Most owners would give their eye-teeth to own a horse that pays its way and is not a continual drain on the pocket. There are a few that fit that bill when they line up in the seventh at Scottsville on Sunday where a win adds up to more than just a stakes cheque.

With many close to a future in the breeding paddocks the fillies and mares handicap that heads the card is seriously competitive with one more win on the pedigree CV worth another few thousand rand to the owners on retirement and possibly even more in the sales ring.

Respect At Bay has been a consistent earner for her owners and Garth Puller’s runner looks ready to add to her record. She has been close-up in every start since her last win and last time out only found the progressive Elusive Enchantment too hot to handle. She has another light weight on Sunday and a good record over course and distance.

The Pat Lunn-trained Timeous is lightly raced and has had one outing since a break where she was running on nicely behind Strategic Move on the Greyvile poly. The Lunn yard has been a little quite this winter but now that the visiting trainers have packed up and gone home one can expect an upswing from the stable and both of their filly’s wins have come over Sunday’s course and distance.

Dennis Drier has got his season off to a flier with four winners at Scottsville last Sunday and he saddles Well In Flight. She finished behind Elusivenchantment at her most recent outing but flyjumped out of the gate which cost her precious ground. She drops in class here and with Kegan de Melo in the irons she rates as another likely winner.

Mamasita races in blinkers for the first time and being an older mare they may be what’s needed to bring the best out of her.

To sum up, the list of possible winners is a long one but Respect At Bay has a lot in her favour and is taken to get home ahead of Timeous and Well In Flight.

The ten-race card has attracted huge fields and punters will have their skills well and truly tested as there does not appear to be a single outstanding bet on the card.

In the opening leg of the Pick 6 Marshall That made good improvement at his second start and from a good draw in a weak field should be right there. Angel Landing showed up well at long odds on debut. He should come on from that and can feature again. Purple Splash is lightly raced and was a close-up second over course and distance last time out. He has been rested but should feature in this field.

If there is a possible banker on the card it could come in the form of the Duncan Howells-trained Chicago Beat in the fifth. He was a late starter but made big improvement at his second outing and although draw a touch wide he looks to be a cut above this field. A possible danger is Sun Dynasty who has his first run for a new stable. He has shown flashes of ability in the Cape and can feature in this weak field.

There are many in with claims in the sixth. Ante Omnia shed his maiden on the poly last start but does appear to have some scope and can follow up. Promissory has consistent sprint form and did well in feature company last time out. With a claiming apprentice up he looks to be a big runner in this company. Paul Lafferty’s mare Pearl Emblem takes on males but is always game. She does have a difficult draw to overcome. Roy’s Taxi has the worst of the draw but has been close-up at recent outings and with a claiming apprentice up must also have a winning chance.

Dennis Drier (Nkosi Hlophe)

Drier looks to have another strong chance of a winner in the eighth. Top weight Cosmic Burst has drawn well and been consistent in strong company. She tries blinkers for the first time and on her best effort should be right there. Elephant Matriarch found her best form over the course and distance last time out and a repeat should see her into the money again. Ginger Biscuit has shown her best recent form on the poly but is never far back.

Kom Naidoo is in for a busy afternoon as he saddles 22 runners and he could sign off in the final leg of the Pick 6 with Oversure. The Mogok colt has been racing in top company and although a little way off the best he should be competitive in this field. Restless Rogue won well at second time of asking and Anthony Delpech has good form for the Howells yard. He looks to have some scope. Of the others, Shogun is lightly raced and showed up well last run when returning from a lengthy break while Omega Onslaught has held form since coming out of the maidens and with a handy weight can also feature.

Andrew Harrison

Scottsville has a ten race meeting on Sunday and punters will have to do some careful studying to win the exotics as some of the races are wide open.

In the third race the Duncan Howells-rained Pippin could get punters place accumulators off to a good start. She has improved with blinkers and took a firm hold of the bit without over racing when handy over 1600m last time out before staying on well. She should enjoy this step down in trip as it should allow her to stride freely in the early stages from a good draw, perhaps in the lead. She will stay all the way to the line. Liberty Market will be a danger because last time out she had to overcome a wide draw over this course and distance and, despite taking a bump and over racing for a few strides early on in a slow run race, she still managed to come from the back with a strong run to finish less than a length behind the winner Gordon’s Cungee. she has a slightly better draw this time, although there looks to be a lack of pace again which could be her undoing, so Pippin is preferred.

