Scottsville has a low key eight race meeting on Sunday which follows hot on the heels of tonight’s meeting at Greyville, so punters are in for another rollercoaster weekend.

In tonight’s meeting the tips are Barbosa to beat Viva La Var in the first, Township Talk to beat Forest in the second, Khonza to beat Deeyala and Swan Dance in the third, Taku Wind to beat Shine Up and Texican in the fourth, Miss Stingray to beat Quintella in the fifth, Baracah to beat Bold Inspiration and Master Archer in the sixth, Variety Romp to beat Mambo Mime in the seventh, and Hold The Line to beat Salesman, Harrison, Var’s Dream and Delicious Damowin in the eighth.

At Scottsville Protea Power could open proceedings with Anthony Delpech up as this National Emblem colt drops back to the trip of his excellent penultimate start and is better drawn this time. Bagger Vance also ran well in his penultimate start over course and distance behind a top class sort and could be a threat if returning to form, having felt amiss on the Greyville poly last time. New Hampshire stayed on well behind a classy sort last time over course and distance and should be doing so again from a high draw.

In the second over 1200m, Tide Is Turning ran a decent sixth in the Gr 2 Debutante over 1200m after two good runs before that and is the one to beat here from draw one with a 4kg claimer up. Finding Alice represents a raiding yard which is in fine form and she hasn’t been disgraced behind two classy horses in her two career outings, although a concern is that she made a breathing noise last time. Ding Ding made a fair debut when green over 1000m at Scottsville and with natural improvement should be concerned in the finish over a step up in trip she should enjoy.

In the third over 1600m Lighting The Fire has been knocking on the door over sprints and is bred to go this trip and further, so is tipped to win. Dukes Drift has run two fair races over 1200m and will relish the step up in trip. Sheriff Hood improved last time over 1400m and the penny appears to have dropped, so he should be running on again.

In the fourth over 1600m Zilla ran on strongly last time over 1400m from way back to finish second to a promising sort and on that evidence will enjoy the step up in trip. Bois Cheri didn’t get a hundred percent clear run last time when staying on over 1400m here and she now has Delpech up from pole position over a step up in trip she should enjoy. Chapel House ran a fair race over course and distance last time and could earn in this uninspiring field.

In the fifth over 2400m Your Worship has continued to be consistent outside of the maidens and is drawn well over an ideal course and distance with the good jockey Keagan de Melo aboard. Barbarian ran a good race over 1950m here las time and on breeding could get this trip, although a concern was that he pulled up blowing and fatigued. Jay Boy could be interesting over this trip as one who stayed on well to win from the front over 2000m on the poly last time, because from a good draw he might get a tow from Eco Storm. The latter won well from the front over course and distance last time and is only 2kg higher in the merit ratings. Battle Hammer is course and distance suited and will be 4,5kg better off with Eco Storm for a 3,55 length beating despite his 4kg claimer carrying 2kg overweight.

In the sixth over 1950m Pioneer Spirit won well over course and distance last time and being by Go Deputy, whose progeny come into their own at this age, she could follow up with a 4kg claimer aboard. Stablemate Qatar Springs is also course and distance suited and has some excellent form so should be right there with a 4kg claimer up. Worship Dancer always catches the eye and has some hard-knocking form and Eva Tibbs and Mamasita must be considered too.

In the seventh over 1400m Joan Ranger impressed last time over this trip and is drawn well with Delpech up in this Novice Plate for fillies and mares where she is well treated at the weights on official merit ratings. Pacifica is the best in at the weights on official merit ratings and hasn’t been disgraced in her last two against good sorts so could go close from a good draw over a step up in trip which should suit. Well In Flight looks a decent sort in the making but has a tough draw in her first time around the turn. Shezaleader has been knocking on the door over course and distance and could earn. Pearl Emblem ran a cracker over 1200m last time and has won over course and distance before so should be thereabouts despite this being her second run after a layoff and jumping from a wide draw. Intergalactic is an improving sort who was hampered over this trip on the poly last time so can’t be ignored.

In the last over 1000m, Respect At Bay has a 4kg claimer up and is interesting in her first turf start as one with fine form over sprints on the Greyville poly. Lady Penrhyn is well regarded and has plenty of pace so should go close from a favourable draw. Sorbonne went close over course and distance last time and now has a more favourable draw, so should be thereabouts.

By David Thiselton

Picture: Pioneer Spirit (Nkosi Hlophe)