Scottsville has an eight race meeting tomorrow and it looks to be a competitive card, although punters have a fair chance of fishing out a few winners.
In the first over 1400m, Captain At Sea will relish the step up in trip having stayed all the way to the line over 1200m last time despite not having a smooth passage. He has a tricky draw of seven but does not look to be the type who will over race. Royal Yevahn ran well last time on the poly over thus trip despite being a bit hampered in the straight and the form of that race has worked out well so he could be a factor, although a wide draw is a concern. Geste is by Querari and is a half-brother to the useful Sabadell and he wears blinkers on debut from a tricky draw of nine. Gregorian Chant has been a touch disappointing in two KZN starts over 1200m, but as a full brother to the promising three-year-old Baritone he should get better with age and with a step up in trip. Galtero has run two fair races over 1200m, but the wide draw over the step up in trip is a concern.
In the second over 1400m, Intercept stayed on quite well from a good draw on debut over course and distance and has a good draw again. Dusk Beauty showed fair pace on debut over 1200m at Scottsville but had no answer to the winner and was comfortably beaten into fifth by 4,3 lengths. Being by Dynasty together with a good draw should help her stay the increase in trip. The form of Dunhallin’s debut over 1400m on the poly has worked out well, although she was well beaten and does now have a wide draw to overcome. Mostarda wasn’t disgraced on debut over 1200m and should appreciate the step up in trip, but she has a wide draw to overcome. Royal Agree was outpaced on debut, but stayed on and will appreciate the step up in trip. Momo is by Ideal World and is a half-sister to sprint handicapper Harrison, who won second time out over 1200m.
The third is a weak event over 1000m. Saber’s Beads has been a touch disappointing since showing good pace over 1200m here on debut and the yard said he would be fit enough returning from a layoff. Wavebreaker is a nice looking horse and is an interesting first-timer, being by Sail From Seattle and a half-brother to the classy Disa Leader, while Delpech is an eyecatching booking. Shoot The Bull has pace and the blinkers have helped, so he could go close considering his two good seconds in fair times over course and distance in his last two starts. At Variance has good pace and has gone close here from 1000-1200m so should run well fresh after a three month layoff. The Yogas Govender yard have worked around Roy’s Ark’s soundness issues and although “race rusty” he is fit and well and Govender reckoned he “would not disappoint”, so he could go close. Lucky Barb has shown good pace over course and distance twice, including when narrowly failing on debut, and will appreciate the step back to this trip.
Our Destiny (Nkosi Hlophe)
In the fourth over 1200m, Warm Night Alice went close on debut from a high draw in a similarly weak field and is now probably drawn on the right side according to trends. Electro Diva has some fair form in Cape Town over this trip and could go close in this uninspiring field. Queen’s Diamond was close to Warm Night Alice over course and distance last time out and has another low draw.
The fifth is a Pinnacle Stakes race over 1200m and Our Destiny is an up and coming sort who impressed last time here over 1100m and she could follow up, although she is officially 2kg under sufferance with the best weighted horse. Elusivenchantment was beaten only 2,55 lengths in the Gr 1 City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint over course and distance and has Delpech up, although the high draw might be a concern. Miss Varlicious is drawn on the right side over an ideal course and distance and is the best in at the weights. However, she now has to give weight to Elusivenchantment, who beat her comfortably in the City Of Pietermaritzburg Sprint, and Our Destiny also beat her comfortably last time. On the other hand this is her third run after a layoff.
The sixth is a MR 92 handicap over 1600m and Arctica is an interesting runner from pole position having won from handy positions over 1400m in his last two starts, when seen to still be travelling comfortably at the line. He has a six point merit rated raise to overcome, but Delpech keeps the ride. Greek Legend has disappointed over further since catching the eye in a win over this trip, so might appreciate the step back to this distance. Topweight Sylvester The Cat returns to the course and distance of his good win in March and is drawn well.
The seventh is a MR 72 Handicap over 1600m and Pirogue has improved lately so can go close with Delpech up from a fair draw. Royal Zulu Guard should be running on from a pole position draw over a suitable trip off an attractive merit rating. Whitley Willows proved last time over this trip at Greyville he is off a competitive merit rating and has a fair draw.
The eighth is a MR 76 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1950m and Ruby Gem was unlucky in her penultimate start over course and distance and the blinkers have come off after she over raced in them last time when not disgraced over 1900m at Greyville. She has a fine chance here with Delpech up from a good draw. The hard knocking Nina Katrina has a good draw for a change over a suitable trip and Anton Marcus is aboard. The consistent Vogue Idea is interesting tried over this trip as one who stays on over 1600m. She has a tricky draw of eight so might be dropped out before running on.
David Thiselton