The first leg of the Pick 6 is a lot more difficult to assess, especially considering two of the contenders, Purple Splash and Buck Eye, are returning from layoffs. However the eye catcher her is St Peter’s Bay, who stayed on well over 1200m at Greyville last time to finish just over five lengths behind the decent sort Palladium. Trainer Doug Campbell has gelded him since that race at the beginning of May and said he had improved for it. He added he was fit and well and expected him to run a good race.

Anthony Delpech (Liesl King)

The first leg of the Jackpot could be fought out between the form horse on paper, Chicago Beat, and the horse who hails from the stronger centre of Cape Town, Sun Dynasty. The latter, who hasn’t raced since April and has his first outing for Weiho Marwing, has proven to be suited to 1400m and should be running on strongly. However, Chicago Beat is preferred as he is still unexposed and a look at his recent run over 1200m at Scottsville as well as his pedigree suggests he will relish this step up to 1400m. Being by Silvano he should be improving all the time too and Anthony Delpech up is a further bonus, although he does have to jump from a wide draw in his first race around the turn.

The standout horse in the next race, Pearl Emblem, also has a wide draw to overcome and beyond her it is wide open. She has a four point raise for her recent win to overcome but loves this 1400m course and distance and goes well for this 4kg claimer. Trinity Hall and Le Chat D’Amour should go close from good draws. The enigmatic Putchini can never be written off, while the expensively purchased Ante Omnia looks to be limited so does not make much appeal despite the Dennis Drier yard being in devastating form and Anton Marcus being aboard.

The highest rated race of the day is the seventh, a MR 86 event over 1400m, and like most fillies and mares handicaps it is is potential stumbling  block in the exotics. Punters shouldn’t be fooled by Keagan de Melo taking the ride on Well In Flight in preference to stable jockey Sean Veale as the former does a lot of work for Drier and it was decided to give him this good ride as a reward. She once finished about three lengths behind Silver Mountain over this trip and she is the first choice.

The last leg of the Jackpot is also a fillies and mares handicap, so is tricky. Ginger Biscuit has done well in sprint races which have plenty of pace in them, like this one, so she should give a good account of herself. However, there is a concern the handicapper might have her measure at present as she earned this 79 merit ratings through two wins. She has had four runs since without seriously threatening to cross the line first, although she has been thereabouts. Cosmic Burst is a blinkers strike so has to be included as she appeared to be promising early on in her career. Elephant Matriarch earned her place in racing’s wonderful story hall of fame last year. She burst through the rails at Greyville with her hood still on before her wild run ended with a plunge into a lake on the golf course. The hero who abandoned his golf game and rescued her was by an amazing coincidence named Don Olifant. Dennis Bosch rated her at the time as a “beautiful filly” with a bright future. She should be coming into her own now as a four-year-old, so could possibly follow up on her recent course and distance win despite a three point raise in the merit ratings.

The last leg of the Pick 6 and PA is also a tough sprint handicap. Panza, Shogun, Roy’s Air Force, Over Sure and Out My Way make the most appeal to clinch the exotics for those who are still running.

David Thiselton

Quine can add another chapter to her chequered career in the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap at Kenilworth tomorrow.

This well bred Querari filly has won two out of three but there was a nine-month gap between her first two victories and in the Champagne last time she lost ground at the start while her rider came in reporting that she showed no interest in racing. Not exactly encouraging but the facts behind it all reveal a rather different picture.

“After winning first time she got loose on the track at home, did a cartwheel on the concrete, cut herself badly and fractured her pedal bone,” explains Andre Nel who had her ready to win on her return.

“In the Champagne three weeks ago she had so much against her – it was her second run after injury and she didn’t enjoy the soft ground. Even so she probably ran up to her rating.”

Nel, who had 53 winners in a brilliant first season as private trainer to Sabine Plattner, is worried that the going could again be detrimental to Aldo Domeyer’s mount. But the ground has been drying and no further rain is forecast before Sunday. Although she has an extra furlong to travel her pedigree suggests she will probably get it.

