David Thiselton
HOLLYWOODBETS SCOTTSVILLE’S FESTIVAL OF SPEED meeting is the only one in the country to stage a Jackpot of Grade 1s and this TAB exotic is always well supported.
The first leg is the Allan Robertson Championship for two-year-old fillies and Sheela, one of two possible meeting bankers, runs here. Mike Azzie called her the best filly he had trained since Harry’s Charm, who won seven of her first eight starts in the 1990s including two Grade 1s. Sheela, by new sire The United States (Galileo), has proved it by winning easily on debut despite being squeezed out at the start and then winning the Grade 2 SA Nursery against the boys, beating the talented Smorgasbord with the rest of a well performed field in a different race. In form twice SA champion jockey S’Manga Khumalo takes the ride. The chief danger could be another filly unbeaten in two starts, Sound Of Warning, who is trained by Sean Tarry, who has won a total of twelve Grade 1s at Hollywoodbets Scottsville. This filly recorded a faster time than Good Traveller, second favourite for the Gold Medallion, when winning the Strelitzia Stakes over 1100m here last time out. Stablemate Under Your Spell disappointed in the SA Fillies Nursery but had a tough draw and she had looked all class before that so can bounce back. SA Fillies Nursery winner Heaven’s Girl had been defeated twice by Under Your Spell before that but is improving and can be in the shake up. Super Siri has to be respected coming from Cape Town form. Crimson Causeway and Opening Shower are dark horses to consider.
In the Gold Medallion Gimme A Prince, whose mother Real Princess won a Grade 1 at this meeting, hardly came off the bit when winning over course and distance on debut and won with ears pricked so he will be hard to beat and is the other possible banker. The Tarry-trained Pyromaniac makes appeal too having won both of his starts well and as one with stout breeding he should relish the testing nature of this course. It’s About Time won well second time out at Kenilworth and is the dark horse. Ambiorix, Gallic Chief and Irfaan’s Boy make most appeal of the rest.
In the SA Fillies Sprint True To Life is in devastating form and can produce her strong on the back of her high cruising speed to win. Vernichey was unlucky in the Computaform Sprint when just a length behind True To Life and she won the Allan Robertson last year so knows her way around this course. Winter Smoke finished a fine third against the boys in the Listed In Full Flight Stakes last time over 1100m here and should be right there. Ecstatic Green bounced back to form last time and was a narrow runner up in the Allan Robertson last year. Sarah finished second to the smart Celestial Love last time and that puts her in with a shout here. Sweet Future was third in that race and has scope for improvement. Mind Reader is the dark horse as one who has blossomed into a powerhouse sprinter and although all her wins have been over 1000m she has often won going away. Vihaan’s Pie comes off a good win here. Singforafa, Gallic Princess and Tropic Sun are hard to ignore.
In the Golden Horse Sprint Battle Force is officially 2.5kg under sufferance but his merit rating is likely capped as he has been given maximum eight point raises for his last two wins. He is all power and is the one to beat. Vars Vicky has been targeted at this race and makes most appeal as the danger. However, it is as open as usual. Cartel Captain, MK’S Pride, No Laying Up, Chimichuri Run, Ultra Magnus, Bohica, Kasimir and Captain Tatters all warrant consideration.
