Andrew Harrison

IT’S been two months since Hollywoodbets Scottsville saw a racehorse with the track undergoing its annual spring treatment and with ample spring rains to help, tomorrow’s runners should be racing on a ‘billiard table’.

Many trainers have taken the opportunity to race on fresh turf and punters are faced with well-filled fields that should make for top racing.

The card opener is a work riders’ race where you pays your money and takes your chances.

Yessiricanboogie is a quick filly but ran way below form last run and probably needed it although she did find some market support. Gareth van Zyl’s filly has been up against much stronger of late and Aaron Xabendlini has a top strike rate in these races. Michael Roberts has been a good to Rachel Venniker, always giving her a ‘live’ runner and she partners Sir Pom. He is the highest rated horse in the field and may just have needed his last outing.

Tristan Mustard is headed to the UK on Monday to take up a position with top jumps trainer Nicky Henderson and delayed his departure to ride Father’s Frost for Kom Naidoo. Father’s Frost took on much stronger last run. He has improved with a tongue-tie and goes well this course. Callan Dixon rides Light The Loose who may just need it. But he has been contesting features since his maiden win and has a touch of class.

Should Dixon pull this off, it could be a family double with father Mark sending out favourite Prince Tyrion in the second. Prince Tyrion came in for heavy market support last run and with a strong tailwind helping the runners home Ashton Arries took off like a dirty shirt, trying to lead all the way. He beat all but Palace Wind who finished like ‘the wind’. He will probably be better this shorter trip.

After a frustrating spell in the doldrums, Duncan Howells’s string is finding form and he will be looking to Irish Belle to build on her current good form. Narrowly beaten into second at her last three, she is due a change of fortune.

Her two biggest dangers are also Ashburton-based. The Kom Naidoo filly Badrah made a smart debut for her new stable when drawn widest at Greyville and must have a big chance on a repeat showing while Jarett Rugg is still looking for his first win in KZN and Cherry Tomatoes has made good improvement in blinkers and looked a winner last start.

Best bet on the card comes in the first leg of the Pick 6 with Banzai Pipeline, named after the infamous and dangerous Hawaiian surfing spot.

Garth Puller’s runner ran a cracker from a wide draw last time out and has a plum draw this time around. He is by far the highest rated runner in the field and he should be hard to beat.

Pinnacle Plates over 2400m are as scarce as hen’s teeth. It is something of a catch 22 situation for the operator as these races are often under subscribed and either abandoned due to a lack of numbers or only attracting a few runners that does not make for optimum betting turnover.

But top horses in this category get limited opportunities and a Pinnacle Stakes event gives them an opportunity without having to carry the grandstand in lower handicaps.

Marchingontogether disappointed in a slow-run Gold Cup and his run since was too short. His last success was over course and distance and he should put in a big effort. American Indian made a promising debut for his new stable and steps up to what may prove to be his optimum trip. The mare Flichity By Farr has been rested since the Gold Cup where she ran a cracker with first time blinkers. She stays well and will be a factor.