Devonne Govender

Racing action takes place at Hollywoodbets Scottsville this Sunday featuring a competitive eight-race programme.

Gotta Go Eddie, trained by Mathew and Mike De Kock, he is selected as the best bet of the day. Although he faces some formidable rivals, the gelding appears to be progressing well and is expected to be fighting out the finish. Narrowly beaten in his last outing, Gotta Go Eddie finished strongly, which caught the eye, and with his light weight, he should run a big race.

The main danger to him is African Dusk, trained by Garth Puller, who has performed admirably in his last two starts. Expect a bold showing from the latter, as he remains a serious contender.

The day’s value bet comes in the lucky last, where Darryl Moore’s charge Danube is poised to challenge. With apprentice Mxolisi Mbuto claiming 2.5kgs, Danube is expected to be a major player, especially since he hasn’t had the best luck recently.

Known for his ability to dictate pace, if he can secure an easy lead, he could prove difficult to catch. Moore commented, “He is extremely well within himself, and if things go according to plan, he should be right there at the finish.”

In race 3, Poetic Princess from Candice Bass’s yard stands out hence she is the top selection. With apprentice Dezahn Louw aboard, who has previously ridden her at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, she’s expected to go very well, given her good form in Cape Town.

Another runner with a lively chance is Rafa’s Boy, trained by Gareth Van Zyl. He races well at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, and with apprentice Savanna Valjalo claiming 4kgs, a strong performance is anticipated from the son of Rafeef.

In race 5, Paul Matchett’s Two Miles West, drawn on the inside, is expected to be competitive. The gelding’s recent form has been consistent and his last victory was impressive when pulling clear of his rivals.

Uzwano, from Dean Kannemeyer’s yard, could also feature prominently. Having performed well at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, he’s capable of producing a strong finish and should be included in all bets.

Overall, the card promises plenty of competitiveness and value, making for an exciting day of racing.

RACE 1

5) Dungeon Master is the only raced runner in this compact field, with experience under the belt he will have the advantage however his form certainly doesn’t stand out with all due respect. The best guide could be the market as there are some well bred horses in this line up. Keep a close eye on the betting market, listen to trainer comments and watch these runners move down to start. (Devonne Govender).

RACE 2

(5) LOU LOU ran well in the last start and is expected to build on that hence she is the top choice. (8) CAPTAIN VENTURA is another who is likely to improve with a run under the belt and will get closer. (3) PERFUME POWER is holding form and will be in the firing line. (4) AUSTRIAN BEAUTY ran a cracker at huge odds, a repeat will see her in the finish. (Devonne Govender 5-8-3-4).

RACE 3

(8) POETIC PRINCESS is holding consistent form, although she takes on the boys from a tough draw she has the claimer up which makes her a serious contender. (7) TRIPPING THUNDER ran well in the last start and will be in the firing line if repeating that performance. (1) RAFA’S BOY goes extremely well at this track, he gets the claimer aboard and will go very close here, include in everything. (2) BLESS ME FRED ran well to finish 3rd in his last start and will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 8-7-1-2).

RACE 4

A race where many are expected to improve after making decent enough debut efforts. (8) BUDDY BOY ran well on debut and should appreciate the step up in trip so must be respected. (3) HAMILTON HERO is another who performed well on debut and is open to any amount of improvement over this 1600m trip. (4) SUNNYBILLS FERRARI ran well over 1400m on debut and big improvement can be expected now with the extended trip, another with a massive winning chance. (1) TEE DOG has never been far back and has the benefit of the ace draw so will be in the mix. (Devonne Govender 8-4-3-1).

RACE 5

(1) TWO MILES WEST will jump from the best draw and will have every chance, huge runner here. (3) UZWANO has been racing in good form and another bold showing is expected, include in all bets. (6) GIMMEANOTHERCHANCE has always shown ability and on best form will blow this field away. (5) ACTOR ran a cracker in the last start and will be there again, respect. (Devonne Govender 1-3-6-5).

RACE 6

(5) GOTTA GO EDDIE ran a cracker in his last start, he certainly caught the eye as a progressive type and should take some beating here hence he is the firm first choice. (9) AFRICAN DUSK has been racing extremely well and a decent run can be expected. (3) PAPA C seldom runs a bad race, he will contest the finish on best form. (2) LEXICAN POINT is capable of better, one of these days he will pop up. (Devonne Govender 5-9-3-2).

