The KZN challenge for the Gr 1 Tsogo Sun Sprint to be run on June 3 over 1200m at Scottsville is looking increasingly strong.

The Michael Roberts-trained Muscatt showed his breaking of the recent Scottsville 1000m course record was no fluke when winning just as impressively over the same course and distance on Sunday in a time of 56,18 seconds, just 0,37 seconds off his own record.

Muscatt (Nkosi Hlophe)

He downed another Tsogo Sun candidate, the Dean Kannemeyer-trained Captain Alfredo by 0,75 lengths despite starting at odds of 17/10 compared to the latter’s even money. Muscatt was ridden by apprentice Calvin Habib and had the latter’s 2,5 kg claim as the only weight advantage over Captain Alfredo. However, Captain Alfredo will appreciate the extra 200m of the Tsogo Sun (he looks likely to be a huge runner), while the jury will be out on Muscatt in that regard as his form suggests he prefers the minimum trip.

The Roberts-trained Natal will be another big runner if he lines up in the Tsogo Sun as expected and will certainly enjoy the 1200m trip.

Mark Dixon’s London Call was beaten 2,5 lengths into second place by Muscatt when the latter broke the Scottsville 1000m record, although he was giving the latter 1.5kg. He might go straight for the Tsogo Sun due to his soundness issues and is another who will love the 1200m trip.

The Dennis Drier-trained Triptique likely needed his run on Sunday and was 3,5 lengths behind Muscatt, but he is classy and progressive and will also relish the step up to 1200m. His stablemate Barbosa has had a cracking season and is another who could bolster the KZN challenge.

Meanwhile the recent Scottsville 1200m record breaker Humidor has been entered by trainer Tony Rivalland in a MR 82 handicap over 1200m at Scottsville this Sunday. He is only merit rated 80, despite his debut in a four start career to date being his only defeat, so has his work cut out to make it into the Tsogo Sun field.

By David Thiselton