Andre Nel

Baroness Mary, 66-1 when a close-up fourth on debut, will probably start favourite in the first and looks the one to beat. “I thought she would run a good race the first time and the price was probably just due to the riding arrangements,” says Brett Crawford. “She has come on since then and I am again expecting her to run well.”

Corne Orffer takes over but it looks quite close with Contessa Fantasia ( a head in front of the selection three weeks ago) and Elusive Touch who was little more than two lengths further back despite running green. “We are excited about this filly and she has come on quite a bit,” reports Adam Marcus.

In race two Nel has a big chance with Ovar who beat Olympian a comfortable length and a half last time. But the Vaughan Marshall runner is 2kg better and Craig Bantam claims a further 4kg. That may swing the balance. Another to note here is Le Harve despite his four month absence.

Justin Snaith, three winners here on Tuesday, should take race three with Glorious Goodwood who threw away his chance when favourite six weeks ago by dropping his head when the pens opened and losing at least two lengths. The extra furlong should be in his favour.

The lightly raced but improving Eleadora has three lengths to find with Brinkley in a modest race for the 2 000m maiden and Paddy Kruyer’s filly gets only marginal preference.

William Longsword showed plenty of promise on both his starts and may be good enough to beat Hammie’s Game in the Quinte Plus Handicap despite this being his first run for three months.

Michael Clower

The Turffontein Standside course has an eight race meeting today and there are some fair sorts turning out who could help punters in their exotics.

In race 1, a maiden plate for three-year-olds over 1160m, Carol Master made a fair debut after finding a bit of betting support to shorten from 12/1 into 8/1 and with natural improvement should go close. Spanish Tune was not disgraced from a tricky draw around the turn over 1200m on debut and should improve. Jackman made a fair debut over course and distance and Gavin Lerena is an eyecatching booking. Muntu has improved with blinkers and has a shout. One Track was in season on debut and could improve. Plum British is a R225,000 purchase by Great Britain and makes most appeal of the first-timers.

In race 2, a maiden plate over 2000m, Thunder Applause pulled hard over 1800m last time but if allowed to go to the front this time could go close as he still stayed on quite well in the aforementioned event. Payne’s Grey ran a fair second last time over this trip from the identical draw and goes well for this jockey. Sergeant Pepper has improved with blinkers and should enjoy the long straight  of this course as he stays on well.

In race 3, a Graduation Plate over 1800m, Bankable Teddy is weighted to win comfortably and over this suitable trip with Lerena up she should do so as he proved last time out in a handicap over 2000m he is up to his merit rating. In The Cruise was disappointing in his last two starts but if reproducing his best over this suitable trip he could earn. Unagi was disappointing in a Gr 2 over 1400m on Vodacom Durban July day but if he reproduces his previous run, when winning a handicap  over 1600m at The Vaal in facile fashion, he could be a threat from pole position. His merit rating is likely capped having been given a maximum of eight points for that easy win but he is officially 8kg under sufferance with Bankable Teddy. Blazing Winter is on the up and on the evidence of his last win over 1450m should enjoy the trip. Hypothermic and Let It Rain have a tough task at the weights with Bankable Teddy and are more exposed than the three-year-olds.

In race 4, a MR74 Handicap over 1800m, Odd Rob is drawn in pole over an ideal course and distance and is the one to beat. Boy Boy is knocking on the door over this sort of trip and has proven competitive off this merit rating. Baracah is off a merit rating close to 40 points lower than his highest mark and he proved last time he is now competitive again and he should also be suited to the course and distance as one who runs on from off the pace.

In race 5, a MR 72 Handicap over 1400m, Gasoline has dropped to a competitive merit rating and has won over the course and distance, although the wide draw is a concern as he is a handy type. Nero has the blinkers off which might be a concern over this drop in trip but he is drawn in pole and has proven competitive off this merit rating. De Lujo is limited but is an honest sort and over a suitable course and

St John Gray

distance can earn from a plum draw. San Julian Bay has improved for this new yard and is not without a chance of following up on his maiden win over a suitable trip. Beza is under sufferance but finished fast over the inside 1450m course last time so could possibly earn here.