RACE 7

(5) DAWN SURPRISE is holding good recent form, she is expected to go very close under the in-form apprentice. (2) GOLDEN ASPEN represents good Highveld form and put in a decent run in her last start, a must include in all bets. (1) WILLIAM WEST is capable of much better, he is capable of running a big race here and represents value. (4) BOARDWALK BREEZE has scope to go well, he won his maiden easily and should be respected. (Devonne Govender 5-2-1-4).

RACE 8

(4) DANUBE is capable of much better and represents the value here. He has a decent enough draw with the in-form apprentice aboard and a huge run is expected. (2) VOLDEMORT is never far back and another honest run can be expected. (10) DOWN BY THE RIVER flashed up to run third and is capable of winning this, include in all bets. (12) INTREPID ran a cracker at huge odds and a repeat of that will see him finishing in the money. (Devonne Govender 4-2-10-12).

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David Thiselton

The Hollywoodbets Durbanville meeting on Saturday offers some good opportunities for punters.

In the second race Astronomical Boy was sent off at 100/1 in his second start despite being by three-time champion stallion Gimmethegreenlight and a half-brother to Gr 1 winner over a mile, Cosmic Speed. He showed those odds were all wrong by finishing a 0,60 length third to Nightrain, who is a full-brother to Gr 1-winning sprinter and now sire Thunderstruck. Astronomical Boy runs over the same 1250m course and distance, but on the downside he jumped from draw two last time and now has to overcome the widest draw of all, ten out of ten. His stablemate Clark Griswold caught the eye on debut despite being beaten 7,85 lengths, also over this course and distance. He was dropped out to last from a wide draw that day and made some good inroads in the straight before being cramped for room late. The winner of that race looks very promising indeed, so from draw two this time Clark Griswold could be a runner.

In the third race Up In Flames finished three lengths behind Beach Verse last time over 1500m and the latter is by champion stallion Vercingetorix and is a half-sister to crack dual Gr 1 winner Beach Bomb. Up In Flames is by stamina influence Futura, so will enjoy the further 100m step up in trip to 1600m and he now has a plum draw of three as opposed to a tricky draw of six last time. Champagne Blaze showed good improvement second time out when stepped up to this trip and he should run well from a middle draw of seven out of 13.

In the fourth race over 1600m Gold Dust went close over 1500m last time and now has pole position as opposed to draw seven out of eight last time. He is 2,5kg better off with Pinot Grigio for a three length beating over 1600m at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth in May and he has a draw reversal arguably in his favour too. There should not be much in it. Get Impressed has some class and should also do well. Chasingtherainbow comes off a hattrick so must be respected despite returning from a three month rest. Widely drawn Vapour Trail is by Erik The Red and is a half-brother to top class dual Gr 1 winner One Stripe, so must be respected too.

In the fifth over 1800m State Capitol has been on the up since getting used to blinkers and he could be a runner, although he is 1kg worse off with Baton Rouge from their last meeting despite being beaten 0,75 lengths by him on that occasion.

In the sixth race over 1000m Dean Street is in form and represents an in form yard, so can go close but the choice is Un Bel Di based on his excellent effort in a Listed race over this trip last time at Hollywoodbets Greyville.

In the seventh over 1250m Roland Garros could well enjoy the step down in trip on pedigree and has a plum draw, so is taken to beat the well drawn Silver Crown, who lost by 1,50 lengths last time to Scottish Kiss and is now 2kg better off and better drawn.

In the eighth over 1250m the well drawn Ozark might upset because his pedigree suggests he might well enjoy the step down to a sprint and although spending his whole career running over further the blinkers are quite a recent addition and that could sharpen him up. Gravity will be dangerous from pole position.

Gimme What I Want makes a lot of appeal in the last race as she has a lot of scope for improvement and has a fair draw off a reasonable merit rating on her handicap bow.

RACE 1

3 LYRICAL GANGSTER 4 STORMIN ATTACK 8 THESHOWMUSTGOON 7 CARIBBEAN GOLD

Preview: 3 LYRICAL GANGSTER ran a fair race last time out over this trip and looks to be on the up, so could do well here from draw three. 4 STORMIN ATTACK is by the United States out of a four time-winning Western Winter mare. 8 THESHOWMUSTGOON is by Trippi out of a Listed-winning Jet Master mare, but he does have the widest draw of all on debut. 7 CARIBBEAN GOLD is by Elusive Fort out of a four time-winning Silvano mare and she has a wide draw too. (David Thiselton 3-4-8-7)

