Eleven-time South African Champion Jockey Michael Roberts has always rated the New Zealand-bred Sledgehammer as the best horse he ever rode in South Africa.
None in Sunday’s field in the World Sports Betting Sledgehammer (Listed) will ever rise to those lofty heights but they will have punters pondering. Andre Nel saddles Selukwe who was a comfortable winner of a minor feature last time out and that form has since been franked. He took a six-point rise in the handicap and takes on useful company but a repeat will see him close.
Justin Snaith fires this first salvos leading into South Africa’s Champion Season and sends out Legal Counsel who won his last two in the Cape. The gelding looks progressive and with a light weight he will be a big contender. Stable companion Rapidash has been up against top opposition in the Cape and although a distant second last run, The Real Prince is not in this line-up. Alec Laird only has one runner on the day and Command Pilot may just have needed his last run and has a money chance.
The World Sports Betting Highland Night Cup will have Frank Robinson planning for the big staying features coming up in the next three months. Shoot The Rapids made a smart return to the track after a lengthy break when a close-up second last run. He stays well and at best will go close again. Snaith sends out Master Of Paris who arrives with useful recent Cape form over shorter. He gets 9kg from Shoot The Rapids which could make things difficult for Robinson’s charge. Cape Eagle is never far off them and stays the trip. He will be a big runner. Raiseahallelujah ran well below form last time out and the run is best ignored. He stays well and is not without a chance.
The filly Scarlet Lady was one of the finest sprinters of her time so it is a bit ironic that The Scarlet Lady is run over 1750m. Whatever, Spirit Of Levana was scratched from her last intended start on the grounds of an interrupted work programme. Hopefully she is up to peak fitness now and she can make amends for being a beaten favourite last run. The blinkers have been exchanged for cheek pieces. Miss Platina was quietly fancied in the King’s Cup last run but it was a tough ask but the form of her penultimate start has worked out well. Celtic Beauty is useful and set the pace in a sprint last run in a good blow-out for this race. She will much prefer this trip. Mascherina is seldom far back and has a strong money chance.
Snaith can get his Champions Season campaign off on a winning note with Gran Canaria in the first leg of the PA. The gelding comes with smart Cape form and looks the part although Amandla Ngawethu started favourite in his Highveld debut after showing promising Cape form. The step up in trip should suit.
It is a competitive card and punters will need to do their homework and also keep an eye on the market before making their decisions. The first leg of the Pick 6 is an open handicap but Greenlight Queen Open handicap made steady improvement leading up to her recent maiden win. That form has panned out quite well and she can go in again. Princess Goldie was also a recent maiden winner but comes from a very much in-form stable. The step up in trip from a good draw should see her in with a strong chance. Buttercup Baby has a tricky draw to negotiate but was doing her best work late last run and will appreciate the extra furlong. Emerald Queen was drawn on Marriott Road last start so that run is best ignored. She is smart on her day.
In the eighth Happy Analia found one too good for her in stable companion Tara Sands Last run but there was very little in it. She could find this trip a touch sharp but is in good form. B Fiftytwo has been knocking at the door for some time now and the apprentice has been replaced by Andrew Fortune. Michael Roberts holds a strong hand with four of his Hollywoodbets Scottsville specialists in the field. Best could be Northern Warrior who has shown some of his best form over course and distance and is in good form at present. Stable companion Philispiel is over his best course and distance with a 4kg claimer aboard. His last run is best ignored.
The final leg of the Pick 6 does not get any easier but On Board made a winning local debut after showing some modest Cape form but can follow up in this company. Dawn Surprise was a beaten favourite last run after a smart previous effort. She is 1kg worse off with Prized Platinum on their last meeting given the apprentice claim. Jaap Visser is a rare visitor and saddles three runners. Si Veloce was much improved last run and could be the pick although Perini Palace is more consistent but his current recent form is over further.
