Scottsville has an eight-race meeting on Sunday and punters will be hoping for the good results that characterised the midweek meeting on the Greyville polytrack.
In the first race over 1200m for three-year-old maidens, Goodnight Nurse caught the eye after the penny had dropped on debut over course and distance as she ran on strongly after running all over the place. Light The Fire has gone close over course and distance before, despite starting slowly and then leading, so could be a contender if starting on terms. Variable Pitch is a speedy sort who has found no extra late over 1000m, so this trip could be a concern. New Hampshire was green on debut over course and distance and could improve.
The Duck has a bit to find. There are also some interesting first-timers. Liege is by Dynasty and is a half-brother to the like of Lance and Lockheed Jetstar. Anthony Delpech is an eye-catching booking on the first-timer Executive Power, who is by Warm White Night out of the consistent twice-winning Var sprinter Vareuse. Roy’s Saint is by Trippi and is a half-brother to the like of Red Rake and Desert Sheik.
In the second over 1200m, Gordon’s Cungee caught the eye on debut over 1000m and needed it as she only faded late, so she could be a big runner here from a favourable draw. Cyclone Sassy was backed on debut over 1000m here and finished second to a well regarded sort, so should be right there. Madame Le Roi made a fair debut and Anton Marcus is now up. Open Your Heart ran on steadily over course and distance on debut and could improve.
Roy’s Queen was backed on debut over this course and distance but hung in badly in the running and finished well beaten. She has put in some fair efforts over further since then and is interesting back over this trip with a 4kg claimer up. Aventurine is by Brave Tin Soldier out of an unplaced Parade leader mare and Anthony Delpech is an interesting booking. Diva Dance by Greys Inn is a half-sister to the useful Louvre. Lady Linda is by Lateral out of a Silvano mare who won three times from 1400-1600m.
The third race over 1400m presents a good opportunity for Killer Woman who has done well over course and distance in two career starts and doesn’t have much to beat. Roy’s Monkey has some fair form and could give some cheek with Anton Marcus up. Switched On makes most appeal of the rest.
In the fourth, a MR 70 Handicap over 1400m, Fleetfox won his maiden with a bit in hand over course and distance and is drawn well so could win with topweight. Delray Beach won well over course and distance last time from a similarly wide draw and is a contender. Trendy Guy can never be discounted over this course and distance and is drawn well with a 4kg claimer up.
The handy-running sort Chill should be thereabouts off a competitive merit rating with Marcus up. Class Mondiale has always been well regarded and is having her third run after a long break over a suitable course and distance. Roy’s Ambassador beat a fair sort when winning his maiden over course and distance but does have a wide draw to overcome. Excalivar is another one to consider.
In the fifth race over 1400m, Fragrant Beauty is a lightly raced mare who has shown some ability so can’t be ignored here with a light weight from a good draw. Alina is drawn well over her optimum trip. Peace Again is course and distance suited and likes to come from off them, so the wide draw shouldn’t be much of a disadvantage, although having to carry 60,5kg is going to make it tough. Surfing Belle is 2,5kg better off with Peace Again for a 4,5 length beating over course and distance and has Marcus up so could get closer. Cool Anne stayed on well over 1200m last time and might now be ready to step up in trip, so is a runner with Delpech up. Queen’s Advance and One Way Ticket have to be considered in an open race.
In the sixth over 1000m, Tonto has a fair draw over a suitable course and distance. Silver Kavalier comes back to the course and distance of her easy maiden win, having failed in a Turffontein feature in March, and Delpech is an eyecatching booking. The consistent All True Man should be thereabouts again over a suitable course and distance.
In the seventh over 1200m the classy Saratoga Dancer is a horse to follow this season and is drawn well, although he would prefer a touch further. Triptique should love the course and distance and might prove himself a top class sprinter in the making. Normanz has won a Gr 1 over course and distance so should be involved. Brutal Force has benefitted from gelding and has Delpech up over a suitable trip. The raider Talktothestars is an exciting sort who goes for five in a row. Insearchofthesun and Hunting Owl are others to consider in an intriguing contest.
In the last over 1200m Treble Tot is in fine form and could win from a favourable draw. Triple ‘O Seven is now off an attractive merit rating so should go close with Marcus up from a favourable draw. Red Moon At Night won his first start in KZN over 1400m on the poly and has a favourable draw here so is one to consider. Boomsheiktheroom enjoys this course and distance and has a 4kg claimer up. Ivanovich has the ability to be involved in the finish.
By David Thiselton
