A five-time winner, Pure Valor lines up for Lowan Denneyschen in the Itsarush.co.za Handicap over 2000m that heads a seven-race card on the Greyville poly this evening where he looks to have an excellent chance of confirming the form with recent Michael Roberts Handicap winner Mr Winsome.

Mr Winsome was narrowly denied when last the two met but the handicappers may have caught up with him as Dean Kannemeyer’s runner meets Pure Valor on 1.5kg worse terms for a short-head over this evening’s course and distance.

Although Mr Winsome rattled home from a long way back to win the Michael Roberts Handicap at Scottsville, he has 62kg to shoulder this evening giving Pure Valor 9kg, and given luck in running Pure Valor should have his measure.

But they are not the only two in the mix. Persian Rug, unlucky last season when pecking at a crucial stage of the Gr1 Thekwini Stakes, has found it tough going since. The form of last year’s sophomore fillies crop has proven suspect but the strapping daughter of Ideal World may well take a new lease on life on the polytrack. Mike de Kock’s runner made her debut on the surface in a strong field over a distance palpably short of her best, but stepped up in trip for her next outing, she romped home ahead of New Zealand-bred Killer Woman.

She does take a steep rise in class here with a big weight to shoulder but she has the frame to cope with both and although taking on males must be in with a chance. Top weight Kitty’s Destiny ran below form last time out but in spite of a big weight he seems best on the poly and cannot be written off lightly.

Kannemeyer looks to have a lively contender in the Soccer 6 Handicap where he saddles the promising Night Circus. Much improved when tried in blinkers last time out, easily beating stable companion Tanjiro, he meets little of note here and should be good enough to follow up.

Tony Nassif makes a habit of raiding from the Highveld with horses with seemingly modest form only to put the locals to the sword. The veteran trainer did not come down with the last shower of rain – whenever that was – and Icy Avalanche could prove a threat to the likely favourite. His last win was over course and distance starting at odds of 55-1 which is more than enough evidence.

Kali’s King was given a break after shedding his maiden and has improved in blinkers while For Ever is better than his last two and goes well this course and distance.

If the weather gurus are to be believed Scottsville should have some relief from the blistering recent weather over the weekend with the meeting on Sunday. With possible thunder storms predicted for tomorrow night and Sunday evening the lightning fast going could revert to normal and bathing costumes can dry out ready for next week’s predicted heatwave.

An interesting Pinnacle Stakes event heads the card with some veterans looking to pay their way and a pair of sophomores, notably Legend and Roy’s Magic, looking to make their mark.

Night Trip has shown up well in two recent sprints but goes well this trip and can defy top weight with the wily Anton Marcus aboard. Alistair Gordon has had the world of trouble with Royal Life but the gelding is useful on his day and although the form of his last run has been a little suspect he will go close on his best effort.

Legend is a smart horse and just how he fares could give some indication of whether he is Champions Season material. However, he has been rested and gelded since his last win and is likely to need this outing while stable companion Roy’s Magic is far better than his last two. He has a light weight and a plum draw and if ‘putting it in’ will also be a strong contender.

By Andrew Harrison