The KZN Winter Challenge Day at Scottsville provides an opportunity for smaller owners to earn a bigger cheque as the three Challenge finals each carry a stake of R200,000 tomorrow.

In the 1200m Challenge, Piano Man has come down to an attractive merit rating and will be a big runner here for a trainer who knows how to get them ready. Hunting Owl is a horse on the up who improved with first time blinkers last time, winning a handicap over course and distance by 3,75 lengths. He could follow up as the win was probably worth more than the maximum eight point raise he was given. London Call is a talented sprinter who could rise above his current merit rating of 94. He could possibly carry 62kg to victory and the Scottsville sprint course bias appears to have evened out lately so his high draw of 15 shouldn’t be a major disadvantage. Libertine is an honest sort who enjoys the Scottsville 1200m and he should be right there again. Sea Fever has scope for improvement and drops back to the 1200m of his two career wins. Fortissimo is also a talented sort and stepping back in distance could also aid his cause. Buffalo Bill makes most appeal of the rest.

In the 1950m Challenge, Crime Victim has been knocking on the door since his last win. He finished third in a feature over 2400m last time out but his last win was over this course and distance. He should be fit and could go close. Oh Boy appears to love Scottsville and should handle this trip. Cat In Command is another horse who enjoys Scottsville and on pedigree he should stay this trip, although his wide draw is a concern. Semra is the only filly in the race but is course and distance suited. Topweight Assegai has gone close in two runs over course and distance, albeit off a lower merit rating, and he could feature with championship chasing Gavin Lerena aboard despite carrying topweight. Night Lock is 0,5kg under sufferance but has a 4kg claimer aboard and usually runs well over this sort of trip at Scottsville. Kentucky Guest’s last win was over course and distance and at his best he could earn here off just a three point higher mark.

In the 1600m Challenge, Saratoga Dancer has a lot of class and should rise above his 88 merit rating. Auction King was quite close in a Listed race over 1750m here last time and is suited to this trip, so should be thereabouts despite a wide draw. Caribbean Day has been transformed since cheek pieces were fitted and goes for a course and distance hat-trick. The wide draw shouldn’t bother him. Vienna Wood is ideally course and distance suited and should be involved from a similar draw to his last win here. Rockaberry Lane is a full-sister to Gr 1 Cape Guineas winner Solo Traveller and is stepped up to this trip from pole position. Translunar improved with blinkers last time when second to a talented sort over this trip on the Greyville poly. He has run well over course and distance before and is well drawn. Silver Spring has been knocking on the door since his last win and appears to enjoy Scottsville. Tell The Tale is a well bred progressive sort who should be distance suited but he is returning from a three month layoff. Baltic Amber ran well at Scottsville last time and has to be considered.

The first race should be won by the well regarded Beluga, who was unfortunate to bump into a good one in both of his career starts.

The well-bred Deeyala, a Western Winter filly out of the speedy Gr 2 runner up Dijla, could prove to be the one to beat in the second race as none of the experienced horses make much appeal.

Mike de Kock should also win the third as Sharp Princess looks hard to oppose.

In the fourth race the two-year-old Kitty’s Destiny was green and didn’t have much luck over 1200m at Greyville last time and she could represent fair eachway value here against an uninspiring field.

Jet Explorer looks a penalty kick in the fifth race over 1400m and Surefire could fill the other exacta position from a good draw over an ideal course and distance.

The two-year-old Fort Ember should win the last, although Cakewalk could give her a race as she is better than her last start.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Jet Explorer (Nkosi Hlophe)