Scottsville’s racemeeting on Sunday will be full of intrigue as it features the Interprovincial Rider Cup between three teams of four jockeys, the KZN Falcons led by Anthony Delpech, the Highveld Hawks captained by S’Manga Khumalo and the Cape Eagles with Grant van Niekerk at the helm.

In race one of the day the Dennis Drier-trained Indian Tractor improved second time out and, being less exposed, can confirm the course and distance form with the main danger Baron Bellet. Exclusively Trendy is the one to watch among the first-timers.

In the second race Lady Penrhyn, thought good enough by Drier to be taken to Cape Town earlier this season, has come down to a competitive merit rating and has her third run after a layoff.

She’s A Fortress has excellent gatespeed and is capable of kicking on, so should enjoy the current fast conditions. Shezaleader is always a threat over this course and distance. Cosmic Burst should enjoy the step down in trip. Royal Kaitrina is a capable sort and always has to be considered.

The third is a weak maiden over 1600m and Mambo makes most appeal, despite a wide draw, as he moved up well over 1950m last time before losing on objection and might enjoy the step down in trip. Roy’s Dispren ran an improved race over this distance on the poly last time and is drawn well. Reserve runner Captain At Sea will be a big runner if making it into the field, while improvement might be seen from all of Dynasty gelding Filoli, who returns from a seven month layoff, Silvano gelding Viento and Bankable gelding Vested Interest.

The fourth is the first leg of the Rider Cup and in this weak maiden over 1400m Aldo Domeyer could score for the Cape Eagles aboard Gordon’s Cungee, who is improving and is over an ideal trip, although the wide draw is a concern. Liberty Market with Antony Delpech up for the KZN Falcons and Power Horse with Andrew Fortune up for the Highveld Hawks also have tricky draws to overcome too, but have both shown enough to be factors. Dundrum and Shrike are two others to consider.

The fifth is the second leg of the Rider Cup and Escovitch has been knocking on the door so Karl Zechner of the Highveld Hawks could score over a suitable course and distance. Very Vary was caught wide on the poly last time over 1400m and might appreciate both the step down in trip and the straight, so could score some points for Anton Marcus of the KZN Falcons. Chicago Beat was slow away on debut and never showed, but being a R1 million purchase by Silvano is entitled to improve enough to score some points for Domeyer.

The sixth is a MR 82 Handicap over 1600m and Mountain Master can do better than last time, so can score over a suitable trip off a one point lowered merit rating. New Hampshire enjoys Scottsville and is distance suited, so could make it two on the trot with the same 4kg apprentice up from a plum draw. The consistent Cat In Command is course and distance suited and drawn well so should go close despite carrying a welter burden. Saint Marco returns from a seven month layoff but is talented, drawn in pole  and Delpech is an eye-catching booking. Night Shadow was a July entry so is highly thought of and has been effective over this trip before, although the wide draw is a concern and he also has 62kg to shoulder.

The seventh is the third leg of the Rider Cup and in this MR66 Handicap over 1950m topweight Wealthy looks the one to beat as the form of his last two runs over 1800m and 2400m respectively have worked out well and he is well drawn under Marcus. Silver Rose caught the eye when winning his maiden over 1600m and he looks likely to enjoy the step up in trip and should go close from a decent draw under Keagan de Melo of the Falcons. Starrett City caught the eye too when winning his maiden on the poly over this trip and can’t be ignored despite a wide draw.

The eighth is a  the last leg of the Rider Cup, a MR 80 handicap over 1200m, and Fortune could score on the talented Singh Is King, who will relish the step down to this trip and has his third run after gelding off a six point lowered merit rating. Black Tractor has his third run after a rest and gelding and if bouncing back to his best Cape Town form should go close under Marcus. Hip Hop Dancer has won over course and distance before and has come down to an attractive merit rating.

The last is a MR 66 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1200m and Seventh Moment could be the one to side with as she went close over course and distance last time out with this 4kg claimer up and seems to have come into her own. Kingsview could score with a 4kg claimer up off just a two point higher mark than her win over course and distance two runs ago.  Roy’s Zaire could earn as she was still green when showing pace and staying on to win her maiden over course and distance.

David Thiselton