Scottsville has another low key meeting today, but there have been some good results for on-the-ball punters in KZN lately and some more rewards could be reaped.
In the first race the Tony Rivalland-trained Ice Run comes from some good maiden formlines and has good pace so is the one to beat despite a high draw in the nine horse field over 1000m. Al Wahed also showed good pace over 1200m last time and will have come on from that run, as it was a return outing from a layoff of a year and another point is that he was backed in from 20/1 to 8/1on debut so must show something at home. Captain King is always thereabouts and with a 4kg claimer up from a low draw should give another good account of himself.
The second is a fillies and mares maiden over 1000m. Roy’s Guardian returns from a layoff but is expected by her in-form yard to run well fresh, especially considering her best race was over this trip. Chapel Queen made a fair debut over this trip on the poly and has Anthony Delpech up, so could be thereabouts in a weak race, despite a high draw. Millies Rockstar makes most appeal of the rest.
In the third, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1400m, Roy’s Queen has a wide draw to overcome, but has Delpech up and has some eyecatching from 1200m up to 1600m. She was finishing well over 1200m last time, so this trip should suit her down to the ground. Well Dressed returns from a six month layoff but is drawn in pole, so should be involved in the finish. Liquorice Moon looks to be the Dixon yard elect despite returning from a layoff and from a good draw over a suitable trip he could earn.
The fourth is a maiden over 1600m and Rikitikitana looks hard to beat here having finished just six lengths back in a strong Gr 1 over this trip last time out. Winter Auralius ran two fair races in strong 1200m maidens and should appreciate the step up in trip, so is interesting from a good draw. Ricochet Flyer is drawn better than he was last time so could make amends as he is looking for this trip and further. The stablemate Levi Roots has run some fair races over shorter and will appreciate the step up in trip, so could earn from a good draw. Roy’s Rolls Royce makes most appeal of the rest.
The fifth is a MR 71 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1600m and Obrega could be the one to side with from a good draw having run on well in her first try at this trip on the poly and only just failing. Ire de Fiesta will also enjoy the course and distance. Silver Inspiration should start coming into her own now as a Silvano four-year-old and is well drawn over a trip she has enjoyed before. Rehoboth Beach relished the step up to this trip when winning her maiden and hasn’t been badly punished by the handicapper. What An Answer is having her third run after a rest and can’t be ignored over a suitable trip. Miss Stingray could go well if starting on terms and is another who can never be ignored.
The sixth is a MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1950m and presents a good opportunity for Lady Ami, who has proven suited to this trip on the poly and now has her first turf run in KZN. Princess Beach has become a frustrating sort to follow but looks to have plenty of ability and is now off a competitive merit rating. September Storm has some good form and from a good draw should be right there over a trip she should enjoy. Rascality won her maiden easily over 2000m at Turffontein so can’t be ignored returning to that trip. Likeness makes most appeal of the rest.
The seventh is a MR66 Handicap over 1400m and Listen And Learn ran on well with a change in tactics last time over this course and distance so is interesting from a good draw. Bizjet would probably prefer a bit further but is in good form and well drawn with Delpech up. Excalivar flew to win over course and distance last time and is only three points higher in the merit ratings. Kilroy is distance suited and with a 4kg claimer up from a wide draw can’t be ignored. Delray Beach has a wide draw to overcome but looks to have some ability.
The eighth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1000m and Melanchette has dropped to an attractive merit rating and could be the one to side with from a favourable draw. Threshold jumps from a good draw over a course and distance he loves and is off a competitive merit rating with a 4kg claimer up. Bikini Billy has some good form over 1000m but as a young three-year-old doesn’t have an easy task off a merit rating of 80 and carrying 60,5kg. Burrwood can never be ignored over this trip. Stampede enjoys this course and distance and he could over overcome his wide draw with his early pace considering he has a 4kg claimer aboard.
By David Thiselton
Picture: Tony Rivalland (Nkosi Hlophe)
