Only eight of the 26 entries for the R400 000, Grade 2 Track & Ball Derby, to be run over 2 400m at Scottsville on Sunday, have stood their ground making it a lot easier for last year’s winner of the race, Hot Ticket, to complete the double.

By comparison, 15 fillies will compete for the R187 500 first place cheque in the R300 000, Grade 2 Gold Circle Oaks making this race far more competitive.

The two races will be run at weight-for-age plus penalties related to previous successes and that has resulted in the weights looking way out of kilter related to those that would apply in a straight handicap. Merit ratings are given by the handicappers on their assessment of the runners’ ability and are applied in straight handicap events.

With a merit rating of 112, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Silvano gelding Hot Ticket is thrown in the race and, on paper and barring any unforeseen circumstances, appears one of the biggest certainties in recent South African racing.

Kingston Mines from the Mike de Kock stable, rated at 100, will carry joint top weight of 60kg with Hot Ticket with the balance of the runners also all well out at the weights. On straight handicap, Kingston Mines should be receiving 6kg from Hot Ticket while Disco Al, that receives 1kg from the top two, should be receiving 5.5kg from Hot Ticket.

The two three-year-olds, Krambambuli from the Justin Snaith stable and Hot Ticket’s stable companion, Master James, enjoy the 3kg weight-for-age allowance but still have a mammoth task ahead of them if their ratings are correct.

The Snaith-trained Black Minnaloushe filly Ash Cloud is set to carry top weight of 60kg in the Gold Circle Oaks, giving 2kg to the highest-rated filly in the race, Vino Veritas, from the Gavin van Zyl yard that should, on straight handicap, be giving Ash Cloud 3.5kg.

Ash Cloud should also be receiving weight on merit ratings from Gallica Rose, Shingwedzi and Supercede but has to concede 2kg to each of them.

The three-year-old fillies Patchit Up Baby and Olma, are well in at the weights on handicap which sets the scene for a very competitive contest and the possibility of a close finish.

Picture: Hot Ticket (Liesl King)