He gets more help from the saddle this time around. Visiting Whispers Of War has been dropping in the handicap and although a well-beaten favourite over further last run he can do a lot better in this company.
The fifth is another open handicap but Parmenion has been knocking on the door at recent outings. He is down in class and has a good draw to help his cause. World Of Our Own has a wide draw to contend with but has not been out of the money in four starts leading to his recent maiden win. He does look progressive which could see him challenge his more exposed rivals. Record High has come down in the handicap and now looks to be off a more competitive mark while Festival Of Magic needed his last run over a sprint. Back over a more suitable trip from a good draw he is one to watch in the market.
Duncan Howells sends out Princess Palace in the sixth who could be one of the better bets on the card as she improved in first time blinkers last start on the poly but still got a two-point drop in the handicap. Rachel Venniker’s 1.5kg allowance will help her cause and she should go well in a tricky contest. Head Girl finally shed her maiden last run but has never been far back. She must have a chance of following up in this field while Stuart Ferrie’s runner Firecracker gets first time blinkers with a big drop in the ratings and can make an impact.
Former Kimberley-based trainer Tienie Prinsloo learned well how to back up his charges in short order and One Smart Cookie can do better than her last start on Monday. She should do well in this field. Tequila Sky returns from a lengthy break but was well supported in all of her starts. She has dropped in the ratings and if Byron Forster has her anywhere near racing fit she could be hard to beat. Chelsea Flower is something of a poly specialist but has her first run for a new stable.
In the last, Louis Goosen’s runner Ibhele was desperately unlucky with the inexperience rider trying to get there before the line. He now has a more experienced apprentice up and can do much better. Twenty One May was touched off last run and can go one better. If holding form he is the horse to beat. Northern Warrior is over his best course and distance and his recent form has worked out well while Kalahari Roller is way better than his last effort and with a more experienced apprentice aboard would not be a surprise winner.
There are many first timers in the card opener but Mystic Dancer made a smart debut at long odds on this course and with Andrew Fortune up she should be the one to beat. Berrington Blew was just over a length behind that afternoon and with expected improvement could finish a lot closer. Quickstep Gal raced green on debut and is sure to have come on from that effort.
In the opening leg of the Place Accumulator, Lucienne made a promising debut at long odds. She raced in heavy ground that day and given some improvement and a firmer surface she could be the one to be with. Greenlight Queen will have her supporters given that she was touched off when reverting to a sprint and was a narrowly beaten favourite. She can go one better. KMV Retrofit was just over a length back in the same race so there should not be much between them again.