In race 6, a MR 87 Handicap over 1160m, William Nicol from the St John Gray yard has come into his own and could make it a hattrick. Thrust has been a bit disappointing lately but has class and is due a change of luck so could go close. Angel’s Power has been consistently close off this sort of merit rating over this sort of trip. Dennis The Menace can never be written off as one capable of producing a strong finish from off the pace. Zortziko is quick and is thus suited to this course and distance, although he is still six points higher than his last win despite his merit rating having dropped a couple of points from his last run.

In race 7, a MR 69 Handicap over 1160m, Ronin Warrior came back after being headed last time to win cosily, which suggested he had a bit in hand and off a 67 merit rating he could follow up on that maiden win. Pistolero ran on well to win last time and looks to be improving so could possibly handle a seven point raise. Aramouse is interesting over a drop in trip as one who has been handy before hanging in the latter stages over 1400m.

In race 8, a MR 92 Handicap for fillies and mares over 1000m, Speedy Gonvarlez is very quick so should enjoy the course and distance and she is better than her last run. Easy Game won her only start over course and distance and is only three points higher now in the merit ratings. Lumya proved her class over 1160m last time as well as her suitability to this course. Crown Of Roses has a big weight to lug but has earned it with her recent runs so should be thereabouts. Evening Breeze is better than her last effort when not striding out and if reproducing her penultimate run can go close. Tapaway can’t be ignored over a suitable course and distance.

David Thiselton

The Vaal has an eight race card on the outside track on Wednesday and the high draws are usually favourable on this course.

In race 1 over 1600m Stunned is the form choice having been used early last time from a wide draw over 1700m and still managing to stay on for second. The concern here is the unfavourable low draw and a decision will have to be made whether to use him up early again to try and overcome it or perhaps drop him out and attempt to find cover at the back as he looks capable of running on well. Tapenzee was well beaten in fifth on debut over 1450m but was green and was running on well after the penny had dropped. The form of that race looks quite good to date and he should improve, but he does have a tough draw. Seven Sovereigns has a plum draw and might enjoy the step up in trip having stayed on at one pace from an unfavourable draw over 1200m at the Vaal last time. He is a half-brother to an Al Mufti gelding who won twice over 1600m, but on the other hand he is by the speed influence Seventh Rock and two of his other siblings by Var and National Assembly respectively were decent sprinters, so it is not a certainty he will stay the trip. Excellency ran on in eyecatching fashion last time after a slow start over 1600m but he has a tough low draw here. Mr Tinsel also has a tricky draw but looks likely to relish the step up in trip and Gavin Lerena aboard is a further positive. Flying Fool went to the front over 1450m at Turffontein last time and stayed on for a fair fourth so could find the outside rail here with his early pace and being by Daring Bid, who won from 1600-2200m, he has a chance of staying the trip.

In race 2 over 1600m Counterstroke has a plum draw and looks likely to find the outside fence with the slow starting Excalivar outside of him. He is dropping in class and running off a reduced merit rating over an ideal trip, so could be the one to beat. Star Point’s best recent run was over this trip and on formlines a case could be made for him to beat Counterstroke. However, he is drawn one inside of him and will have a tougher task finding the rail. Royal Master has hard-knocking form off his present merit rating and is distance suited as well as having a 1,5kg claimer up so the only concern is his number one draw, although in a field of this size he could get away with being dropped out to the tail of the field.

In race 3 over 1600m Realist found little extra from near the front on debut but looks to be a nice type and stripping fitter here from a good draw she could go close in this weak field. Mike de Kock sends out an Irish-bred filly by the top class sire High Chaparral from a fair draw and she wouldn’t have to be a champion to beat this field. Tennesse Red could improve and if doing so should earn.

In race 4 over 1200m, Khetiwe over raced over 1400m last time so should appreciate the step down to 1200m and has the ability to win this uninspiring event. Nine OÇlock news is drawn on the right side and this improving sort should be running on into the money provided he starts quicker than he has been. Pippi Shortsock has the form to earn here over a suitable trip.

Race 5 over 1200m is a potential stumbling block for punters as it is wide open. Rivarine Forest has a tough low draw but can afford to be dropped out as she runs on well from off the pace. The consistent Our Miracle can overcome her low draw with her good early pace. Freely Forever was not striding out and made a breathing noise last time but if reproducing the form of her maiden win over 1000m here she will go close from a plum draw. Raring To Go won over course and distance last week and off a three point higher shouldn’t be far back from a good draw. Beautiful Shay is well drawn and over a trip on the sharp side should be running on, although she was given a five point raise for her win last time out over 1450m.