RACE 2

10 ASTRONOMICAL BOY 2 CLARK GRISWOLD 5 AIN’T NO SUNSHINE 4 FREQUENT TRAVELLER

Preview: 10 ASTRONOMICAL BOY went close second time out against two very promising horses and if able to overcome a wide draw he should be hard to beat. 2 CLARK GRISWOLD caught the eye staying on from last against a very useful looking sort and from a good draw he could make his presence felt. 5 AIN’T NO SUNSHINE is by What A Winter and is a half-sister to the useful Rodeo Drive, who finished second in the Gr 1 Allan Robertson. 4 FREQUENT TRAVELLER  is by Querari out of a dual Listed-winning Silvano mare. (David Thiselton 10-2-5-4)

RACE 3

3 UP IN FLAMES 7 CHAMPAGNE BLAZE 4 RED STATE 1 TAYLOR’S VERSION

Preview: 3 UP IN FLAMES ran a fair race from a tricky draw when stepped up to 1500m and from a good draw should go close over a step up in trip she should relish. 7 CHAMPAGNE BLAZE was backed last time over this trip and was not disgraced but does have a tricky draw now. 4 RED STATE ran a fair race when  stepped up to 1700m and from a similar draw should be in the shake-up. 1 TAYLOR’S VERSION has been going close from 1200m up to 1400m and tries further although being by Rafeef out of a speedy Qui Danzig mare she is not sure to appreciate the step up in trip. (David Thiselton 3-7-4-1)

RACE 4

1 GOLD DUST 2 PINOT GRIGIO 4 GET IMPRESSED 6 CHASINGTHERAINBOW

Preview: 1 GOLD DUST is drawn in pole over a step up in trip which should suit and he could surprise. 2 PINOT GRIGIO is knocking on the door and should be right there although he is coming back from a short layoff. 4 GET IMPRESSED  is course and distance suited and should be in the shake-up. 6 CHASINGTHERAINBOW comes off a hat-trick and should be in the shake-up despite coming back from a three-month layoff. (David Thiselton 1-7-4-6)

RACE 5

5 STATE CAPITOL 1 BATON ROUGE 3 COSMIC RHYTHM 6 THE NIGHT FERRY

Preview: 5 STATE CAPITOL has hard knocking form and over an ideal trip could be the one to beat from a fair draw. 1 BATON ROUGE is drawn in pole and will relish this course and distance so should be right there. 3 COSMIC RHYTHM was a bit disappointing last time but can do better and is drawn well so should be in the shake-up. 6 THE NIGHT FERRY is capable of improvement and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 5-1-3-6)

RACE 6

4 UN BEL DI 1 DEAN STREET 2 PAPILLON BLU 6 CHAMPAGNE KISSES

Preview: 4 UN BEL DI ran a fine race last time behind a useful sort in a listed event over this trip so he is a big runner here. 1 DEAN STREET has good form and over an ideal trip is drawn in pole so could register his eighth win. 2 PAPILLON BLU comes off a hat-trick and should enjoy the 1000m but does have a five point merit rating raise to overcome. 6 CHAMPAGNE KISSES has a wide draw to overcome but is capable and can’t be ignored. (David Thiselton 4-1-2-6)

RACE 7

2 ROLAND GARROS 3 SILVER CROWN 4 OLIVER 1 DREAMWORLD

Preview: 2 ROLAND GARROS disappointed last time but over this shorter trip in a weaker field he should have a big chance.3 SILVER CROWN is course and distance suited and well drawn and should be in the shake-up having done well in first time blinkers last time. 4 OLIVER is a consistent sort and over a suitable course and distance from a fair draw should be right there.1 DREAMWORLD should enjoy the step down in trip and can go close from pole position. (David Thiselton 2-3-4-1)

RACE 8

2 OZARK 1 GRAVITY 8 TAMBOURINE MAN 9 LOVERS LANE

Preview: 2 OZARK might well enjoy the step down in trip here from a good draw has a shout. 1 GRAVITY will enjoy this course and distance and from pole position should be right there under a 4kg claimer. 8 TAMBOURINE MAN could be right there too if able to overcome a wide draw as he went close last time over this distance category. 9 LOVERS LANE also has the ability to be involved if able to overcome a wide draw.  (David Thiselton 2-1-8-9)

RACE 9

4 GIMME WHAT I WANT 5 MARITZBURG MEMORY 9 SPLASH OF COLOUR 10 TULIP FIELDS

Preview: 4 GIMME WHAT I WANT has a fair draw over a suitable trip and can follow up on her maiden win. 5 MARITZBURG MEMORY is an honest sort who has a chance in this line up. 9 SPLASH OF COLOUR won easily last time out in the maiden ranks so if able to overcome a wide draw she will be right there.  10 TULIP FIELDS also won her maiden well and if able to overcome a wide draw can be right there too. (David Thiselton 4-5-9-10)