The Listed Michael Roberts Handicap over 1750m heads a nine race card at Scottsville on Sunday and it looks to be as competitive as ever.

Rikitikitana proved he prefers turf when winning the Gr 3 Christmas Handicap over 1600m at Greyville in fluent style. He has been seen to run on over 1800m before, so should enjoy this trip. He does have to handle a four point merit rated raise, but has a fair draw.

Mr Winsome is a typically progressive son of Silvano and from a good draw of two will be a big runner over a probably ideal trip. Caribbean Day is 2kg under sufferance on official merit ratings, but was unlucky last time in the KZN Summer Challenge 1600 final, so is the dark horse here over a trip he should enjoy.

Stormy Eclipse’s five wins have all been on the poly, but he was staying on in the Christmas Handicap and is 1,5kg better off for a three length beating by Rikitikitana. Furthermore, he is drawn in pole position.

Run Rhino Run is a talented sort, but can be headstrong so the step up in trip is a concern, especially from his tricky draw. He will need a good pace and this could perhaps be provided by Sylvester The Cat. The latter is an enigmatic sort who does possess plenty of ability and he reserves his best for Scottsville, so could be a big runner here as he is likely to be at his peak. Kitty’s Destiny returns from a seven month layoff over a trip short of his best and this talented, long strider can’t be ignored from a good draw.

Princess Varunya would prefer further, but is a classy sort and from a good draw can’t be ignored. Ashton Park showed in the Michaelmas, when running on for second, he can go further than a mile and is another interesting runner, although he has the widest draw of all to contend with like he did when staying on in the Christmas Handicap.

Double Clutch is effective over this trip and better than his last run as he did not act in the soft on that occasion. However, he has a tough draw to overcome and is high enough in the merit ratings. Open Heir sneaks into the handicap with the minimum weight, but has a tough draw and is nine points higher than when winning over course and distance in September. They are selected in the order mentioned.

In the fifth race over 1200m, the second leg of the Pick 6, the course record holder Humidor returns from a three-and-half month layoff and will be hard to beat under Anton Marcus as he is likely better than his 86 merit rating suggests.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a weak maiden over 1200m and Intercept and Spiritofadventure should get punters through.

The third leg of the Pick 6 is a competitive 1000m handicap for fillies and mares, but the three who stand out are Just Vogue, Mygirldownunder and Vision To Kill.

In the next leg of the Pick 6 over 2400m, Delirious Nomad is interesting despite being by the sprinter Rebel King as he was staying on well over 1950m last time, and Calabash, Dunham, Smart World, Sabre Charge and Shirley Valentine can also be included.

In the last leg of the Pick 6, a maiden for fillies and mares over 1600m, On That Note looks the one to beat, but Baobab should improve over this trip, Liberty Market has a chance, Pippin must be included and Movinglikeawinner should improve over the trip.

By David Thiselton