There are two eight race meetings in KZN this weekend, a polytrack card at Greyville tonight, and racing around the turn makes its comeback at Scottsville on Sunday.

There look to be one or two opportunities for punters on both cards and the Pick 6 (carryover pool estimated R1.1million) looks catchable tonight.

The first race tonight is a Maiden over 1900m and Jullidar is knocking on the door and is course and distance suited so is the one to beat with Anton Marcus up despite a wide draw. Roy’s Tiger stayed on at one pace over 1800m last time on the turf  and could earn. Tayaar looks likely to relish the step up in trip having stayed on over 1600m last time and he should finish in the first three, although he is yet to justify the betting support he has sometimes received.

The second is a MR 80 Handicap over 1900m and Night Shadow has really come into his own, not surprisingly being by Silvano, and looks the one to beat from a good draw because recently he has struck as one who can rise above his current merit rating of 82. Kitty’s Destiny is also a progressive sort and was unlucky last time out over 2000m on the poly when hampered at a crucial stage in the straight. Mr Winsome is another progressive sort by Silvano and will likely give plenty of cheek over this suitable course and distance.

The third is a MR69 Handicap over 1900m. The Alec Laird-trained Gauteng raider Arabian World has caught the eye before over this sort of trip and enjoys the Vaal sand so, as a possibly  still improving son of ideal World, makes appeal from a good draw. Willoughton won his maiden by six lengths over 1600m and is reunited with Anton Marcus for the first time since. He is a half-brother to an Opera King gelding who won over 2400m so should stay the trip.

Avaricious could benefit from having Muzi Yeni aboard as he is capable of winning a race like this if he settles over this sort of distance. Royal Lance is interesting as one who was tried over further early in his career and ran on well over 1600m last time, but he is worse off at the weights with Willoughton despite being beaten by him last time. Told You So could be involved off a reduced merit rating over an ideal trip as long as he doesn’t lose Too much ground at the start.

The fourth is a Maiden over 1600m and Alec Laird could claim a quick double as Seattle Prince has been knocking on the door on the Highveld and his formline looks relatively strong here. Soldier’s Code has ability and his best poly run was over this trip so he could bounce back. Le Cheik was outpaced and pushed along throughout over 1200m last time but finished well and will relish the step up in trip. King’s Wager stayed on well for third from this identical draw over course and distance last time. Dhaamer finished second over course and distance last time in a similar field but is drawn much wider now.

The fifth is a MR 66 Handicap over 1200m and Eternal Ice looks well handicapped on his best performances and proved last time out his suitability to this trip. Dreamy Forest is interesting as one who has run two decent races in his last two, including from a tough draw at Scottsville, and is now drawn well. Moonlite Mist is in good form and will enjoy the step up to 1200m.

The sixth is a MR 74 Handicap over 1400m and Buster Brown, as one who moves up effortlessly but doesn’t enjoy being in front, can go in again off just a two point higher mark than his last course and distance win. Spanish Captain has talent and is looking for this step up in trip so should be thereabouts from draw two with Delpech keeping the ride. Ferdnand The Bull should earn over an ideal course and distance from pole position.

The seventh is a MR 64 Handicap over 1400m for fillies and mares and Zaida has always struck as a sort who would improve as she got older so she should be a big runner stepped back in trip having won her maiden over 1200m. Hunger Games is an interesting runner off a competitive merit rating as she was unlucky the last time she ran on the poly over 1600m and was caught wide last time out so that run can be excused. She is now well drawn with a good rider aboard and this trip suits her as she is quite strong in the running and has a turn of foot if finding cover. Just Rap caught the eye when winning and being dropped seven points after her last run should see her in with a shout over a trip which should suit.

The eighth is a MR 64 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1400m and Tigeress Dance had some fair Cape Town form, including finishing just 3,45 lengths behind the top class Silver Mountain over this trip. She is the one to beat as she looked to need her first start in KZN and was affected by a bump at the start. Spiritos was not harshly treated by the handicapper after winning her debut over course and distance and the form has worked out well.  She does have a wide draw to overcome but should be thereabouts. Love Conquers All is distance suited and proved last time she is now off a potentially winning merit rating.

At Scottsville on Sunday the highlight will be the return of the classy Unbelievable Chad in a MR 87 Handicap over 1600m, his first run since being scratched at the start of the Investec Dingaans after running away with his jockey down to the start. He has to carry topweight but could still do it. However, Team Guys has always been well regarded and has come into his own so could be the one to beat receiving 6kg plus a 2,5kg apprentice claim from Unbelievable Chad. Olympic Bolt won well over course and distance last time and has a chance too from a good draw.

By David Thiselton

Picture (Nkosi Hlophe): Eternal Ice