It is only a fortnight before the official start of South Africa’s Champion Season so punters need to pay close attention in the ensuing weeks if they are to try and second guess trainers and their strategies.
Given that Hollywoodbets Scottsville is home to the first two Gr1 juvenile races for the season on what can be a tricky course for first time arrivals, the first two races at the venue on Sunday could provide possible pointers to the outcomes of the Gr1 Gold Medallion and the Gr1 Allan Robertson Championship.
In the card opener for males, only Intensity, Call Me Wild and Dark Matter have made it to the racecourse. The trio made a fair debut in the same race on this course and experience can see them benefit with Robbie Hill’s runner seemingly the best of them. But there are a number of eye-catching first timers from top stables with Dean Kannemeyer saddling Star In Motion and Mike and Mathew de Kock sending out Yippee Kiyaya. The market prices should be telling.
Punters face a similar dilemma in the fillies version. Limitless Sky has improved with each outing and has gone well over course and distance while Kali Bwana was second best behind hot favourite and impressive winner Keukenhof last time out. Debutante’s to watch may be Kapture The Peace and Educator.
In the first leg of the Pick 6, Un Bel Di comes with smart Cape form over the distance and visiting Justin Snaith has already got a winner under his belt. Mojo Man won well last time out but only got a two-point rise in the handicap. He gets a 4kg claimer aboard so can go in again. Kalahari Roller was under a length back to Mojo Man last time they met and his last win was over course and distance while Twenty One May is only 0.5kg better off with Mojo Man taking the apprentice allowance into consideration but is in good form over the trip and can turn the tables.
Kannemeyer took the wraps off a few useful Cape visitors, one being Dancing On A Cloud who was an impressive maiden winner second time of asking and looks progressive. He faces a lot stronger in the first leg of the jackpot but does look capable of further improvement. Terminator, with Andrew Fortune aboard, has a wide draw to contend with but his last win was over course and distance and he will be a serious threat. Dapper has his second run for Duncan Howells over a more suitable trip and has the best of the draw and could also be a factor in the finish.
In the fifth, Icy Blast has tumbled down the handicap when contesting sprints in the Cape. He has his third outing for Mike and Mathew de Kock over a mile and last time out he was drawn widest of all over 1400m at Hollywoodbets Greyville. He now jumps from a much more favourable gate although many in this race finished ahead of him. Sundance Kid is another that has come down dramatically in the handicap and went close last time out. The form has been franked in feature company so a repeat should see Wendy Whitehead’s gelding in the firing line. JP’S Palace has yet to run a bad race, his last win on this course and Darryl Moore’s charge is progressive. Plaza Accord is unbeaten in two since returning from a lengthy break but he did get a six-point raise in the handicap for that win which could be his anchor in this contest.
The filly Khethiwe’s Destiny takes on males in the sixth but is smart and has her third run after a lengthy break. She could prove too classy for her male rivals although Gareth van Zyl’s runner Riverstone comes with solid Cape form over the trip. However, he has not been out since January but if fit and well he will make his presence felt. Agrado has been holding form and won well last time out. He did take a six-point raise in the handicap but benefits from Rachel Venniker’s allowance.
The seventh is a tricky handicap. Real War won at long odds last start with many in this field behind him however, he is a progressive youngster and only got a three-point raise in the handicap. But he beat Gorgeous Guy by the narrowest of margins who is now 1.5kg better off at the weights so the inference is obvious. Wissa’s On Fire started a short-priced favourite for that race but was eased up in the running. Ignoring that effort and judged on his penultimate start he will be a big runner. Now I Got You may still be under the handicapper’s radar and has a light weight and could spoil the party.
Kannemeyer appears to have another smart late starter in Getoffmycloud who came from the clouds to shed her maiden at second time of asking. She looks smart and with that experience under her girth she can round off the meeting. Snaith will have other ideas with Dafnes Daughter who although a touch disappointing at her last two, she can do better in this company. Mia’s Athena has her second run after a lengthy break. She was well regarded early in her career by Duncan Howells and if finding her best she could surprise.
