The Scottsville meeting on Sunday features the Non-Black Type Marula Sprint over 1200m.
Sniper Shot, who returns from a layoff, was fancied for last year’s Tsogo Sun Sprint, but after being scratched due to a pulled muscle in his back came out three weeks later and won the Post Merchants.
Trainer Paul Lafferty said, “He is very well and working very well. He is an athlete so I don’t think he will need it. He is a serious runner.”
Desolate Road is a promising sort who should be at his peak in his third run after a layoff over an ideal trip.
Di Mazzio has a shout having proved in his penultimate start on the poly he gets this trip. He is still well handicapped on his best form.
Hard To Play has some class and is course and distance suited.
Tribal Fusion is also distance suited and goes for a hattrick.
Cuvura is consistent and carrying just 52,5kg over a suitable trip has a shout.
The first leg of the PA over 1000m should be fought out by Tarocco, who will enjoy the step down in trip, and Dancing Princess, who is a hard knocker who went close the last time she ran this trip. Fleek must also be considered due to the turn around in form of the Louis Goosen yard.
The first leg of the Pick 6 over 1950m could be won by the Duncan Howells-trained Stolen Paradise, who is a half-brother to the Track And Ball Derby winner Cape Speed. He will appreciate the step up in trip. Jack Of Hearts and Roy’s Flash make most appeal of the rest. Clouds Of Witness has a wide draw but is hard to leave out and Auld Reekie also has to be considered. .
In the first leg of the Jackpot over 2400m Ballymaine will relish this course and distance and is well drawn in his third run after a layoff so can be risked as a banker. Beyond him it is wide open,
In the next race over 1750m Bon Bon has always truck as having ability and this Bold Silvano mare now looks to have come into her own. She can overcome a seven point raise after winning full of running over 1600m last time. The Johannesburg raider Pretty Ballerina has to be included despite a wide draw.
The seventh race over 1600m could fall to Bravo Bravo who has not been disgraced behind two fair sorts in his last two starts. Baltic Amber looks to be the danger.
In the last race over 1600m Victorious Man will be hard to beat. Jurist proved he is better than his previous form suggested last time and is the main danger from a good draw over an ideal trip with first-time blinkers on.
By David Thiselton
