The Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m is fittingly the feature event at Scottsville on Sunday as the great jockey became one of the first horseracing inductees into the South African Hall Of Fame this week.

The enigmatic Pietro Mascagni makes the trip down from Johannesburg and has pole position draw under Anton Marcus. He appeared to shirk the issue last time in the Grade 3 London News Stakes over 1800m, despite having first time blinkers on, as he had glided up to the leaders but then didn’t want to assert when asked to. He has the class to win this and Marcus might drive him past the leader when challenging this time and then keep him going. Hero Quest is an imposing Ideal World gelding who runs strongly from the front and he should enjoy this course and distance, although he is three points higher for his last win. Divine Odyssey is in good form and will enjoy this trip. Dark Moon Rising has topweight but has carried big weights before and this trip will suit him. The good draw of two might not suit him as he likes to be on the outside of horses. He should be finishing strongly.

Dawn Calling was most unlucky in the Flamboyant Stakes over 1600m at Greyville when climbing all over them but not being able to get through. She is interesting stepped up in trip from a good draw. Blackball ran a fine third in the July consolation race behind Head Honcho and the yard have him in good shape for this race. However, he does have a tough draw to overcome. Wealthy is 1,5kg under sufferance but if Hero Quest sets good fractions up front he has a chance as he can run on well when the pace is on. Affranchi might help ensure a good pace as he runs handy over shorter. He is interesting stepped up in trip being by Elusive Fort and might keep going. Amor Ardiente is in good form but does have a three point raise to contend with. However, he was staying on in an 1800m race on the poly in August and could be the dark horse. Sir Bernadini was well beaten by Amor Ardiente over 1600m last time and has a wide draw to overcome. He is consistent but has not placed in two runs at Scottsville which is a concern. Techno Captain has a hopeless task at the weights. Nicklaus’ sand rating dropped to 82 when he was in Kimberley but upon return to KZN he had to run off his turf rating and he finished downfield in the Christmas Handicap off this 94 rating. They are selected in the order mentioned.

Punters should get off to a good start the first race over 1000m with the Alyson Wright-trained Agent Murphy, who looks to be promising and will have come on from his debut where he was green.

Marcus could also win the second on the Nathan Kotzen-trained Amex who was green last time and now has blinkers on. The yard are confident of a good run. However, it is competitive and a few are in with chances.

In the first leg of the PA Cosmic Cutter was unlucky on debut and could make amends over this same course and distance.

In the first leg of the Pick 6 the unbeaten Born To Perform is on the up and after a comfortable win over 1600m last time can make it a hattrick over a 1400m trip which should suit as he has got into a handy positions easily from wide draws over 1600m and is now drawn well.    

In the fifth race over 1600m Leanna was mentioned by the Dennis Drier yard as one of their best chances on the day as she cracks a pole position draw over a suitable trip against an uninspiring field. However, Jo’burg raider Giglio has Marcus up and having run third to Blossom last time must have a shout.

In the sixth over 1200m Mardi Gras has class and could beat the honest and consistent Unbelievable Lad and the rangy speedster Captain Von Trapp.

The eighth is a competitive race over 1200m but the in form Nathan Kotzen yard have a strong coupling in Spring Breeze and Heart Of A legend who have to be included. Rocking Ruby will also be a big runner here.

In the last over 1000m Mademoiselle is a hard knocker in Jo’burg and can fight it out with Dieci.

By David Thiselton

Featured Image: Pietro Mascagni (JC Photographics)