Andrew Harrison

Hollywoodbets Scottsville hardly received a drop while Hollywoodbets Greyville was drowning in a monsoon last week. For various logistical reasons and a short time frame it was not possible to shift last Sunday’s meeting to Scottsville but the Kings Cup has been rescheduled for the Capital City track this Sunday.

The Scottsville track has been in mint condition these past few months and punters should be treated to competitive racing this afternoon where the card is headed by the Natal Property Consultants Handicap, fifth on the card.

It is a tricky contest but Dennis Drier saddles Botz who has only had two starts. He has been given a break in between those runs so he obviously has issues but he won his maiden well and looks to have plenty of scope. Runners from this yard are seldom short of a gallop when returning from lay-offs. Corinne Bestel saddles the tough campaigner and course specialist Blaze Of Silk but he does appear to be at his optimum over five furlongs and the extra furlong could just find him out. The same goes for Kom Naidoo’s runner Faustino but he has a 2.5kg claimer up which could mitigate. Paul Peter raids with Super Agra that has improved at recent outings in blinkers and the trip will suit. Iron Tail and Bernie’s Dream are others to consider.

There are many unraced juveniles in the first but of those that have run, Sabatini made marked improvement at long odds in her second start and could go one better although she will face tough opposition from Get In The Q who showed good pace on debut behind the promising Princess Ozma and this shorter trip should suit. Morgan La Fay and Totally Rocks could prove pick of the first timers. In the second, Willie The Wizzard was a beaten favourite last run. He has improved in blinkers and could be better suited to this shorter trip. Trident King was a touch disappointing when tried over further last run but is back over a more suitable trip with first time blinkers while Khanyisa Indlela has improved with each outing. He was finishing off his race nicely last start and should be ripe for this race.

Raspberry Beret looks the part in a weak maiden in the third. She has shown some ability and although she goes this trip for the first time the extra could suit. Ajraas was never in the hunt last run when the field was led a merry dance. A change of tactics could see her in the firing line.

The fourth is a wide open handicap but Airbuzz had a tricky draw when going 14500m last start and was not far back. She has better form this trip and Yeni is back aboard. Diamond Girl is hardly ever out of the money but has been dropped two points in the ratings while Yata was a recent maiden winner but is lightly raced and still has scope to make an impression in this line-up.

The sixth is another tricky affair but Lord Wylie took on much stronger in a six-furlong sprint last start and was not far off the winner. He will much prefer this trip. Runaway Song was a recent maiden winner but the form has held up and he could still be under the handicapper’s radar. Northern Warrior is seldom far off them of late and is in with a shout along with Indus Knight who boasts some useful Highveld form and from pole position draw should have a shout in this line-up.

Veteran Palace Wind has come to hand and ran a cracker over the distance last time out. With a claiming apprentice up, he should feature prominently. Laurel Lane takes on males but has improved in blinkers. She did well to finish close-up from a difficult draw last start and should run a big race.

An exotic bet banker in the last leg can be nerve jangling should you get that far but Mckenna Skye looks the part in the eighth. She is smart and goes well over course and distance. She was runner-up at her last start to stable companion Roha. Of the locals, Princess Donelly has hardly put a foot wrong since joining her new yard. Her recent form is all in the soft but given the recent rains she should make her presence felt again. Gavin van Zyl’s runner Bingin Beach has yet to finish out of the money and is lightly raced. Stable loyalty could be the choice between Bingin Beach and Mckenna Skye for Warren Kennedy. The grey Tupelo Honey is a dangerous front runner but all of her recent form has been on the poly and she has cracked the widest draw.