Gavin Lerena

In race 6 over 1400m Jubilee Line would prefer a lot further but is drawn on the ride side, has Gavin Lerena up and is easily the best in at the weights so is the one to beat running fresh. Nephrite was most disappointing last season after a promising two-year-old campaign but if bouncing back to form could earn here. Sky High Flyer won well second time out and although officially having a tough task at the weights with Jubilee Line (11kg under sufferance) he could rise above his current merit rating and will appreciate the step up in trip.

In race 7 over 1000m Ronin Warrior has been given a reasonable handicap mark after winning well over course and distance with a second time tongue tie. Tiger’s Legacy is four points higher for his win last time out, but that was his first attempt at this minimum trip for some time, so he has a shout from a plum draw.  Night Editor has won two from three since being stepped down to 1000m and has a chance again here despite a tough draw. Salute The Sun has the ability to win this and has a good draw. Striking Pose is a 1000m specialist and has dropped to a competitive merit rating.

In race 8 over 1000m the one to beat could be Wanted Man who made a good debut over course and distance and is well drawn. Flight Mode has a big shout too from a good draw over a suitable trip with Gavin Lerena up. Alpine Glacier, a first-timer by Var, is a full-brother to the speedy Valberg, who won easily on his debut over this course and distance, so Andrew Fortune is an interesting booking. Edgbaston could do well if reproducing the form of his penultimate start and he has every chance of doing so from a plum draw. Prince Of Savoy has speed and should be involved here. Miesque’s Rumba ran a fair race last time over this trip and if this slow starter is dropped to the back from a low draw he could earn.

David Thiselton

Greg Cheyne, having bounced back to win on his return at Kenilworth on Saturday, can go in again on Emerald Gal in the Quinte Plus Maiden at the Cape Town course today.

The Darryl Hodgson-trained four-year-old steps up to a mile after three runs over 1 200m and the extra distance is significant. Although the Irish-bred is out of a six furlong winner by the sprinter Johannesburg she is by Galileo who wanted a mile and a half.

Her form so far suggests promise rather than proven ability but the extra distance could swing the balance. She is reasonably priced at 7-2 and the sahorseracing computer has her winning by a neck and the same from the three-year-olds Figure Of Grey and Keep The Faith. The former is favourite at 33-10 with World Sports Betting but is drawn widest of all so the Vaughan Marshall runner looks a bigger danger at 7-2. Silver Laurel (4-1) is the highest rated horse in the race.

Purple Tractor can get punters off to a winning start in the Welcome Maiden. He beat all except Power Grid on his last run and the winner really franked the form by going on to win convincingly on his handicap debut last Saturday.

Don’t be put off by Corne Orffer riding the stable’s newcomer Give It Away instead. Brett Crawford confirms that Francois Herholdt partners the 22-10 favourite because he rode him last time – and the colt will not want for anything from the saddle.

The Marshall horses are on song and evens favourite Rock Of Africa is hard to oppose in race two. He started slowly when second at Greyville and had the third over five lengths back when occupying the same spot at Scottsville. Crawford’s 5-1 chance Pop The Question looks next best.

Andrew Fortune thought he had got up when Logan finished strongly last time and the former champion’s mount appeals at 4-1 in the Play The Bipot Maiden.  William The Brave, a full brother to the  2010 Cape Derby winner Bravura, is 22-10 favourite but he is badly drawn, as is 3-1 shot King Of The Rally, while Edict Of Nantes (33-10) has losses to recover after racing green on the bend when starting favourite 17 days ago.

Overshadow is a warm order at 16-10 for the Racing.It’s A Rush Handicap but Richard Fourie’s mount only got up on the line last time and has been put up 2kg. Top weight Waiting For Rain (5-2) has been raised 3kg for his win and so Kirumbo is suggested at 5-1.

The Marshall-trained Mr Jay (33-10) appeals in the last with Fortune in the irons. Boldly Respectable (7-2) and 11-2 chance I Travel Light look the principal dangers.

Michael Clower