The double header in KZN this weekend has two nine race cards, a much anticpated 20/20 meeting at Greyville tonight, and a Scottsville meeting in which some good horses are being turned out.

The selections for tonight are Swiss Note to beat Chronological in the first, Kolinsky to beat Mighty Mississippi in the second, Translunar to win the third from Just Ask Me and Diamond King, Surrey to beat Military Leader in the fourth, Intergalactic to beat Khonza in the fifth, Yell to beat Cherry Orchard and Fashion Talk in the sixth, Grey’s A Rockin to beat Capel Top in the seventh, Quintella to beat Jolo and Lucky Packet in the eighth and Fareeq to beat Blue Ocean and Sunshine City in the ninth.

Mark Dixon turns out the classy sprinter African Dream in the fifth race at Scottsville, a Conditions Plate over 1200m for fillies and mares, and he said that while she would not be “fully wound up” he believed she would be at her best this season as she has strengthened and improved. She will take a power of beating, but two horses who will definitely be tough nuts to crack at the weights will be the Charles Laird-trained Beloved Country and the Paul Gadsby-trained Miss Varlicious. Beloved Country will arrive fit from a three month break, being from the Charles Laird yard, and this classy sort receives 6,5kg from African Dream. Miss Valicious has struck as one with a bright future and she not only receives 8kg from African Dream, but also has a 4kg claimer up, which makes it a 12kg advantage in all. Miss Varlicious is therefore the tip to win with Beloved Country second under Anthony Delpech and African Dream third under regular pilot Keagan de Melo. Littleblacknumber is useful but has a tough task at the weights and the Gr 1 winner Chestnuts ‘N Pearls is likely a bigger threat, although the GR 1 two-year-old form of last season is not standing up too well to date.

In the first race, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m, Nikki reverts to a sprint, having been beaten as favourite over 1600m. She finished 6,75 lengths back to the highly promising Rock On Baby when third on debut over 1000m and the runner up Elephant Matriarch, who was only 0,5 lengths in front of her, won next time out so she will take a lot of beating. Juds Express makes most appeal of the rest having been slow away on debut over course an distance before running on well and the Duncan Howells yard horses usually come on from their first runs.

The second is also a Maiden for fillies and mares over 1200m and here Seventh Moment could be the one to beat from a favourable draw. She made a fine debut over course and distance and her saddle then slipped second time out over 1000m. Anthony Delpech has kept the ride. Bella Miesque has run against some fair sorts and her form has stood up well so she could be a big danger from a favourable draw for an in form yard. Diamond League showed pace on debut over 1200m on the poly in May before finishing just under five lengths back to a very promising sort, so should be thereabouts from a favourable draw. Isingamoya could improve on her debut in which she was slow away and not disgraced over 1000m. Aventurine is from the champion trainer Sean Tarry’s yard and should also improve, although Delpech has defected to ride Seventh Moment. Anton Marcus is an eyecatching booking for the first-timer Poise, who is by Kahal out of a Fort Wood three-time winner from 1400-1800m.

The third is a Maiden over 1200m and of those to have raced the hard-knocking Destined For Dawn could get it right at last for an in form yard.  Re-Examined is an interesting runner as the form of his debut looks quite strong. Bacca Laureate improved considerably last time in a weak field and Delpech now rides from a favourable draw. Roy’s Power could earn another cheque in this uninspiring field. Humidor returns from a one year layoff after making a reasonable debut and Anton Marcus is a significant booking from a plum draw. None of the first-timers make much appeal.

The fourth is a Maiden over 1200m and Protea Power returns to the course and distance of his excellent effort in early August and this time runs from a better draw so is the one to beat. Brave Knight was green on debut and ran on well and although the form does not look strong he should improve considerably being from the Howells yard. Powder Keg is back to the course and distance of his best run and has first-time blinkers on from a plum draw. Purple Splash made a fair debut here over 1000m and could earn. Delirious Nomad could also be in the frame. Neruda is by Second Empire and is a half-brother to the useful sprinter Dennis the Menace and the speedy battle Of Alma.

The sixth is a MR 90 Handicap over 1200m and  Gavin van Zyl said that this would be a preparation run for Redcarpet Captain for the forthcoming Bloodstock South Africa Ready To Run Cup on October 31 at Turffontein, so he won’t be fully wound up. Hunting Owl will enjoy the course an distance and is tipped to beat Talktothestars, who jumps from a favourable draw with a 4kg claimer up, and Redcarpet Captain could be next best.

In the seventh over 2400m Battle Hammer looks well weighted over a suitable trip and Depech rides. Your Worship and Sugarbuzz make most appeal of the rest.

In the eighth over 2400m Forest caught the eye last time behind a good sort over 1600m when caught wide from a high draw before running on well and he should relish the step up in trip. Desert Sunset should enjoy the trip and looks be the danger alongside Roy’s Horse, who stayed on for third over course and distance last month.

The last over 1600m could be won by Estimation, who was green when backed on debut and is now well drawn over a step up in trip she will appreciate and Marcus is up. Zilla and Coastal Spell look to be the dangers.

By David Thiselton

Picture: African Dream (Nkosi Hlophe)