Is there rain on the way?

Andrew Harrison

Even a multiple KZN champion trainer can hit a dry spell. Retirees, horses going off form and recent intakes proving thin on ability are the fate of many yards but the best always soldier on through the troughs. Dennis Drier has had a spell in the doldrums, but the stable is showing encouraging signs of a return to form and Drier holds a strong hand in the Pinnacles Stakes that heads the Hollywoodbets Scottsville card on Sunday.

He saddles Pray For Rain and Tempting Fate, second and first respectively in the Gr1 Gold Medallion two season’s back. Pray For Rain squeaked in a win on the last day of the season when winning the Umkomazi Stakes and with Tristan Godden retaining the ride. Tempting Fate has not managed the winner’s enclosure since his Gold Medallion success and his recent form is not inspiring. But the tongue-tie is back on and you write him off at your peril. With the recent win under his girth, Pray For Rain may prove the pick of the Drier pair but only the brave will be labelling anything in a seriously competitive sprint.

Captain Tatters took full advantage of a drop in class and favourable weight conditions to finally win his second race but he has come on nicely since being fitted with blinkers. He tried further last run but does seem better over this shorter trip. The speedy Chantyman will have plenty of supporters. He is quick and the best weighted. He is way better than his last effort in the Mercury Sprint where he was in contention until the final 100m before tiring late.

The key to cutting down on expenses in the exotics is finding a banker. Gareth van Zyl’s gelding Hasta Manana ticks all the boxes in the fifth and should he fail, he will consign a large number of exotic bet tickets to the recycle bin.

Hasta Manana looked the perfect fit when pencilled in for his last intended start but he was scratched ostensibly with an abnormal blood picture. That appears to be behind him and he must surely rate the most accomplished maiden in the country after finishing close-up in the Gr1 Premier’s Champion Stakes. That was his first run after gelding and with that run under his girth and a plum draw, it will come as a surprise should he get beaten.

If there is to be an upset, then Dean Kannemeyer’s charge Ideal Act may fit the bill. He has only had a single start on the Hollywoodbets Greyville poly and is sure to benefit from the outing.

In the card opener, Drive By made marked improvement when racing in first time blinkers and looks to have more to come. She may be the one to beat although the year older Leopard Lady has run two crackers on this course and will have plenty of supporters.

In the second, Symmetry was in contention until the final furlong of her last start and can come on strongly from that effort. Queen Mercury makes her local debut and was not far back in the soft in her last Kenilworth outing. Lightly raced but meets a modest field here.

MJ Odendaal appears to have found the right race for Duquesne Whistle in the third. Anton Marcus appears to have picked a plum here and she and rates the one to beat.

The fourth could potentially end up in a duel between Lucky Miss and October Song. Lucky Miss ran a cracker in The Debutante, taking on some of the best around, finishing five lengths off Maryah. The Howells stable is in mustard form of late which adds to the filly’s attraction.

October Miss on the other hand was supported like the result was already in the frame when making her debut, but Mike Miller’s charge was all at sea behind the well-fancied Kitten’s Adventure.

She is sure to have made the required improvement and Lucky Miss will need to be on her toes.

The seventh is a wide-open handicap but the Gary Rich-trained No Name Brand took on much stronger first time out of the maidens. He’s not the easiest at the gate but will go close if he gets through the loading ordeal. We All Chomies has been in good form on the poly for Kom Naidoo and a light weight should see him make a bold bid. Hampton Court and Chief Executive are others to consider in a race where it may pay to included the field in exotics.

Rachel Venniker is no ordinary apprentice and she won well on Lady Catherine when the filly made her debut for Michael Roberts. Venniker is full value for her 4kg claim and Lady Catherine can go in again. Maquette is rated by her stable and won well second time out. She looks useful and can give plenty of cheek. Lady Legend has been taking on stronger from wide draws at recent starts while Her Royal Majesty is down in class with a 4kg claimer up and one to watch in the betting