Andrew Harrison

Alec Laird has seen opportunity at Hollywoodbets Scottsville today where he saddles two lively contenders in the Gr3 Track and Ball Derby and the Gr2 Track and Ball Oaks.

The races are Derby and Oaks in name only as both races are open to older horses with Pamushana’s Pride and Legitimate the only three-year-olds in the Derby and Jasmine the sole sophomore representative in the Oaks.

That said, Laird looks to have picked the right race for Pamushana’s Pride as the son of former Triple Crown winner Louis The King is rated way better than his older rivals – on paper at least.

The gelding stays well and only found Triple Crown winner Malmoos too strong for him in the SA Derby. Prior to that he had reeled off three straight wins against older opposition. Given that he is well in at the weights with a plum draw he must rate the horse to beat. 

Fellow three-year-old Legitimate ran a cracked in a sprint in his KZN debut after being a close-up second in the Politician Stakes at Kenilworth behind Kommetdieding. His Cape Derby run is possibly best ignored and one can expect a big showing from Dean Kannemeyer’s runner.

Of the older brigade, Silver Host stays the trip well and caught the eye last time out when running out of steam late behind Black Nap in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup. That was his first run back since the end of January and although the stable is off the boil at the moment, that last run should have brough him on nicely. This outing should also bring him on for the likes of the Gr2 Gold Vase and Gr3 Gold Cup later in the season.

Marchingontogether showed signs of returning to form last run and has been dropping steadily in the handicap while Share Holder has been racing in useful company. He does stay the trip and can feature.

Crome Yellow ran a disappointing race in the Lonsdale behind Black Nap but that was also his first run back from a lengthy break and he is likely to come on lengths from that showing.

Laid sends out the best weighted in the mare Chitengo in the Gr2 Track and Ball Oaks. Her last win came three runs back in the Aquanaut Handicap where she had Smoking Hot, scratched today, behind her. She was not able to keep pace with the progressive Puerto Manzano at the business end of her last race over a distance short of her best but she stays well and she rates a strong winning chance.

 Three-year-old Jasmine goes this trip for the first time but has been feature placed. She is lightly raced and if she stays, she could be a big runner given that she is the second best rated filly in the race behind Chitengo.

The Track and Ball Umlazi Pinnacle Stakes is a difficult race with many in with chances. Chantyman is a distance specialist and could get things his own way with a number of quick horses in the field. However, he is drawn towards the inside of the track and horses coming from off the pace have recently found serious traffic as runners shift in towards the inside rail.

Valyrian King his drawn one inside of Chantyman but Paul Matchett’s runner shows exceptional pace so will in all likelihood be in the vanguard inside the first furlong. He doesn’t stop either which could make things difficult for the opposition. A gate inside of Valyrian King is Constable making his KZN debut and he is also quick.

Good Rhythm is always game and goes very well this course and distance. With a 4kg claimer up he must also rate a strong chance. Vernichey is a class filly but does have a big weight. She will have been primed for the SA Fillies Sprint so a ‘flat’ race is a concern. Stable companion Candy Galore has a light weight and was close-up under a big weight last run over course and distance while the one-eyed Traces is no slouch in the galloping stakes.